Philippines Among Top Countries in Bullying – PISA 2025

The Philippines continues to grapple with a high rate of bullying among its 15-year-old students, according to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 results. Nearly half, or 47.2%, of Filipino students reported experiencing at least one form of bullying a few times per month or more. This figure is more than double the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 20%. Furthermore, approximately 31% of Filipino students are considered "frequently bullied." PISA 2025 data indicates that boys are more likely to report being bullied than girls. Disadvantaged students, those from disadvantaged schools, students in rural areas, and those attending public schools are also more susceptible. While the Philippines is no longer the country with the highest exposure to bullying, it ranked third, following Rwanda and Kenya, both first-time participants in PISA. Observers have previously labeled the Philippines the "bullying capital of the world" based on global assessment results. Despite the concerning statistics, the Department of Education (DepEd) noted "encouraging signs of improvement" when comparing the 2025 findings to the country's debut in PISA in 2018, rather than the pandemic-affected 2022 data. In 2018, a higher 64.9% of Filipino students reported experiencing bullying at least a few times a month. Significant improvements were observed in reports of students being made fun of, hit or pushed, threatened, and being victims of nasty rumors compared to 2018. A major concern remains cyberbullying. In 2025, 13.9% of Filipino students reported being cyberbullied, the second highest rate among participating countries, far exceeding the OECD average of 3%. Students who spend more time on digital devices are more prone to cyberbullying incidents. The OECD warned that while less frequent than other forms, cyberbullying often co-occurs with other bullying types and is associated with poorer well-being and mental health outcomes. Victims of cyberbullying in the Philippines scored an average of 49 points lower in science compared to their peers. While DepEd tracks cyberbullying in its anti-bullying campaigns, the PISA self-reported rates suggest a potential underreporting of bullying incidents in the country. Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the goal of fostering a safer and more welcoming school environment, extending beyond academics to encourage students' anticipation for school, friends, and lessons. Undersecretary Carmela Oracion highlighted the need for proactive measures, including strengthening security and integrating values education. However, the DepEd faces significant challenges, particularly budget constraints, which hinder the procurement of essential security equipment like CCTV cameras and metal detectors in public schools. The proposed 2027 budget also lacks allocations for training teachers to identify behavioral red flags and for the full implementation of mental health and counseling programs. In an effort to strengthen responses, the DepEd revised the implementing rules and regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 in August 2025, aiming for clearer definitions and responsibilities. Yet, funding limitations remain a substantial obstacle. Information source: Rappler Philippines