COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO CHILD PROTECTION

To ensure children are safe and free from any form of violence, the Department of Education (DepEd) is strengthening its network and linkages with child rights advocates, and talking with various non-government organizations and advocacy groups to formulate a more comprehensive approach to child protection.

Shild protection committee in all schools should be created to enhance child protection policies, tasked with developing and implementing child protection policies and programs, as well as monitoring their implementation.

DepEd also recognizes the importance of involving parents and guardians in its child protection initiatives by conducting regular information campaigns and training programs to raise awareness about child protection policies and their implementation.

Various partners should also commit to support the department’s initiative to protect learners and prevent any form of abuse in the school and community.

Local government units, for their part, should make sure to sustain the good practices of being a child-friendly LGU, indicators of which include child survival, development, protection, participation, and governance, as well as the LGUs' overall performance in implementing child-friendly policies, programs, projects, and services.

The audit-generated data and results will be used by all LGUs and concerned government agencies to identify strengths and opportunities to ensure and uphold children's rights concerning local governance in the country.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Balucuc High School