CONTEXTUALIZED SCHOOL CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

1. CONTEXTUALIZED SCHOOL CHILD PROTECTION POLICY Teresita elementary school Brgy. Teresita , sto. Niño , south Cotabato

2. Core Values Vision Maka-Diyos Maka-tao Makakalikasan Makabansa We dream of Filipinoswho passionately love their countryand whose values and competencies enable them to realize their full potentialand contribute meaningfully to building the nation. As a learner-centered public institution,the Department of Educationcontinuously improves itself to better serve its stakeholders. Mission To protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education where: • Students learn in a child-friendly, gender-sensitive, safe, and motivating environment • Teachers facilitate learning and constantly nurture every learner • Administrators and staff, as stewards of the institution, ensure an enabling and supportive environment for effective learning to happen • Family, community, and other stakeholders are actively engaged and share responsibility for developing life-long learners

3. School-Based Child Protection Policy • The school is committed to ensure that policies and procedures on child protection are complied and monitored. It is also a need t ensure that all students or learners, personnel, parents, guardian and visitors are aware of the child protection policy. • Policy Statement • Protect and maintain learning environment where students feel safe and secured, is listened to and encouraged to talk about his/her feelings. • Provide a warm and caring atmosphere for the learners where they can ask help from all forms of injustice or abuse. • Protect each student from any form of abuse, whether from an adult or another student. • Be alert to signs of abuse both in school and from outside.

4. Definition of Terms • “Child” – refers to persons below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition; (RA 7610). For purposes of this Department Order, the term also includes pupils or students who may be eighteen (18) years of age or older but are in school.

5. Definition of Terms • “Children in School”- refers to bona fide pupils, students or learners who are enrolled in the basic education system, whether regular, irregular, transferee or repeater, including those who have been temporarily out of school, who are in the school or learning center premises or participating in school-sanctioned activities.

6. Definition of Terms • “Pupil, Student or Learner”- means a child who regularly attends classes in any level of the basic education system, under the supervision and tutelage of a teacher or facilitator. • “School Personnel”- means the persons, singly or collectively, working in a public or private school. They are classified as School Head, Other School Officials and Academic Personnel.

7. Definition of Terms • “Child Protection”- refers to programs, services, procedures, and structures that are intended to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and violence.

8. Definition of Terms • “Parent”- refers to biological parents, step-parents, adoptive parents and the common-law spouse or partner of the parent; • “Guardians or Custodians”- refers to legal guardians, foster parents, and other persons, including relatives or even non-relatives, who have physical custody of the child.

9. Definition of Terms “School Visitor or Guest”- refers to any person who visits the school and has any official business with the school, and any person who does not have any official business but is found within the premises of the school.

10. Definition of Terms “Child Abuse”- refers to the maltreatment of a child, whether habitual or not. used to describe all the ways in which children are harmed, usually by adults and often by those they know and trust. It refers to the damage that has been, or may be, done to a child’s physical or mental health. An adult may abuse a child both by inflicting harm and by failing to prevent harm. Alternatively, a child may abuse another child.

11. Definition of Terms There are four categories of abuse: Physical abuse Sexual abuse Emotional abuse Neglect

12. Definition of Terms • “Discrimination against children”- refers to an act of exclusion, distinction, restriction, or preference which is based on any ground such as age, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, language, religion, national or social origin, property, birth, being pregnant, being infected or affected By Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), being a child in conflict with the law, being a child with disability or other status or condition, and which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons, on an equal footing, of all rights and freedoms.

13. Definition of Terms • “Child exploitation”- refers to the use of children for someone else’s advantage, gratification or profit often resulting in an unjust, cruel and harmful treatment of the child. 2 forms: • Sexual Exploitation – refers to the abuse of position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes. • Economic Exploitation – refers to the use of the child in work or other activities for the benefit of others.

14. Definition of Terms • “Violence of Children Committed in schools”- refers to a single act or a series of acts committed by school administrators, academic and non-academic personnel against a child, which result in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering. • Physical violence – acts that inflict bodily or physical harm.

15. Definition of Terms Sexual Violence – acts that are sexual in nature, including but not limited to rape, sexual harassment, forcing the child to watch obscene publications or shows or forcing the child to do indecent sexual acts, or any acts that causes the child to engage in any sexual activity by force, threat of force, physical or other harm, or through inducements, gifts or favors. Psychological Violence – refers to acts of omissions causing or like to cause mental or emotional suffering of the child. Other acts of violence that are prejudicial to the interest of the child.

16. Definition of Terms • “Bullying or Peer Abuse” – refers to wilful aggressive behaviour that is directed, toward a particular victim who may be outnumbered, younger, weak, with disability, less confident or otherwise vulnerable to include cyber bullying.

17. Definition of Terms “Corporal Punishment” – refers to the kind of punishment or penalty imposed for an alleged or actual offense, which is carried for the purpose of discipline, training or control, 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. It includes physical, humiliating or degrading punishment.

18. Definition of Terms • “Positive and Non-Violent Discipline of Children” – is a way of thinking and a holistic, constructive and pro-active approach to teaching that helps children develop appropriate thinking and behaviour in the short and long-term and fosters self-discipline.Positive discipline begins with setting the long-term goals or impacts that teachers want to have on their student’s adult lives and using everyday situations and challenges as opportunities to teach life-long skills and values to students.

