Prohibited acts falling under BULLYING are as follows:

• Any unwanted physical contact between the Bully (the student who commits the acts of bullying) and the Victim (the bullied) – the student who experiences the acts of bullying or retaliation like punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, tickling, headlocks, inflicting school pranks, teasing, fighting and the use of available objects as weapons.
• Any act that causes damage to a victim’s psyche (personality) and/ or emotional well-being.
• Any slanderous statement or accusations, foul language or profanity, name-calling, tormenting, negative comments on the victim’s looks, clothes and body that causes the victim undue emotional distress.
• Cyber-bullying done through the use of technology or any electronic means such as texting, e-mail, instant messaging, chatting, internet, social media, on-line games or other forms of media owned, leased or used by school.
• Social bullying which refers to any deliberate, repetitive and aggressive social behavior intended to hurt or belittle another individual or group.
• Gender based Bullying which refers to any act that humiliates/ excludes a person on the basis of perceived or actual sexual orientation and gender identity. (SOGI)

The school’s anti-bullying policy prohibits bullying at the following:

• Classrooms/ School Grounds
• Property immediately adjacent to school grounds.
• School-sponsored or school-related activities, functions or programs on or off school grounds or not school-related and through the use of technology or electric device or other form of media that is owned, leased or used by the school.
• School bus/ jeepney stops.
• School buses or other vehicles that may be owned, leased or used by the school.

Anti-bullying also prohibits retaliation against a Bystander or a person who reports bullying, who provides information during an investigation of bullying or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying. Complaints of bullying shall be within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Department or the private schools and shall not be brought for amicable settlement before the Barangay, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. Complaints for acts covered by other laws shall be referred to appropriate authorities.

After a bullying accident or retaliation has been witnessed and reported to proper authorities, the following shall be done:

• A fact-finding investigation shall be conducted on the Bully and the Victim separately to determine the level of threat and the intervention strategies to adopt.
• Inform the parents/ guardians to discuss the incident/ complaint and the steps to be taken to prevent any further bullying.
• Inform the Child Protection Committee (CPC) for proper interventions.
• Maintain a public record of incidents of bullying and retaliation.

If an incident of bullying or retaliation involves students from more than one school, the school that was first informed of the bullying or retaliation shall promptly notify the appropriate administrator or school head of the other school so that both schools may take appropriate action.

Dismissal for Disciplinary Reason takes place as follows:

• A careful investigation of the case has been undertaken by the Office.
• Dialogue has been conducted with the student and his/her parents for them to present their side of the matter.
• Pertinent warning has been given in writing after investigation of the student and after talking to the parent.
• Dismissal/ Decision in writing is implemented after the 3rd written warning except for cases where dismissal may be automatic.

Teachers and other School Personnel are tasked to participate and cooperate in all prevention, intervention and other measures related to bullying implemented by the school. Students shall avoid or refrain from any act of bullying.

A Child Protection Committee (CPC) shall be established in the school to handle bullying cases. It is composed of the School Directress, School Principal, Actg. Guidance Coordinator, Representative of the Teachers, Representative of the Parents and Representative of the Students.

Any information relating to the identity and personal circumstances of the Bully, Victim, Bystanders shall be treated with utmost confidentiality by the CPC and other School Personnel though the names may be available to the School Head or Administrator, Guidance Coordinator and parents/ guardians of students who have been victims of bullying or retaliation.

Any school personnel who commits a breach of confidentiality shall be subject to appropriate administrative disciplinary action in accordance with the existing rules of the school or of the Department of Education without prejudice any civil or criminal action.

Should it be necessary, the School Head or the CPC may refer the Victim/ Bully to trained professionals outside the school, such as social workers, psychologists, Guidance Counselors, or child protection specialists for further assessment and appropriate intervention measures.

In cases where appropriate criminal charges need to be pursued against the Bully, the School Personnel shall notify the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk (WCPD) of the Local Philippine National Police.