EVERY child has the right to grow, learn, and develop in an environment that is safe, inclusive, respectful, and free from abuse, violence, bullying, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination. Schools play a vital role in protecting children because they are not only places for academic learning but also environments where children develop their values, relationships, confidence, and sense of belonging. (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)).
Despite existing child protection mechanisms, children may still experience various forms of violence and vulnerability at home, in school, in the community, and in digital spaces. These concerns highlight the need for stronger preventive measures, responsive reporting and referral systems, positive discipline, learner empowerment, and active participation of parents and community stakeholders.
Recently there are schools in Bohol with bomb threats, shooting threats and other scenarios that might endanger the lives and properties of the school children including the teaching and non-teaching personnel. The school personnel prepare incident reports for submission for the top management to be informed.
As cited by Dr. Kenneth Regene Blasco in one of his sharing of insights, “prevention is much better than cure”. Therefore some of the DepEd personnel engaged during a training session for child protection offered the following priority strategies. Prevent by addressing risks before they develop into abuse, bullying, neglect, or violence; Protect by establishing safe, inclusive, and child-friendly school environments; Detect Early by training adults and children to recognize warning signs and protection concerns; Report and Refer by ensuring accessible, confidential, timely, and appropriate reporting and referral mechanisms; Respond by providing coordinated and child-sensitive interventions for children at risk or affected by violence; Empower by giving children meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions concerning their safety and well-being; Partner by mobilizing families, schools, barangays, government agencies, and community organizations; and Monitor by using data and regular assessment to improve child protection interventions.
To establish a safe, child-friendly, inclusive, and protective environment where every child is protected from abuse, violence, bullying, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination and is empowered to speak, participate, and seek help when needed.
