STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEP-ED CHILD PROTECTION POLICY IN CASTILLEJOS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
by: Janelle Ladiero-Bermido
In 2016, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) released the findings of a five-year research study that details the high incidences and various forms of violence committed against Filipino children. Athe research study revealed that the total prevalence of all forms of of violence against children is at 80%, with boys at 81.5% and girls, 78.4%. One in three children experiences physical violence such as corporal punishment inflicted by parents, with more than half of them happening at home.
However, children also experience violence, including bullying, in schools. For the school year 2013 – 2014, DepEd has received more than 1700 reports of child abuse and bullying in schools. This official figure undoubtedly is significantly lower than the actual incidents of abuse and bullying in schools as several factors impede the reporting of such cases. In January 2016, a grade 9 student was stabbed to death by unknown outsiders after a heated argument inside the Castillejos National High School campus.On March 25, 2019 an administrative case was filed against a teacher of New Cabalan National High School for violation of the DepEd’s Child Protection Policy otherwise known as DepEd Order No. 40, Series of 2012 and for disgraceful and immoral conduct, a violation of Section 2(E) of Deped Order No. 49 Series of 2006. The complaint was filed at the Schools Division Office of Olongapo City and is still being heard up to this writing, 21 months after it was filed. The teacher is also on trial in an Olongapo Court for two counts of lascivious conduct and separate cases of child abuse and trafficking.
In 2012, the Department of Education through then Secretary Armin Luistro released Department Order No. 40, Series of 2012 otherwise known as the Department’s Child Protection Policy (CPP), in order to address the issues of child abuse, exploitation, bullying among other things that are prevalent in most schools throughout the country. It prescribes a zero tolerance for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse.
Seven years after the isuance of the DepEd’s Child Protection Policy, this study focuses the spotlight on the status of its implementation particularly in Castillejos National High School, Schools Division Office- Zambales. It is specially relevant for school administrators- to help them design a program that would ensure the welfare of children; for teachers- to help them understand the necessity of employing positive discipline; for parents- for them to understand their role in the education of their children; and for students/learners- for them to be aware of their rights and its corollary responsibilities.
Hypotheses
The study determined the relationship of the level of awareness of the DepEd Child Protection Policy with the achievement of its goal as well as the incidence of child abuse. It tested the following null hypotheses:
1. There is no significant relationship between the level of awareness and achievement of goals.
2. There is no significant relationship between the level of awareness and incidence of child abuse.
Methodology and Instrument
This study utilized the combination of quantitative and qualitative method of research. These designs enabled the researcher to assess the effectiveness of the program in detail both in quality and quantity. The quantitative data used a researcher-designed survey questionnaire as instrument which consisted of 30 items. Qualitative data were obtained using interview questions as instrument. Interview questions were designed by the researcher using the DepEd Order No. 40 Series of 2012 to obtain teacher’s opinions in the implementation of the Child Protection Policy in Castillejos National High School.
The data of the study were analyzed using statistical tools – frequency and percentage distribution; weighted mean and the correlation coefficient r.
Summary of Findings
The study derived the following findings:
1. The school has organizational structure for the Child Protection Committee (CPC), has a highly-competent and qualified personnel involved in the child protection and the school may ask the stakeholders’ support for the activity’s relation to child protection.
2. Castillejos National High School (CNHS) strictly adheres to the CPP by implementing programs, projects and activities that can make the school conducive to learning.
3. As to funding, financial support from partner agencies are being solicited.
4. The teachers (3.25) and students (3.13) rated the program goals as “Implemented.”
5. Both the teachers (3.40) and students (2.90) are “Aware” regarding the CPP implementation.
6. The incidence rate of child abuse in the school was only 0.32%.
7. There is a positive moderate correlation between level of awareness and achievement of goals (r=0.453; p<0.01).
8. There is a negative moderate correlation between level of awareness and incidence of child abuse (r=0.453; p<0.01).
Conclusions
Based on the findings and results of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
First, the CNHS adopted the CPP primarily for the protection of the students. The school provides a multitude of activities congruent to the guiding principles of the CPP. The school principal heads the child protection committee and the personnel are proficient and competent in advocating for child protection and stakeholders support the school in the different activities.
Second, the school strictly implemented the CPP through programs, projects and activities and are financially supported through networks and linkages.
Third, the achievement of goals and objectives of the program was implemented while the respondents were aware regarding the program.
Fourth, the school had a low incidence rate of child abuse.
Fifth, there is a significant positive relationship between the level of awareness and achievement of goals.
Lastly, there is a significant negative relationship between the level of awareness and incidence of child abuse.
Recommendations
In view of the findings and conclusions, the researcher offers the following recommendations.
1. Sustain the programs, projects and activities (PPAs) being conducted in relation to CPP guiding principles. Additional programs may also be considered to further strengthen the CPP implementation in the school. Allocate adequate funding for the implementation of the PPAs on child protection and welfare. This may be sourced out from the school’s MOOE and other sources.
2. Spearhead CPP awareness drives to raise level of awareness and further maintain a safe and secure learning environment for everyone and eventually end incidences of all forms of child abuse.
3. Capacity building and training activities of CPP committee members may also be done. Establish networks and linkages specifically with those agencies advocating for children’s rights and welfare for more intensive campaign against child abuse and discrimination.
4. Review the student code of conduct and provide drop box for students’ concerns.
5. Implement strictly the anti-corporal punishment campaign in the school in all forms such as physical and psychological punishments. This may be a topic in the school’s learning action cell (LAC) session of the teachers.
6. Convene the Child Protection Committee religiously to discuss and resolve issues and concerns regarding child protection. Involve the students in interactive discussion on their rights, the concepts and guiding principles of child protection, and the reasons behind the avoidance of inflicting corporal punishment among the students.
7. Employ various strategies in promoting positive discipline in the learning spaces of the students towards a zero-tolerance policy for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and other related offenses. Maintain the strong implementation of the CPP in the school through various mechanisms to avoid child abuse incidence.
8. Further studies may be conducted to explore other essential components of the CPP program in order to make the program more effective and efficient.
9. Parallel study may be done to further validate the results of the study.
If you wish to know more or to get an electronic copy of the research study, you may send your request to [email protected]
Janelle Ladiero-Bermido is a licensed professional teacher and a registered psychometrician. She has a master’s degree in educational management. She worked for many years at Preda Foundation as training specialist/public speaker and has inspired and educated thousands of young people and professionals in issues such as child abuse and drug abuse prevention, positive discipline, children’s rights and women’s rights, responsible parenthood, among others.
