ABSTRACT
This action research described how the teachers and parents perceive positively the Child Protection Policy existing at Jose T. Unson Memorial Elementary School as well as the problems besieging the school in its implementation.
The participants of this study were recruited from the teachers and selected parents of each grade levels of the school. Data were gathered through questionnaire containing the indicators regarding Child Protection Policy of the school. Both of the group of respondents agreed on the problems encountered by the school in its implementation namely parent participation and parent-over reaction. It was advised that the school use the suggested Modified Child Protection Policy in light of these findings. Parents must be aware of, realize and understand their responsibilities under the school's Child Protection Policy. To strengthen the policy, teachers and the school must assume responsibility.
Keywords: modified child protection policy, parents, teachers, memorandum
INTRODUCTION
Child protection is the “protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provides for the protection of children in and out of the home.” To do this, child protection systems which are usually government-run services designed to protect children and young people who are underage and to encourage family stability are set. The researchers are interested in obtaining information of the child protection policy used at Jose T. Unson Memorial Elementary School because they are keen on finding out its implementation effectiveness and loopholes as well. The child protection policy has to be effectively implemented and its success is apparent on its effects on the pupils themselves. Thus, the researchers deemed it that the parents’ perception as well as the teachers’ can be indicators of its success or failure and the problems they encountered in its implementation may be reasons for its improvement. The objectivity of the child protection policy was obtained by asking both teachers and parents on their perceptions. This study aimed to investigate the child protection policy at Jose T. Unson Memorial Elementary School. The profiles of both teacher and parents were sought. Likewise, their perception of the implementation of the Child Protection Policy and the problems that have been encountered in the implementation of Child Protection Policy were also investigated.
METHODS
The descriptive method was used with the researcher-made questionnaire as the data gathering tool. There were twenty-nine (29) teachers and twenty-one (21) parents as respondents of this study.
RESULTS
It was found that both teachers and parents as respondents of this study are of legal age and are better equipped with educational background to be able to perceive well the child protection policy existing at Jose T. Unson Memorial Elementary School as well as the problems besieging the school in its implementation. Moreover, both teacher and parents perceived positively the existing Child Protection Policy at the school. Finally, both of the group of respondents agreed on the problems encountered by the school in its implementation namely parent participation and parent over-reaction. In view of these results, it was recommended that the proposed Modified Child Protection Policy may be utilized by the school. Parents have to realize and understand their roles in the Child Protection Policy existing in the school. Teachers and the school must take responsibility to intensify the policy. Finally, a memorandum of agreement among and between parents and the school regarding the policy has to be signed by them.
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