THE INCIDENT of bullying at the Ateneo Junior High School captured in a video showing a student beating another inside one of the campus’ comfort rooms should be viewed with alarm. On the other hand, the public must exercise a higher level of understanding on this very sensitive issue as it involves two minors, and avoid prejudices or actions which may not be in any way helpful.
The school is considered a second home of children. It should be a place where they can learn, play, hone skills and exercise critical thinking. However, the incident is a clear and disturbing testament that despite efforts to put up measures that purport to promote child-friendly, safe and nurturing spaces for learning, bullying in schools continue to happen. We are again reminded of our responsibility to battle bullying in schools – a reflection of the prevailing culture of violence that happen in many forms and contexts.
In cases like what happened in Ateneo, schools must immediately, appropriately and impartially address the concern and provide necessary assistance and guidance not only for the offended children but also for the children who committed the bullying. The best way to discipline bully children is to help them recognize their mistakes, take responsibility for their actions and learn how to change their aggressive behavior. The key to fulfilling this is to understand deeper the context of the bullying.
While public outrage towards the bullying incident is understandable, everyone must avoid actions that embolden the culture of violence. By inciting harm against children bullies and their families, we are unwittingly committing the same act of bullying that we are supposedly condemning.
Meanwhile, the public should all the more heighten its vigilance against bigger bullies occupying various positions in government and who promote the culture of violence, misogyny and disregard for human life, rights and dignity.
