Justice Emilio Angeles Gancayco Memorial High School Faculty and Staff underwent a two day rigid training on Child Protection Policy from May 28 – 29, 2014, attended by 47 teaching staff and 14 non teaching personnel. Its main objective is to make everybody aware on how to protect children from abuses, exploitation, violence, discrimination and other related cases.
It started with a welcome remarks from Ma’am Zulita I. Villones (School Principal – II), where she gave an emphasis on simple ways of protecting the basic rights of children in school like giving chances to all the students in JEAGMHS to be enrolled no matter how naughty and irresponsible they are because for her every academic year is a time for change and development. She also mentioned that teachers must try to see good things from a child everyday in school. Ma’am Zulita also reminded everyone to avoid shouting and using vulgar words against the wrong doings of students because according to her all these factors can trigger the lost of self respect, confidence and worst, this might cause them traumatized. Ma’am ended her talk with sharing her admiration to a newly enrolled 21 year old female student in JEAGMHS from Mindanao that despite of her age and all the problems she encountered, she is now adamant to continue and finish her education. According to Ma’am Zulita, it is a challenge to all teachers her story, a proof that students know that they are protected while in school so it is our part to give them the protection they expected.
The said seminar was headed and administered by Ma’am Amorfil Perona ( JEAGMHS’ guidance counselor ) who discussed on Positive Approach to Discipline Handling Disclosure and Gender Based Violence, while Ma’am Miguela Cayabyab tackled on Understanding Children Their Needs and Development and Ma’am Jermie Alicante talked on Child Rights and History of Human Rights. There were also invited speakers like Sir Omar (Principal of Orani ) who expounded on Child Protection Policy / Case Management and Formulation of a School – Based Child Protection Policy together with the Guidance Counselor of Bonifacio Camacho National High School who discussed on On – Line Safety and Cyber Bullying.
Consequently, different workshops were done on each discussed topic. Like writing the insights gained on meta cards, giving solutions on legal matters involving abused children in school and all the teaching and non teaching staff committed to create a School Based – Child Protection Policy.
The two day seminar was very fruitful and mind awakening, that teachers are not only educators but also a lawyer who protects the rights of each students.
By: ERWIN V. GOMEZ | Teacher I | JEAG MHS | Orion, Bataan
