Pangasinan schools to watch out for bullying on first day of school

 

Bullying will be one of the things the Department of Education and school authorities will look out for when the new school year starts on Monday, June 1.

 

In San Carlos City in Pangasinan, school officials cited information showing bullying is likely to be most rampant on the first day of classes, GMA Dagupan's Joyce Segui, Jasmin Gabriel and Joanne Ponsoy reported Friday.

 

They are also likely to check the situation of transferees, who are believed to be the most likely victims of bullying.

 

One student who had been bullied recalled being made to hand over money, and being threatened with possible harm outside the school premises.

 

"Kinonotongan po nila ako... Kapag hindi ako nagbigay babantayan raw nila ako palabas nang school," he said.

 

At the San Carlos Central II Elementary School, data from its guidance office suggested those most likely to be bullied are students in Grades 1 to 3, with the bullies most likely from Grades 5 and 6.

 

Meanwhile, the DepEd will also be on the alert for instances of corporal punishment.

 

Balik-Eskwela

 

Meanwhile, other preparations for the start of classes include Balik-Eskwela information and help desks.

 

"Tulungan lahat ng mga mag-aaral at mga magulang upang mapadali ang pagbabalik nila sa eskwela. Kung minsan may mga magta-transfer, ano yung mga kailangan, ano yung mga gagawin, tutulungan namin sila," said Balik-Eskwela information and help desk officer-in-charge Linda Ventenilla.

 

For her part, assistant schools division superintendent OIC Lourdes Servito reminded schools on the no-collection policy, meaning students should not be made to pay fees when enrolling.

 

The Pangasinan provincial police will also deploy personnel for assistance and traffic management. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News