Smaller classes, more support staff needed for effective anti-bullying policy

To ensure the effective enforcement of the newly released Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, a teachers' group on Aug. 6, urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement critical structural reforms—starting with smaller class sizes and the hiring of sufficient guidance counselors and support staff.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

While the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines welcomed the updated IRR as a step toward safer learning environments, the group warned that the policy risks falling short without addressing longstanding issues such as teacher workload, chronic understaffing, and the shortage of mental health professionals in schools.

"Safe schools are not built through policy alone," said ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua. "They are built by investing in the welfare of teachers, empowering support staff, and ensuring that every child—regardless of background—can thrive in a caring, well-equipped environment," he added.

ACT noted that while the revised anti-bullying guidelines are a positive development, the absence of support systems means that teachers will once again be burdened with responsibilities beyond their capacity.

Guidance counselor shortage

ACT highlighted that the national average of one guidance counselor per 14,000 students remains far from the international recommendation of one per 250.

The group called for the immediate hiring of guidance counselors, learner support aides, and school nurses to provide the psychosocial interventions needed to address bullying in schools.

"These professionals are crucial to ensuring that anti-bullying protocols are grounded in real psychosocial support—not merely administrative compliance," ACT said.