Child protection, anti-bullying emphasized

It is almost a month that the opening of classes in the public and private schools started. As in the previous school years, the Department of Education (DepEd) stands firm with its commitment to promote and provide a safe and free-from-fear learning environment for all learners in both public and private schools nationwide.

For School Year (SY) 2017-2018 DepEd emphasizes again its zero tolerance policy against any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying, and other forms of mistreatment, which may affect the normal development of learners.

Child Protection Committee. As a measure to ensure that cases and instances of abuse are closely monitored at school level, DepEd issued the DepEd Order No. 40, series of 2012, or the DepEd Child Protection Policy, which requires all elementary and secondary schools — both public and private — to create their own Child Protection Committee (CPC).

It was reiterated in a press briefing by Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones who said that the Child Protection Policy is a mandate from United Nations to all the officials of the government to protect the children from bullying. She added that it was the basis of the Child Protection Policy so at the level of the school, there is a need to have a Child Protection Committee.

Based from the said DepEd issuance, the CPC is composed of the following: 1) School Head/Administrator as Chairperson; 2) Guidance Counselor/ Teacher as Vice Chairperson; 3) Representatives of the teachers as designated by the Faculty Club; 4) Representative of the parents as designated by the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA); 5) Representative of learners as designated by the Supreme Student Council; and 6) Representative from the community as designated by the Punong Barangay, preferably a member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC).

Furthermore, the DepEd Order also enumerated some of the roles of the CPC which are: to ensure that learners are following a certain Code of Conduct in schools and that schools have their localized Child Protection Policy; to develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring system of cases of all forms of abuse and bullying; and to identify, refer, and report cases of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, and bullying to the appropriate offices if needed, among others. To reinforce DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, DepEd released the DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2013, or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10627, otherwise known as The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, which further provides clearer rules on bullying and cyber-bullying. This was recently reiterated through DepEd Memorandum No. 5, s. 2017, or the Reiteration of the Department of Education Anti-Bullying Policy.

Accordingly, DepEd encourages learners, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to refrain from engaging in discriminatory acts against people’s opinion, status, gender, ethnicity, religion, as well as their moral and physical integrity.

DepEd also prohibits the use of corporal punishment or any kind of punishment imposed for an alleged or actual offense, which is carried out by a teacher, school administrator, an adult, or any other child who has been given or has assumed authority or responsibility for punishment or discipline.

The DepEd Secretary mentioned that an administrative case shall be filed against DepEd officials who will neglect his or her duty in providing a safe and free–from-fear learning environment for learners. She said they looking closely on officials who are neglecting their duties then at the level of the Central Office, or the Regional Director, the Department takes actions.

Briones concluded that her Office keeps on reminding our teachers, as well as students that we are not anymore in dark ages.

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Director’s Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte, CESO IV, Regional Director, DepED Region 11 to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education). "Let me assure you that in the performance of my official duties and even my private acts will be guided and guarded by my Oath of Office, The Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno, the Philippine Constitution and all the laws that govern our actions.” - o0O0o – You can access DepED Updates, latest issuances, photos and other relevant information through our website: http://www.deped.gov. ph and our Facebook Page: http:// www.facebook.com/deped.regionxi. For comments, suggestions and/ or contributions, send your email to region11@deped.gov.ph. For queries, complains and other concerns for the different schools divisions email them to davao.city@deped. gov.ph, davao.delsur@deped. gov.ph, davao.delnorte@deped. gov.ph, tagum.city@deped.gov. ph, panabo.city@deped.gov.ph, igacos@deped.gov.ph, davao.oriental@deped.gov.ph, digos.city@ deped.gov.ph, mati.city@deped. gov.ph and compostela.valley@ deped.gov.ph.