Reinforcing Safety Nets for a Secure Learning Sphere: The Case of Child Protection Policy in Aroroy, Masbate

Abstract

Amidst the different child protection laws and policies, there are still prevalent cases of child abuse in school which greatly affect leaner’s growth in a safe environment. This study employed a mixed-method approach to assess the awareness and implementation of child protection policies among school heads and teachers in the public schools of Aroroy, aiming to fill existing gaps. It also sought to identify prevalent cases of child abuse and propose interventions to enhance policy implementation. Quantitative data were gathered via a survey administered to clustered, simple random, and stratified sampled 54 school heads and 294 teachers, while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with seven purposively selected victims. For the findings, the school heads and teachers are knowledgeable about the Child Protection Policy. The policy has been implemented to a great extent, showing that while there is a significant level of implementation of the policy, there is still a necessity to enhance its execution to fully incorporate all its aspects. Sexual abuse, corporal punishment, and bullying are prevalent in various schools of Aroroy. The research discovered 15 interventions that will enhance its implementation in schools. Hence, the researcher concluded that it is crucial to reinforce safety nets with necessary interventions to strengthen the enforcement of the Child Protection Policy. The study recommends that educational institutions should adopt and utilize the identified interventions, which include the pamphlet, video campaign, and training program to raise awareness and enhance the implementation of the policy, ensuring a safe learning environment for the learners.