Law Summary
Scope and Prohibited Acts Under School Policies
- All elementary and secondary schools must adopt policies addressing bullying regularly updated.
- Policies must prohibit bullying on school grounds, activities, bus, and adjacent properties.
- Cyberbullying is included, regardless of technology ownership, if it affects the school environment or education.
- Retaliation against reporters or witnesses of bullying is prohibited.
Disciplinary Measures and Rehabilitation
- Schools must identify disciplinary actions proportional to the bullying or retaliation severity.
- Perpetrators are required to undergo rehabilitation programs administered by the school.
- Parents are encouraged to participate in rehabilitation efforts.
Reporting and Investigation Procedures
- Clear procedures for reporting, investigating bullying or retaliation are mandated.
- Priority on quickly restoring safety and assessing protection needs for victims.
- Safeguards to protect reporters and witnesses from retaliation.
- Counseling or referral services must be available for perpetrators, victims, and relevant family members.
Anonymous Reporting and False Accusations
- Policies must allow anonymous reporting with the caveat that discipline cannot be based solely on anonymous reports.
- Deliberate false accusations are subject to disciplinary action.
Education and Transparency Requirements
- Schools must educate students, parents, and guardians on bullying dynamics and school policies.
- Anti-bullying policies must be included in handbooks, copies given to students and parents, posted conspicuously at school and online if available.
- Department of Education (DepED) to incorporate anti-bullying training for school personnel.
Responsibility for Implementation and Immediate Reporting
- School principals or comparable officials have accountability for enforcing policies.
- Any staff, student, parent, or volunteer must report bullying immediately to designated authorities.
- Upon report, prompt investigation is required.
Actions Upon Bullying Confirmation
- Notification to law enforcement if criminal offenses are suspected.
- Disciplinary action against perpetrators.
- Inform parents or guardians of both victims and perpetrators.
- Coordination between schools if multiple schools’ students are involved.
Reporting Obligations to Authorities
- Schools must notify their school division superintendents in writing about adopted policies within six months.
- Annual reporting of bullying incidents and retaliation statistics to division superintendents.
- Division superintendents consolidate reports to DepED Secretary, who reports to Congressional education committees.
Sanctions for Non-Compliance
- The DepED Secretary will impose administrative sanctions on school administrators who fail to comply.
- Private schools risk suspension of their permits to operate for non-compliance.
Rulemaking and Implementation
- DepED must promulgate implementing rules and regulations within 90 days after the law’s effectivity.
Severability Clause
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions remain effective.
Repealing Clause
- Inconsistent or contrary laws, rules, or regulations are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The law takes effect 15 days after publication in at least two national newspapers of general circulation.