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Catumbalon CPP Final
Catumbalon CPP Final
POLICY
POLICY AND GUIDELINES IN PROTECTING CHILDREN OF
CATUMBALON CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM ABUSE,
VIOLENCE, EXPLOITATION, DISCRIMINATION, BULLYING AND
OTHER FORMS OF ABUSE
l. INTRODUCTION
A. PREAMBLE
Pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, the State shall protect and promote the right
of all children to accessible and quality basic education . Alongside this right is the
constitutional policy that the State shall promote and protect heir holistic development
through the promotion of their physical , moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-
being
The 1987 Constitution and other domestic and international laws, primarily the
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, guarantee a range of rights of
children to promote their over-all well -being. Among the rights of the child in basic
education are the right to education, right against discrimination, right to health, right to
participation and to have one’s views heard, right to religion, right to respect and play,
and right to protection against all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, cruelty,
exploitation, and maltreatment (1987 Constitution, Article XV, Section 3[2]).
The Catumbalon Elementary School fully recognizes the rights of the child and
takes proactive measures to uphold not only the right of the child to special protection
but also the other rights of the child in the context of basic education.
B. POLICY STATEMENT
Towards this end, Catumbalon Elementary School in collaboration with its partners
and stakeholders, shall ensure that all schools are conducive to the education of
children. The best interest of the child shall be the paramount consideration in all
decisions and actions involving children, whether undertaken by public or private social
welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities, and legislative bodies,
consistent with the principle of First Call for Children, as enunciated in the CRC.
Teachers and learning facilitators of Catumbalon Elementary School are their substitute
parents, and are expected to discharge their functions and duties with this in mind.
Catumbalon Elementary School has adopted the policy to provide special protection
to children who are gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances which affect
their normal development and over which they have no control, and to assist the
concerned agencies in their rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVES:
Catumbalon Elementary School are called to establish relationships which are grounded
in love, compassion, reconciliation and justice. In witnessing these values, we reject ideas,
beliefs and behaviours which marginalize or victimize people.
LEGAL BASIS/FRAMEFORK:
Child Abuse ( RA 7610)
Violence Against Women & their Children( RA 9262)
Child Labor(RA 9231)
Children In Conflict with the Law( RA 9344, RA 10630)
Child Trafficking (RA 9208)
Rape (RA 8353), RA 11648)
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DEFINITIONS AND TYPES OF ABUSE:
1. "Child" — refers to any person 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.
2. "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 centers premises or participating in school sanctioned
activities.
8. "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. This may
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include those who are within the school premises for certain reasons, e.g.
student teachers, catechists, service providers, suppliers, bidders, parents and
guardians of other children.
There are two (2) main forms of child exploitation that are recognized:
a. Sexual exploitation — refers to the abuse of a position of
vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes. It
includes, but it is not limited to forcing a child to participate in
prostitution or the production of pornographic materials, as a result
of being subjected to a threat, deception, coercion, abduction, and
force, abuse of authority, debt bondage, and fraud or through abuse
of a victim's vulnerability.
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threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty. It includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:
a. Blows such as, but not limited to, beating, kicking, hitting,
slapping, or lashing, of any part of a child's body, with or
without the use of an instrument such as, but not limited to a
cane, broom, stick, whip or belt;
b. Striking of a child's face or head, such being declared as a
"no contact zone",
i. Tying up a child;
ii. Confinement, imprisonment or depriving the liberty of a
child;
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foolish, which belittles or humiliates the child in front of
others;
They shall use training modules which include positive and nonviolent
discipline in classroom management, anger and stress management and gender
sensitivity. They shall likewise employ means which enhance the skills and pedagogy
in integrating and teaching children's rights in the classroom.
The programs that are intended to promote Positive and Non-Violent Discipline
include, but are not limited to, the following:
1.1: Ensure that all pupils/learners, school personnel, parents, guardians and
community are aware of the Child Protection Policy;
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2.a. Conduct psychological capability building and mental health awareness for
school child protection committee;
b. Bullying that results in serious physical injuries or death - If the bullying or peer
abuse resulted in serious physical injuries or death, whenever appropriate, the
case shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9344
and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.
