DepEd program a timely answer to bullying in schools

Bullying has long haunted Philippine schools, leaving scars that go beyond bruises and disciplinary records.

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For many children, it breeds fear, anxiety, and a deep mistrust of institutions meant to protect them. This is why the Department of Education's (DepEd) rollout of the Kaagapay Program, which formally invites parents to become partners in anti-bullying and mental health efforts, deserves strong public support and vigilant implementation.

Launched Jan. 12, Kaagapay institutionalizes the role of parents, guardians, and caregivers as co-educators under DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026. With a P100-million nationwide allocation, the program recognizes a simple but often neglected truth: schools cannot fight bullying and mental distress alone. As Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized, the family is a critical part of a learner's support system. When schools and families work together, learners are better protected, and teachers are no longer left to carry the burden by themselves.