Title:
THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY IN THE CENTRAL SCHOOLS OF THE SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL: SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE

Authors:
Crescente Glariana and Demetria May T. Saniel, DM, Philippines

Abstract:
The study investigated into the support of the School Child Protection Committees as an enabling environment for the implementation of the Child Protection Policy in the Central Schools of the Schools Division of Misamis Oriental. A stratified sample of 246 public school teachers from a sample 8 central schools in the Schools Division of Misamis Oriental participated in the survey, a researcher-made questionnaire adopting the roles and responsibilities and emerging functions of the SCPCs as stipulated in DepEd Order 40, s.2012 – Section 10. Employing a descriptive research design, the results show that the SCPCs well supports to a highly enabling environment for the implementation of the Child Protection Policy. The hallmark finding articulates the SCPCs have performed most on ensuring that the children’s right to be heard are respected and upheld in all matters and procedures affecting their welfare. However, the least rated are on policy review in every 3 years; a system for identifying students who may be suffering from significant harm based on signs; and facilitating the identification and referral to the appropriate offices. The SCPCs critical role in ensuring that child protection work in schools involves in reviewing and continually improving and developing systems and mechanisms that provide meaningful protection for all children in the longer term. Collaboratively, with internal and external stakeholders through the concerted efforts of individuals and groups, adults as well as children, that child protection can become effective and sustainable to ensure the children’s rights to survival, development and wellbeing in all settings at all times, in schools and in the communities.