1. Department of Education
Learner Rights and Protection Office
DEPED-LRPO CPP
INCREASING PROTECTION
MEASURES WITH CHILD
PARTICIPATION
Reference: Renie-Tess Martin
Child Protection Specialist Plan
International Philippines
3. THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATION-UNITED NATIONS
CONVENTION on the RIGHTS of the CHILD (UNCRC)
Article 5 (parental guidance and a child’s evolving capacities) Governments must respect the rights and
responsibilities of parents and carers to provide guidance and direction to their child as they grow up, so thatthey
fully enjoy their rights. This must be done in a way that recognizes the child’s increasing capacity to make their own
choices.
Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) Every child has the right to express their views, feelings andwishes
in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right
applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-dayhome
life.
Article 13 (freedom of expression) Every child must be free to express their thoughts and opinions and toaccess all
kinds of information, as long as it is within the law
Article 14 (freedom of thought, belief and religion) Every child has the right to think and believe what they
choose and also to practice their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights.
Governments must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents to guide their child as theygrow up.
4. Article 15 (freedom of association) Every child has the right to meet with other children
and to join groups and organizations, as long as this does not stop other people from
enjoying their rights.
Article 17 (access to information from the media) Every child has the right to reliable
information from a variety of sources, and governments should encourage the media to
provide information that children can understand. Governments must help protect children
from materials that could harm them.
Article 31 (leisure, play and culture) Every child has the right to relax, play and take part
in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.
Article 42 (knowledge of rights) Governments must actively work to make sure children
and adults know about the Convention.
5. CHILDREN ALSO HAVE PROTECTION RIGHTS
Article 2 (non-discrimination) The Convention applies to every child without discrimination, whatever their
ethnicity, sex, religion, language, abilities or any other status, whatever they think or say, whatever their family
background.
Article 8 (protection and preservation of identity) Every child has the right to an identity. Governments must
respect and protect that right, and prevent the child’s name, nationality or family relationships from being changed
unlawfully.
Article 9 (separation from parents) Children must not be separated from their parents against their will unless it is
in their best interests (for example, if a parent is hurting or neglecting a child). Children whose parents have separated
have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this could cause them harm.
Article 11 (abduction and non-return of children) Governments must do everything they can to stop children being
taken out of their own country illegally by their parents or other relatives, or being prevented from returning home.
Article 16 (right to privacy) Every child has the right to privacy. The law should protect the child’s private, family
and home life, including protecting children from unlawful attacks that harm their reputation.
6. Article 19 (protection from violence, abuse and neglect) Governments must do all they can to ensure
that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents
or anyone else who looks after them
Article 32 (child labour) Governments must protect children from economic exploitation and work that
is dangerous or might harm their health, development or education. Governments must set a minimum
age for children to work and ensure that work conditions are safe and appropriate.
Article 33 (drug abuse) Governments must protect children from the illegal use of drugs and from being
involved in the production or distribution of drugs.
Article 34 (sexual exploitation) Governments must protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and
exploitation.
Article 35 (abduction, sale and trafficking) Governments must protect children from being abducted,
sold or moved illegally to a different place in or outside their country for the purpose of exploitation.
7. What shall we do
to ensure safe
engagement of
children and young
people?
9. safety and protection
11
Gender Responsive Safeguarding:
is a safeguarding approach that:
•takes full account of gender in considering the specific
safeguarding needs of girls, boys and other gender identities
•integrates safeguarding measures that address protection
risks for children and young people (girls, boys, young
women, young men, and children of other gender identities)
that stem from issues relating to gender bias and
discrimination
•supports the empowerment and fosters the inclusion of
girls, particularly in the safeguarding process, in a manner
that promotes equality, equity and ultimately their increased
12. Plan International’s Safeguarding Policy and
DepEd’s Child Protection Policy
30
Both are guided by the United Nations’
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
For DepEd, it is mandated that all
appropriate measures be undertaken to
ensure that school discipline is
administered in a manner consistent
with the child’s dignity, and in
conformity with the CRC.
13. Plan International’s Safeguarding Policy and
DepEd’s Child Protection Policy
31
Both Plan International and DepEd
collaborate with its partners and
stakeholders to ensure that schools are
conducive to the education of children.