19. Policy Statement e. All personnel should understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse or neglect, and their responsibility for prompt and thorough recording of cases and to promptly refer any concerns to the designated teacher responsible for child protection and safeguarding. f. Accepts clear procedures in handling cases of abuse, sensitive to the feelings of those involved, prudence and confidentiality. Duties and Responsibilities • I. School Head – shall exercise functions as stipulated in the duties and responsibilities of Schools (Sec. 7, DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012) • II. School Personnel – shall exercise the functions as stipulated in the duties and responsibilities of School Personnel (Sec. 8, DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012) • III. Students and Learners – shall exercise functions as stipulated in the duties and responsibilities of Pupils, Students and Learners (Sec. 9, DepEd Order No. 40, s.. 2012)

20. Code of Conduct • Every school shall maintain the students positive attitude and practice good moral principles so that every student will learn to appreciate their cultural heritage, develop their sense of identity and belongingness in the society. This code of conduct helps to promote order and sense of security in the school campus. • Conduct Inside the School Premises • Pupils should come to school regularly and punctually and must attend flag ceremony, program and activities as required. • Attend classes regularly and avoid cutting classes. • Make assignments, projects and must be diligent and serious on their studies. • Observe proper hygiene and if necessary wear proper uniform; white t-shirt and navy blue short for boys and white blouse and navy blue skirt for girls. • Avoid making naughtiness, noise and bullying acts inside the school.

21. Conduct Inside the School Premises • f. Avoid engaging in gambling like “taksi”, sticker cards and other games that has money bet and hazardous. • g. Avoid to pick flowers, fruits, vegetables and steal properties. • h. Protect and preserve all school infrastructure, equipments and properties. If its damaged, it must be replaced. • i. Be a part of school development, cleanliness and beautification. • Avoid climbing of trees. • Observe proper waste of disposal. • Avoid riding bicycle or motorcycle inside the campus and must walk slowly during class dismissal. • Must buy food in the school canteen only and must not go out the school campus during recess time. • Avoid using unpleasant words that are harassing, abusive, sexually provocative or culturally inappropriate.

22. Conduct Inside the School Premises • o. Avoid bringing of cell phone and other electronic gadgets in school. • p. Abide not only school rules and regulations but also classroom discipline set by the teacher. • q. Avoid applying hair dye or highlights, earrings (among boys only), nail polish and body tattoos. • Maintain the cleanliness and orderliness in the classroom and campus. • Help conserve our national resources like water, trees, electricity and etc. • Maintain harmonious relationship with each other by respecting each other rights and responsibilities.

23. Conduct Outside the School Premises • Uphold the good name of the school by being loyal and true to her. • Maintain good character and good disposition all the time. • Maintain constant communication and harmonious relationship with parents and stakeholders.

24. Attendance • Attend flag raising and flag retreat ceremonies and other related activities of the school. • A pupil who has been absent from classes should present his/her teacher a written note signed by his/her parent / guardian and duly noted by the school guidance counselor. • Students are encouraged to attend classes regularly and avoid cutting classes. • Allowable absence is only 10% of the total school days per school year. • A prolonged absence due to illness must be verified by a written note from the parent/ guardian together with the doctor’s certificate. • A pupil who leaves the room with permission of the teacher but remains outside unnecessarily for a long period of time will be marked absent.

25. Tardiness • All pupils are expected to be in school 15 minutes before the time. • Official time will be from 7:15-1130 noon, 1:30-4:15pm • Habitual tardiness requires admission slip. • Offenses • Gross Misconduct • Stealing • Dishonesty and cheating during examination. • Always absent from class, shouts and make unnecessary noise during class hours. • Cutting Classes • Absent from class due to computer addiction. • Vandalism • Show disrespect to teachers and other person in authority. • Membership in illegal gangs or fraternities. • Falsification of public documents like forgery, tampering of documents and etc.

26. Offenses • Involves in any form of gambling during school days. • Fighting causing injury to others. • Often use malicious indecent and blasphemous words. • Bullying in the form of physical/ mental abuse, harassment, intimidation, or humiliation. Action and Penalty • 1st Offense – Report to the Teacher Adviser • 2nd Offense – Report to Guidance Counselor • 3rd Offense – Report to the principal with parents notice and written warning on anecdotal record. • 4th Offense – Advice to transfer to other school or institution.

27. General Procedure in Handling Problem Cases in School • Assessment of problem by Advisers/ concerned Personnel • Implement of Appropriate Intervention: • A. Student-Teacher Conference • B. Homeroom PTA Meeting • C. Home Visitation • D. Remedial Classes • E. Counselling • F. Attendance Monitoring • G. Referral to other agencies like MSWDO and PNP • H. Community Work • I. Spiritual Guidance • J. Monthly Guidance Report

28. School Child Protection Committee Chairman ……………………… Concepcion D. Apostol – ES Principal I Vice Chairman ……………… Bridget D. Nemeño – TESTA President Secretary …………………….. Luz B. Nanol – Guidance Coordinator Members: Roselie R. Malicudio …………… PGO Adviser Gwyn S. Caraga …………………… PGO President Kgd. Raylene B. Dillo …………. SGC President Jodelyn G. Rendaje …………….. PTA President

29. Duty of the Faculty and Staff • Abide to the Mission and Vision of the Department of Education. • To protect students from any form of abuse. • To be aware of the school’s child protection procedure and to follow them. • To keep a sufficient record of any significant complaint, conversation or event. • To report any matters of concern to the committee. • Be alert to signs of abuse both in school and from outside.

30. Flow Chart Procedure Referral System Monitoring System

31. F O R M s Call slip form

32. F O R M s Clearance form

33. F O R M s reporting Adopted from DepEd Order No. 40 s. 2012

34. F O R M s REPORT ON INCIDENTS OF BULLYING AND RETALIATION FORM

35. F O R M s Intake form

36. Confidentiality on Child Protection Record • The school will keep all the records and information in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of every learner. The school will cooperate with the higher authorities or social services to ensure that all relevant information is shared for the purpose of Child Protection Investigation under, • ” Anti- Bullying Act of 2013 and DepEd Order No. 40, s .2012.”