Pursuant to Dep-Ed order No. 40 s. 2012.   the Department of Education issues the enclosed copy of the Policy and Guidelines on Protecting Children in School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation, Discrimination, Bullying and other Forms of Abuse entitled “DEPED CHILD PROTECTION POLICY”

            This policy aims to ensure that all schools are conducive to the education of children. The best interest of the child shall be the paramount consideration in all discussions, actions involving children. It also provides special protection to children who are gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances. Accordingly, it also reiterates a zero tolerance for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse. In this connection, Family Code empowers the school, its administrators and teachers or the individual entity or institution, engaged in child are to exercise the special parental authority and responsibility over the child while under their supervision, instruction or custody.

            As directives, schools need to conduct orientation and stress debriefing regarding on this matter, as a result students, parents and teachers have an in depth knowledge about the policy           that gives way to understand the right and protection of a child, increase awareness in different forms of abuse that calls their attention to uplift their dignity as a person being abused and victims of violence. Students became aware on how they will protect themselves and refuse the occasion to get involved in such forms specifically bullying. Teachers have also realized   their full responsibility to execute their parental power to give protection on a child in the same way  lessen their forms of giving punishment to the students but instead giving them love and care on how they help students who have encountered problems.

By: Jane L. Mason | Teacher III | Kitang Elem. School | Limay, Bataan