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c. Procedure - In all cases where the imposable penalty on the offending child is
suspension, exclusion or expulsion, the following minimum requirements of due
process shall be complied with:
(1) The child and the parents or guardians must be informed of the complaint in
writing;
(2) The child shall be given the opportunity to answer the complaint in writing, with
the assistance of the parents or guardian;
(3) The decision of the school head must be in writing, stating the facts and the
reasons for the decision;
(4) The decision of the school head may be appealed, as provided in existing rules of
the Department.
(Note: If the student is found to have knowingly made a false accusation of the
bullying the said student shall be subjected to disciplinary actions following the
above-mentioned process)
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IV. CHILD PROTECTION EMERGENCIES IN HANDLING CHILD ABUSE,
EXPLOITATION, VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION CASES
A.PROHIBITED ACTS
The following acts, as defined in Section 3 of this Order, are hereby prohibited
and shall be penalized in administrative proceedings as Grave or Simple Misconduct
depending on the gravity of the act and its consequences, under existing laws, rules and
regulations:
1. Child abuse;
2. Discrimination against children;
3. Child Exploitation
4. Violence Against Children in School;
5. Corporal Punishment;
6. Any analogous or similar acts.
Definition of Terms:
Child Labor:
any work or economic activity performed by a child that subjects him or her to any form of exploitation or is harmful to
his or her health and safety or physical, mental or psychological development. (IRR, Section 3[b])
Working Child:
child below 18 years of age who performs work or economic activity that is not child labor
child below 15 years of age who works:
- directly under the responsibility of his/her parents or legal guardian and where only members of the
child’s family are employed; or
- in public entertainment or information
Hours of Work:
Child is 15 or older but below 18:
-maximum of 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week
-should not work from 10 pm to 6 am
Child is below 15:
-maximum of 4 hours a day, 20 hours a week
-should not work from 8 pm to 6 am
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Dangerous Heights - refers to any elevated surface of more than (two) 2 meters
Difficult Condition - includes work performed for long hours or during the night, or where the child is
unreasonably confined to the premises of the employer
Heavy Loads - refers to any load that weighs more than 10 kg or 20% of a male child’s body weight
whichever is lesser, or 8 kg or 15% of a female child’s body weight whichever is lesser
Exceptions to the Prohibition on Employment of Children Below 15 Years of Age
Child works under the sole responsibility of his/her parents or guardian, where only members of the
child’s family are employed.
Child’s employment or participation in public entertainment or information is essential.
D.OTHER INTERVENTION:
1. Provide any possible assistance (spiritual and moral, and in-kind support)
2. Monitor the condition and performance of the survivor(victim) learner
3. Conduct one-on-one coaching and learning development assistance
4. Assist the victim in any activity required by the case procedure
5. Gather feedback and update on the status
1.In all cases involving child abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying
and other acts of abuse, the CPC shall accomplish the Intake Sheet (Annex "B").
The School Head may refer the victims and offenders in cases involving child
abuse, exploitation, discrimination, bullying or peer abuse and other acts of abuse,
to the CSWDO for assessment. The CSWDO shall determine the appropriate
intervention.
2.The School Head, with the aid of the assigned Guidance Counselor/Teacher, and
in coordination with the CSWDO, shall immediately remove the victim, or in
appropriate cases the offender, from the place of the incident, if the victim is
determined to be at risk. The child's family shall be informed of any action taken.
3.The School Head may also refer to the CSWDO other pupils, students or learners
who are victims of abuse at home, children at risk, children in especially difficult
circumstances, children with special needs or at risk, children facing difficult
situations, or those who are exhibiting signs of aggressive behavior, with a view to
obtaining professional assessment, appropriate interventions and assistance from
competent service providers.
