EDUCATION Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara was one of the authors of the Anti Bullying Law of 2013. Alarmed by studies showing the Philippines as the "bullying capital" of the world and that Filipino youth are among the loneliest, he wants a closer monitoring of the schools' "anti-bullying policy."

Angara said that President Marcos Jr. was worried about a Singapore study that showed our youth as among the world's loneliest. Apparently, the President was referring to a recent Mega-Gallup report that showed the country's Generation Z are the world's second loneliest and the most lonely in Southeast Asia.

The country was also ranked in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey as the bullying capital of the world, according to Karol Mark Yee, executive director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education or Edcom 2.

Generation Z members are those born between 1997 and 2012. It is the first generation to have fully grown up in the world of smartphones and social media, according to the report.

"Each school is required by law to have an anti-bullying policy, but the law did not say how strict they have to be," Angara said, referring to the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013. He added that very few schools have an anti-bullying policy. He was alarmed by news reports that at one time, cases of bullying rose to 20,000.

Yee said bullying also has a negative effect on students' academic performance.

But the implementer of the Anti-Bullying Act in the schools is the guidance counselor. Unfortunately, we have vacancies upwards of 5,000 for plantilla positions guidance counselors in the public schools.

The position requires a master's degree, but no schools are currently offering such a degree in the country today. "To fill all of the vacancies, it will take us 14 years by the current setup," Yee said. Studies have shown that those who were bullied received poor grades in mathematics, science and reading.

"The Filipino students feel that they don't belong and they are the loneliest... [The study] made an imprint on President Marcos, and that's why he said that we should address this issue," Yee said.

To address bullying, Marcos directed the Department of Education to make sure that students have "someone to turn to" when they have problems. As to cyber bullying, Angara said the DepEd is also continuing its policy on the use of cellphones inside the classrooms.

"Part of the teachers' duty is to explain to the students the proper use of technology and cell phones. It includes learning to deal critically with the news, since not everything that you read on the cellphone is true," Angara said.

Bullying casts long shadows over students' academic performance, mental health and overall-well-being. Following best practices overseas, what else can we do to face this challenge?

Schools should actively promote values of kindness and understanding through curriculum integration, school-wide activities, and modeling positive behavior. Programs that celebrate diversity, whether in socioeconomic background or sexual orientation, can help students appreciate differences rather than fear or ridicule them.

Students are also the first witnesses to bullying. Empowering them to speak up, either for themselves or their peers, is crucial. Schools can encourage this through peer-support programs and anonymous reporting schemes and by teaching conflict resolution. By cultivating a sense of responsibility and moral courage, students can become allies in the fight against bullying.

Parents play a vital role in preventing bullying. Schools should actively involve them in anti-bullying initiatives, keeping them informed about the signs of bullying and how to respond if their child is affected. Regular communication between schools and families can help identity and address bullying early on. Moreover, parents should be encouraged to model respectful and empathetic behavior at home.

In an increasingly digital world, schools must address the growing threat of cyber bullying. This involves not only educating students about responsible online behavior but also monitoring and intervening when necessary. Schools can leverage technology by using apps and platforms that allow for the safe reporting of bullying incidents, as well as by conducting regular digital literacy sessions that highlight the impact of online harassment.

Peer influence is also a powerful tool. Schools should support peer-led initiatives where students take the lead in anti-bullying campaigns. Whether through student councils, clubs or advocacy groups, these initiatives can help create an environment with zero tolerance for bullying. Students are more likely to listen to and emulate their peers, making these initiatives effective.

Creating safe spaces for our children in the schools should start now.