PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH SAFE SPACE

ZALDY A. QUIJANO JR.

The Department of Education (DepEd) highlighted its significant measures in championing Learner Rights and Protection, underscoring the importance of providing children with safe space, which is vital in their development.

Vice President and Secretary of DepEd Sara Duterte has reminded educators and stakeholders of the task to provide children with a safe, nurturing, and loving life that allows them to play, learn, and grow into responsible, productive, and well-rounded individuals.

VP-Secretary Duterte said this task is binding and requires will, commitment, and a strong sense of unity of purpose as a community of elected leaders, policy makers, educators, advocates, development partners, business development supporters, and parents all working together to champion Filipino Children.

The Learner Rights and Protection Office (LRPO), meanwhile, launched the Learners Helpline Jingle and Theme Song titled Karapatan ng Kabataan: Kilalanin, Iparating, Itaguyod.

The jingle aims to introduce the mandates of the LTCCH and ensure easy recall of helpline numbers to learners, parents, and stakeholders.

The LRPO also presented the Learner Rights and Protection Policy, which is the enhanced version of DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, including recent laws and issuances in relation to learner protection.

She also discussed the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Safe Spaces Act in Basic Education, a measure to ensure a positive and safe learning environment free from gender-based violence, especially gender-based sexual harassment.

The LRPO explained the Protocols on the Handling of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (CSAC) Learners, which shall guide all DepEd personnel and stakeholders on the appropriate handling and treatment of CSAC learners, ensuring the protection of all our learners in times of armed conflict.

-oOoThe author is a Teacher III at San Pablo 2nd National High

School