The Senate Committee on Basic Education, chaired by Senator Win Gatchalian, has commenced an inquiry into the growing incidents of bullying and violence in public schools.

As the committee chair, Gatchalian emphasized that the public hearing will review the Department of Education’s (DepEd) current preventive measures in response to these alarming incidents.

Recently, a troubling case in a Quezon City public school involved female students bullying a classmate by pulling her hair. Additionally, Gatchalian raised concerns over a recent stabbing incident in Parañaque City that tragically led to the death of a 14-year-old Grade 8 student.

“These recurring incidents of violence involving students are deeply troubling. We cannot allow violence to become the norm in our schools. It is critical to address these issues to ensure the safety and well-being of our students,” Gatchalian said.

The senator stressed the importance of delivering comprehensive programs on anti-bullying, counseling, and mental health. He highlighted the need to fully implement the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which mandates the creation of a School-Based Mental Health Program. This program will include services such as screening, evaluation, mental health first aid, crisis response, and prevention programs aimed at supporting students’ emotional and developmental needs.