TEACHERS PERCEPTION TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILD PROTECTION POLICY (CPP)

“A child must grow up in a community that is orderly, respectable, independent, and united.”

The Department of Education works in tandem with partners and stakeholders to guarantee that schools are environment-friendly for educating children. In all policies and acts of educational institutions, the best interests of the children shall always come first. In order to protect the well-being of the students in their care, teachers are supposed to act as surrogate parents. The Child Protection Policy of 2012, also known as DepEd Order No. 40, was created with this goal in mind.

As they protect the children’s best interests, teachers do their utmost to adhere to the rules and uphold their reputation as trustworthy and responsible individuals. However, the same thrust posed the same apprehensions on many teachers questioning if their rights are also protected just as how they protect children’s rights under their supervision. This stems from the harassment and bullying that educators have faced, particularly in the digital sphere. According to numerous research, teachers have also been the targets of bullying in a variety of forms from parents, students, and even superiors.

However, this is a misconception that needs to be addressed. The Child Protection Policy also protects teachers’ rights and well-being since it prevents them from being falsely accused or sued right away without following the proper procedures. Additionally, educators will be more aware of behaviors or actions that are deemed violations of children’s rights as well as the legal actions or steps they must take to protect themselves in the event that they are unintentionally placed in that situation. Thanks to the comprehensive set of guidelines and legal foundation provided in the Child Protection Policy. Like the well-known saying goes, LIGTAS ANG MAY ALAM!

With the ongoing initiatives of the Department of Education in partnership with private organizations to capacitate educators and the entire community in the strong implementation of the Child Protection Policy, educators will truly become our children’s protectors not perpetrators.(