Children who suffer physical harm at home often from adults are more likely to struggle in school, a new study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies found. 

Based on data spanning seven years tracking 5,000 students nationwide, the study revealed  that students who experience “physical bullying” from adults in the caregiving roles increase their risk of falling academically behind. By the time students reach the age of 16, one in five students is no longer at their expected grade level. 

The study examined three education markers: grade progression, attendance records and academic performance. 

The impact of physical harm is particularly more visible to boys, who were found more “academically vulnerable” compared to girls under the same circumstances. 

Although adult-inflicted harm had the most significant effects, not all forms of bullying appeared to disrupt academic performance. In the study, emotional teasing from peers was sometimes linked to better academic outcomes, especially among girls.

“What we find is that the emotional hurt by friends and classmates seems to have a positive effect on track schooling,” said Dr. Alejandro Herrin, policy adviser at the University of San Carlos’ Office of Population Studies Foundation during the research presentation on 10 April. 

He noted that this is an unexpected result that needs further investigation.

Normalized violence

Experts say the way young people perceive violence, especially when it’s normalized within homes or communities, contributes to its damaging effects. Dr. Allan Bernardo, a distinguished professor at De La Salle University, said bullying is often dismissed as a minor issue even if it affects mental health and academic performance. 

The digital era also introduces challenges to combat bullying, as there is less control over what students click and what social interactions they are involved in. 

The study recommends tailored approaches addressing different types of bullying while leveraging new mental health laws.

At the hearing of the Committee on Basic Education in early April on recent incidents of bullying and violence involving the Bagong Silangan High School in Quezon City, Moonwalk National High School and a school in Las Piñas, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian proposed short-term measures such as installations of more CCTVs and hiring of additional security personnels.

A ban on phones in schools was also recommended to avoid turning bullying incidents into forms of entertainment.