The best interest of the child is the
paramount consideration in all decisions and
actions involving children.
14. Plan International’s Safeguarding
Policy and DepEd’s Child Protection
Policy
32
DepEd and Plan International both recognize
that cases of abusemay arise within and
outside the organizations.
For Plan International, we make sure that
all Plan staff and associates help in
creating a safe environment for children
andyoung people.
For DepEd, recognizes the need to prevent
school personnel, bothteaching and non-
teaching, from committing violence in schools
against children.
15. Plan International’s Safeguarding
Policy and DepEd’s Child Protection
Policy
33
Both DepEd and Plan International
provides special protection for
children against the different
forms of abuse or violence:
1. Physical Violence
2. Sexual Violence
3. Psychological Violence
4. Other risks that may harm the
children
16. Plan International’s Safeguarding Policy and
DepEd’s Child Protection Policy
34
Both also recognize that children
might be capable to abuse or
bully their fellowchildren.
Therefore, both highlights
responsibilities of children in
both policies.
17. Plan International’s Safeguarding Policy and
DepEd’s Child Protection Policy
35
Both Plan International and DepEd follows
certain guidelines in handling incidences of
abuse. There are investigation and
reporting mechanisms present in the
policies.
The duties and responsibilities of the staff
are indicated in both policies.
Both aim to provide support to the victim-
survivors of abuse.
18. How do we increase
Protection Measures
in Child Participation
in School Setting
19. Create a protective culture
All DepEd staff have a responsibility to ensure they do no harm and
create safe environments for children and young people. There is a
need to recognize the impact and implications of power, privilege
and bias on our ability to protect girls, boys, children and young
people in all their diversity. Managers have a particular role and
responsibility for setting high standards, acting as role models,
recognizing the inequalities within the organization and creating an
organizational environment which is safe, respectful and encourages
questioning, challenging poor practice and speaking out on concerns
and issues regarding protection.
20. Manage Risks in all DepEd Activities
Risks to girls, boys, children and young people
in all their diversity from their contact with, or
the impact of, the organization are identified
and minimized. Risk management strategies
for safeguarding are integral to all business
systems and processes.
21. Safe Recruitment and Safe Engagement in
DepEd
and engagement
Quality recruitment
important part of ensuring that DepEd creates
in, and with
processes are an
safe
the
individuals will target
environments
organization.
organizations
for those working
A minority
in
of
order to gain access to children or
vulnerable populations in order to abuse them. Others may
have harmed staff, children, or young people
opportunistically in prior employment.
22. Awareness, Communication and Education
on DepEd’s Commitment to CPP
DepEd understands that in order for its
organizational protective measures to be fully and
effectively implemented, it is essential to raise the
awareness of everyone associated with DepEd (staff,
associates, visitors, children, and parents) on the
obligations and commitments described in DepEd’s
Child Protection Policy.
23. Engaging Safely with Learners
All types of engagement with, and inclusion of, girls,
boys, children and young people in all their diversity,
give priority to their best interest and safety.
Behaviour towards learners in all their diversity
is respectful, non- discriminatory and appropriate.
24. Reporting and Responding to Child
Protection Concerns
Complaints mechanisms and reporting lines are
appropriate for receiving reports of harm and abuse
experienced by girls, boys, children and young people
in all their diversity. Responses are survivor-
centered, prioritize the best interests of the child or
young person and are timely and efficient.
25. Remember that:
1. You all have the responsibility to ensure that you provide safe
and conducive learning and participatory environment for the
learners.
2.There are situations that are out of your control but it is
still helpful to identify the risks and reduce the probability
for theserisks to happen.
3. In cases of abuse, you should respond to this and seek help of
professionals to ensure that our support would be responsive
to theneeds of the affected learners.
29. “Quality means doing it right when no
one is looking.” by Henry Ford,
“It always seems impossible until it's
done.” by Nelson Mandela,
and “Those who say it cannot be done
should not interrupt those doing it.”
From a Chinese proverb.
30. May Good Luck follow your every step
your way. Go and conquer your
dreams. Believe in yourself and have
trust in God!