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V. WORKING WITH PARTNERS
7. Coordinate closely with the Women and Child Protection Desks of the
Philippine National Police (PNP), the City Social Welfare and
Development Office (CSWDO), other government agencies, and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), as may be appropriate;
The School Heads shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Ensure the institution of effective child protection policies and procedures, and
monitor compliance thereof;
3. Ensure that all pupils, students or learners, school personnel, parents, guardians
or custodians, and visitors and guests are made aware of child protection
policy (Annex "C").
4. Organize and convene the Child Protection Committee for the school;
5. Conduct the capacity building activities for the members of the Child
Protection Committee and Guidance Counselors/Teachers;
10.Ensure that the school adopts a student Code of Conduct to be followed by every
pupil, student or learner while on school grounds, or when traveling to and from
school, or during a school-sponsored activity, and during lunch period, whether on
or off campus;
11.Adopt such conflict resolution mechanisms that respect the rights of indigenous
peoples, provided that they conform to this Department Order and they uphold the
rights of the child;
12.Coordinate with the appropriate offices and other agency or instrumentality for
appropriate assistance and intervention, as may be required in the performance of
its functions;
13.Coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development or, the
appropriate government agencies or non-governmental organizations on a Child
Protection Hotline for reporting abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination,
bullying and other similar acts and for counseling;
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHERS:
Article 218 of the Family Code of the Philippines provides the following
responsibilities of school administrators, teachers, academic and nonacademic and
other personnel:
1. Exercise special parental authority and responsibility over the child while
under their supervision, instruction and custody. Authority and responsibility
shall apply to all authorized activities whether inside or outside the premises of
the school, entity or institution.
2. Articles 220 and 233 of the Family Code of the Philippines, Presidential
Decree No. 603, and other related laws enumerated the following duties and
responsibilities of the abovementioned persons and personnel over the children
under their supervision, instruction and custody:
3.Keep them in their company and support, educate and instruct them by right
precept and good example;
4.Give them love and affection, advice and counsel, companionship and
understanding;
5.Enhance, protect, preserve and maintain their physical and mental health at all
times;
6. Furnish them with good and wholesome educational materials, supervise their
activities, recreation and association with others, protect them from bad company
and prevent them from acquiring habits detrimental to their health, studies and
morals;
10. Perform such other duties as are imposed by law upon them, as substitute parent or
guardians; and
11. School personnel shall also strictly comply with the school's child protection
policy.
A. Pupils, students and learners shall have the following duties and
responsibilities:
1. Comply with the school's regulations, as long as they are in harmony
with their best interests. Pupils, students and learners shall refrain from:
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iii. Participating in behavior of other students that is illegal, unsafe
or abusive;
iv. Marking or damaging school property, including books, in any
way;
v. Engaging in fights or any aggressive behavior;
7. Coordinate closely with the Women and Child Protection Desks of the
Philippine National Police (PNP), the City Social Welfare and
Development Office (CSWDO), other government agencies, and non-
governmental organizations (NGOs), as may be appropriate;
9. Ensure that the children's right to be heard are respected and upheld in
all matters and procedures affecting their welfare.
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VI. MONITORING AND ADJUSTMENT:
JURISDICTION:
CONFIDENTIALITY:
On the other hand, the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers protects
the rights of teachers and no publicity shall be given to any disciplinary action
against a teacher during the pendency of his or her case.
EFFECTIVITY:
This Policy and Guidelines on Protecting Pupils in Catumbalon Elementary School
from abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse shall take
effect immediately upon issuance.
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Appendix 1 – Bullying / Harassment Reporting Template
Date: / ___ /
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Name(s) of target(s)
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Name(s) of witnesses
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Brief description of incident (what was allegedly said or done to the student
who appears to have been bullied?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Describe how you responded (Did you use a school anti-bullying practice?)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Effectivity:
PTA OFFICERS
School Year: 2022-2023
RUEL A. ACERA
Principal-I
Effectivity:
PTA OFFICERS
School Year: 2023-2024
NANDY L. RAFANAN
Principal-I