The Problem 1

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

“Don’t tease, be bossy, put people down, lie, and be

selfish and brag.”

-Patience Coster

According to National Association of School

Psychologists (2012) cited Husain and Jan (2015), social

networking and text sending is consider major form of

bullying. Those who are directly or indirectly involved in

bullying are at increased risk of misbehavior, abuse, and

absenteeism from school. Thus, bullying creates barrier to

learning with negative outcomes on part of both students

and institutions. Students may be burlier and sometime act

as bully according to the situations. Bullying among

students not only decreases their academic performance but

also causes mental health problems and physical injury. The

bullying may refer to the situation of “getting picked on”

by others. It happens to different types of repeatedly

occurring threats, harassments, abuse, ill –treatments and

victimization (p. 43).

 The Problem 2

Sweden

According to Slonje and Smith (2008) cited by

Klijakovic, Hunt, and Jose (2015) Gender differences in

cyber bullying and victimisation may become more evident

when different media are explored. Explored the nature of

different types of cyber bullying in a sample of

adolescents (mean age 15.3 years) in Sweden. Overall, it

appeared that there were few gender differences between

rates of cyber victimisation. However, boys tended to cyber

bully more than girls, girls were more often victims of

email bullying than boys, and boys were more likely to

bully via text message than girls (p. 58).

Finland

According to Verlinden, Hersen, and Thomas, 2000 cited

by Hoisko, S., Uusiautti, S., and Maatta, K. (2012). Recent

school shootings in Finland make an example of revenge that

was actually realized. Research on massacres at school all

over the world revealed that 90 % of the murderers were

victims of bullying at school. Bullying is not the only

reason for these horrible events but it can be one factor

that leads the way toward massacres. It seems that the risk

is emphasized especially when the victim of bullying lacks

support from school and home. Bullying at school has drawn

 The Problem 3

increasing attention since the massacres as bullying was

found as one of the background factors in these events.

(p.65).

Philippines

The Department of Education in the Philippines

reported more than 1, 700 cases of child abuse or bullying

in schools for the years of 2013 and 2014, although the

DepEd lately said that this number is decreasing, and that

comes after they issued an order in 2012 known as DepEd

Child Protection Policy which states the policy and

guidelines for the child protection in schools against

abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and

other different forms that might be a threat for the child.

The 2012 DepEd Child Protection Policy not only takes care

of the violence targeted toward the children but it also

look at the side of the family and that is referring to

school administrators, teachers, academic and nonacademic

staff, to take care of the children and deal with those who

already suffered any kind of bullying before.

Cavite

In Region IV-A CALABARZON there are many cases of

bullying in different schools, in Binakayan National High

 The Problem 4

School, Kawit, Cavite, there was a reported 36 bullying

cases for SY 2013-2014 which emanate from name calling,

playing offensive jokes, hiding or getting someone’s

personal belongings, and inflicting physical injury. These

had turned into physical bullying where kicking, slapping

and beating up another person in the school are the most

common cases. The verbal bullying such as name calling,

mocking, and hurtful teasing happen frequently inside and

outside the classroom which are not generally reported to

school authorities and resolved immediately.

Batangas

In Sacred Heart College in Batangas a video went

viral online showing a female grade 8 student slapping

another girl earlier this month. The student claimed she

beat the girl because she’s jealous and angry of Tasha

about something, so she gathered a group of people to bully

her and uploaded the video online.

According to Sacred Heart College, “Last year, a

bullying incident was amicably settled through dialogue.

The amicable settlement however was without the benefit of

the video now circulating on social media. In light of the

video, Sacred Heart College has re-opened the matter

following a complaint by the parents the right to protect

 The Problem 5

and defend their interests. Any statement that the school

has acted on the incident is false and malicious. (2018)”

The school administration, meanwhile, declined to

give any statement regarding the incident. The suspect is

now under police custody. Meanwhile, Aurora Rep. Sonny

Angara said this latest incident of school bullying that

resulted in the death of a student underscores the need for

a law that would hold schools responsible for any bullying

incident. Angara filed the “Anti Bullying Act of 2010”

during the fifteenth Congress that will require school

administrations to adopt anti-bullying policies (2012).

