Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday announced the Senate Committee on Basic Education will launch an inquiry into the rising cases of bullying and violence in public schools.
“The series of violent incidents in our public schools involving the students themselves is alarming,” Gatchalian said.
The inquiry will evaluate the Department of Education’s (DepEd) current policies and how effectively they prevent such incidents.
Gatchalian raised the alarm following a viral video showing several female students taking turns pulling another student’s hair at Bagong Silangan High School in Quezon City. He also cited a fatal stabbing in Parañaque, where a 14-year-old Grade 8 student was killed by a classmate after an argument.
The senator emphasized the need for stronger anti-bullying programs, mental health support, and accessible counseling services in schools.
He said these services should be delivered through full implementation of Republic Act 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
“We cannot allow violence to become normal in our schools, which is why it’s important to ensure we put an end to it for the safety and well-being of our students,” Gatchalian concluded.