Acts constituting bullying in schools

Acts constituting bullying in schools "I am a mother of an 11-year-old child. I was asked by my child’s adviser to go to the principal’s office next week due to a bullying incident involving my child. The incident took place inside the school premises. What are the acts committed by minor students that can be considered bullying? MaribethDear Maribeth, To answer your question, we shall refer to Republic Act 10627 (An Act Requiring All Elementary And Secondary Schools To Adopt Policies To Prevent And Address The Acts Of Bullying In Their Institutions), which provides:“Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the ‘Anti-Bullying Act of 2013’. “Section 2. Acts of Bullying. – For purposes of this Act, “bullying” shall refer to any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property creating a hostile environment at school for the other student infringing on the rights of the other student at school or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school such as, but not limited to, the following:“a. Any unwanted physical contact between the bully and the victim like punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks, inflicting school pranks, teasing, fighting and the use of available objects as weapons “b. Any act that causes damage to a victim’s psyche and/or emotional well-being“c. Any slanderous statement or accusation that causes the victim undue emotional distress like directing foul language or profanity at the target, name-calling, tormenting and commenting negatively on victim’s looks, clothes and body and“d. Cyber-bullying or any bullying done through the use of technology or any electronic means. xxx” (Emphases supplied)Applying the said law in your question, bullying refers to any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property creating a hostile environment at school for the other student infringing on the rights of the other student at school or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school. We hope that we were able to answer your queries. Please be reminded that this advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/