Bullied by Family

In the study of Woolf (2013) it shows that brothers

tend to bully more often than sisters. One study found that

being bullied by a sibling was more likely for both boys

and girls who had an older brother. In addition, older

children tend to bully siblings more often than younger

children. Also it found that boys tended to bully in the

home more often when they had younger sibling. Children who

lack empathy are more likely to bully (p. 16).

 The Problem 6

Racist and Homophobic Bullying

It is driven by fear of, dislike of, and ignorance

about homosexuals. Being gay is a natural part of who a

person is, just like a person’s race. Victims may feel

afraid of speaking up because they feel a need to fit in

and not draw attention to themselves. It’s also possible

that they don’t trust the school authorities to take their

complaint seriously, or they may be worried that talking

about it will bring further trouble from the bullies for

themselves and their family (p. 26).

Rationale of the study

As adjudicated from international, national and local

scenarios, the researcher, an alumna of said learning

institution and criminology student was motivated to

conduct the study the level of awareness of the students on

the anti-bullying law as basis for educating R.A. 10627.

Bullying nowadays is more severe everyone must take an

action. This current situation must fight against bullying

and other school-related crime within the institution.

Significance of the study

The finding will be significant in the short and long-

term development planning. This study will also be the

 The Problem 7

importance of several entities namely the school

administrators, faculty, students, parents and community.

This study aim to increase the awareness of faculty

and staff, students and community regarding to the said

problem. It can help to identify problems and course of

actions that would support who are been bullied.

The researcher believes that this study is beneficial,

significant and useful to the following:

Students and teachers. This study will aimed at

increasing the awareness regarding bullying as essential

partners in the fight against bullying and other school-

related crimes.

Criminology student. This will serve as their example,

guide, pattern or reference on conducting their own

research and study, it may also give them wider range of

options in relation to the topic subject when they start

their own research; and

Future researchers. This study will help them in

conducting their own research. It provides wide options for

topics and references that might be convenient and useful

for researchers to be used in their own study. This study

will also inspire them to conduct further them research

 The Problem 8

topic and motivate them to do more that may elaborate the

case being studied.

Legal Basis
The basis of this study is Republic Act 10627 was

begun and held in the City of Manila, this 12nd day of

September, in the year 1913. This act shall be known as the

Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

Figure 1 presents the map of Pila, Laguna

Figure 1. Map of Pila, Laguna

The newly born school, along the highway of Pila,

Laguna. The Don Manuel Rivera Memorial National High School

 The Problem 9

institution started at the year 2002 and it is headed by

Mrs. Emily G Visey as the principal.

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

This study is anchored on the concepts and theories

relating to Anti-Bullying Law.

Group Relational Theory

According to Darmawan (2010) cited by Laus (2016) it

distinguishes victimization by individual and victimization

by a group. Victimization conducted by a single person can

lead to personal harassment. While, in group victimization,

the harassment may occur amongst individuals in a group or

between one or more groups against others, may result in

more complex outcomes since those who see the bullying

activities (spectators) may then become involved in bully

activities as well (p.3).

Olweus’ Theory - An Integrated Approach

According McCleary 2001, it gives three main reasons

why bullying occurs: Firstly, there is a perceived need for

power, control and dominance over others on the part of the

individual (i.e. Biological in nature). Secondly

environmental effects. Thirdly, it can be a rewarding and

beneficial behavior (p. 143).

 The Problem 10

Social Bonding Theory

According to Hirschi 1969 cited by McCleary 2011,

social bonding theory argues that people need to be

socially connected to live well adjusted and meaningful

lives. To those adolescents who are developing their

identity, this is especially important to them. Adolescents

who maintained weak and distant relationships and who are

unattached or unconnected to important social groups and

institutions in their lives are more likely than others to

engage in deviant behavior such as bullying, delinquency,

and/or criminal activities. The behavior of those who had

commitment to conventional values like refusing to drink or

doing drugs and who strove to get a good education was

indicative of conventional behavior. (p. 4).

Social Judgment Theory

According to Sherif cited by Griffin (2013) the larger

the discrepancy between a speaker’s position and listener’s

point of view, the greater the change in attitude-as long

as the message within the hearer’s latitude of acceptance.

