Implementation of child protection policy in public secondary schools

Thesis Master of Arts in Education major in Guidance and Counseling University of Rizal System-Morong 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of child protection policy in public secondary schools in binangonan during the school year 2015-2016. The phases that were assessed by the respondents included the process, special protection, rights of the child and participatory rights. Teachers' involvement in the implementation was likewise assessed by the school/guidance counselor. The data gathered served as input to guidance intervention program. The study made use of the descriptive evaluative method research utilizing a researcher-made questionnaire and was content validated by the experts. Reliability of item was checked using cronbach's alpha. The statistical tools used in the study were mean, frequency and percentage distribution, and analysis of variance. Sample population of students, teachers, parents and guidance counselors of each public secondary school of binangonan were used. Respondents randomly chosen were the grade 10 students with 356 total respondents in whom the program was implemented since it was mandated, parents of the grade 10 level with 356 total respondents, teachers with 224 respondents and 9 school guidance counselor. Based on the results of child protection policy in public secondary schools in binangonan was much implemented in contrast to teachers' assessment of very much implemented. The three groups of respondents assessed differently the phases of the policy based on the data gathered. In view of parent and student respondents, the policy still need to be improved accordingly on phase of participatory rights and special protection. Based on their assessment, the schools need consultation when planning school activities particularly involving beneficiaries. It also found out that parents and students observed that the school environment must promote protection against neglect, abuse and exploitation when it comes to students' rights. Contrary in the findings on school/guidance counselors' assessment on teachers' involvement in the implementation of the child protection policy, it was found out to be very much involved particularly in attending the annual orientation regarding child protection and being aware of the contents of the policy. Equally important in the findings were the problems encountered by the school/guidance counselors as listed were financial resources for implementation of the program, perception and bias opinions of stakeholders, parents and students' awareness, participation and hesitation to fight for their rights. From the results gathered the following conclusions were drawn. The Implementation of child protection policy in public secondary schools of binangonan was assessed to be much implemented. The students and parents have common perception which is significantly different from the teachers on the implementation of child protection. Teachers' cooperation and involvement was significant in implementing child protection policy for they were direct implementers of the policy. Allocation of fund in implementation, re-orientation of the advantages and importance of child protection to eradicate biases and wrong perception and empowerment of students and parents to fight for their rights, were the assessed needs of the program for its effective and efficient implementation.