High ego-involvement usually indicates a wide latitude of

rejection. Message that fall there may have a boomerang

effect (p. 487).

 The Problem 11

Conceptual Framework

Acts of bullying

This acts of bullying are enumerated in section 2 of

Republic Act 10627, 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. Any act that causes damage to a victim’s psyche

and/or emotional well-being. 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 cyber-bullying or any

bullying done through the use of technology or any

electronic means.

Adoption of Anti-Bullying policies- it is on section 3

of Republic ACT 10627,prohibit the following acts are

reporting acts of bullying or retaliation, responding

promptly to and investigating reports of bullying or

retaliation, restoring a sense of safety for a victim and

assessing the student’s need for protection, protecting

from bullying or retaliation of a person who reports acts

of bullying, provides information during an investigation

 The Problem 12

of bullying, or is witness to or has reliable information

about an act of bullying and providing counseling or

referral to appropriate services for perpetrators, victims

and appropriate family members of said students. All

elementary and secondary schools shall provide students and

their parents or guardians a copy of the anti-bullying

policies being adopted by the school. Such policies shall

likewise be included in the school’s student and/or

employee handbook and shall be conspicuously posted on the

school walls and website, if there is any.

Mechanism to address bullying- it is enumerated on

section 4 of Republic Act 10627, any member of the school

administration, student, parent or volunteer shall

immediately report any instance of bullying or act of

retaliation witnessed, or that has come to one’s attention,

to the school principal or school officer or person so

designated by the principal to handle such issues, or both.

Upon receipt of such a report, the school principal or the

designated school officer or person shall promptly

investigate.
 The Problem 13

Conceptual Paradigm

Figure 2 presents the paradigm of the study which

shows the process of the study regarding the awareness of

the high school students of DMRMNHS regarding Republic Act

10627.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLE

1. Status of bullying in
DMRMNHS
2. Level of awareness of
the students on the Anti-
Bullying Law in terms of;
2.1 Acts of Bullying
2.2 Adoption of Anti-
Bullying Policies
2.3 Mechanism to Address
Bullying
Level awareness of
selected high school
students of Don
Manuel Rivera
Memorial National
High School on the
Anti-Bullying Law:
Basis for Education
Republic Act 10627

3. Significant difference
between the levels of
awareness of the
respondents regarding the
Anti-Bullying Law when
grouped according to their
sex.
4. The problems, comments,
suggestion regarding
bullying as purchased by
the respondents.

MODERATOR VARIABLES
1. Groups:
a. First Group
( ) Student
b. Second Group
( ) Faculty
2. Sex
3. Year (2018)
 The Problem 14

Conceptual Paradigm

The dependent variable which the researcher tries to

measure is the level of awareness on RA 10627 in DMRMNHS

was analyzed with the establish independent variable such

as acts of bullying, adoption of anti-bullying policies,

and mechanism to address bullying. The independent variable

was established by the moderator variables have perceived.

Statement of the Problems

The study will determine the level of awareness of

high school students in DMRMNHS.

Specifically, the researcher sought to answer the

following questions:

1. What is the status of bullying, cases and programs

implemented against bullying in DMRMNHS?

2. What is the level of awareness of the students on

the Anti-Bullying law in terms of:

2.1 Acts of Bullying;

2.2 Adoption of Anti-Bullying Policies and;

2.3 Mechanism to address bullying

3. Is there significant difference in the level of

awareness of the respondents regarding the Anti-

Bullying Law when grouped according to their sex?

 The Problem 15

4. What are the other problems, comments, suggestion

regarding bullying as purchased by the respondents?

Hypotheses;

There is no significant difference in the level of

awareness of the respondents regarding the Anti-Bullying

law when grouped according to their sex.

Operational Definition of Terms

Bully- it is the persons who uses strength or power to

harm and to intimidate someone who are weak.

Victim- it is the persons who are been harmed or

injured.

Adoption- it is an act or process of giving an official

acceptance for something.

Mechanism- it is a way of acting, thinking or behaving

that helps or protects a person in a specified way.