CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Jesus' Flock Academy Foundation, Inc.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Including Specific Anti-Bullying Policy Statements

OBJECTIVE

Promote a zero-tolerance policy for any act of child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying, and other forms of abuse.

I. FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS

JESUS’ FLOCK ACADEMY FOUNDATION, INC. (JFA) is fully committed to promoting children’s rights, notably their right to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation. JFA has a duty of care to implement effective policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. In order to achieve this we will ensure the following:

  • That as an educational institution, we will actively endeavor to fulfill our role of providing quality academic training – keeping in mind that each child is a unique individual. We believe that part of protecting the child is to provide venues for the discovery of his God-given talents and abilities so that he develops his full potential by prescribing a curricular track that will prepare him for his future station in life.
  • That as a Christian school, we will maintain effective child discipline that is Bible-based because it is our conviction that the Word of God is the final authority in all aspects of life. We believe that by teaching a child to set boundaries and parameters through rules and regulations, and the efficient implementation of these, a child grows into adulthood with a balanced view of his rights in line with his responsibilities – thus, ultimately protecting him through wise living.
  • That as a partner of the government, the Department of Education in particular, we will support its campaign on child protection as embodied in the “DepEd Child Protection Policy” enclosed in DepEd Order No. 40 s. 2012. We recognize the duties and responsibilities of the school and school personnel stated in the policy as well as the duties and responsibilities of the pupils, students, and learners stated therein. We believe that a balanced emphasis given to the duties and responsibilities of both the school and the learners will provide ultimate protection for all. To ensure this, Staff Rules, Regulations and Practices on Discipline in the Workers’ Handbook and a Student Standard of Conduct-Student’s Letter of Commitment are enforced (Appendix A).
  • That as an employer, we will ensure that our staff and volunteers are carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised. This policy aims to prepare them as effective agents of discipline as well as protect them from unfair and false accusations by students and parents.
  • That as partners of parents and guardians, we will exercise parental authority and responsibility over the pupils, students and learners while under our supervision, instruction and custody in all authorized activities whether inside or outside the school premises. We believe that this authority is given by the parents through the Parents’ Commitment and Understanding and Parents’ Letter of Agreement (Appendix B) signed upon registration.
  • That as “second” parents of the pupils, students and learners, we will provide a balance of nourishment and discipline.

II. GENERAL CHILD PROTECTION POLICY PRINCIPLES

With the foundational statements, JESUS’ FLOCK ACADEMY FOUNDATION, INC. (JFA) will:

  1. Ensure that the school shall be conducive to learning and children shall have the right to education free from fear;
  1. Ensure that all children shall be protected from all forms of abuse and bullying to develop self-esteem and self-confidence;
  1. Advocate a positive and non-violent mode of disciplining children to foster self-discipline and to improve self-esteem;
  1. Ensure that corporal correction shall not be used in school for the purpose of discipline, training, or control;
  1. Take steps to prevent bullying and ensure that the appropriate interventions, counseling and other services, are provided for the victims of abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, and bullying;
  1. Ensure that pupils, students or learners shall respect the rights of others and refrain from committing acts of bullying and peer violence;
  1. Ensure that parents shall be actively involved in all school activities, or events that raise awareness on children’s rights, positive discipline, and the prevention of bullying;
  1. Ensure that the school shall orient visitors and guests on the Child Protection Policy.
  1. Establish a Child Protection Committee, of which composition are updated every school year.

Further, JFA shall:

  1. Coordinate with appropriate offices and other agencies for appropriate assistance and intervention, as may be required in the performance of its functions;
  1. Ensure that all workers understand their legal and moral obligations to protect children and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation;
  1. Develop best practices in relation to the recruitment of all workers – full-time, part-time or volunteers;
  1. Ensure that all workers – fulltime, part-time or volunteers – understand their responsibility to work to the standards and procedures detailed in the school’s Workers’ Handbook;
  1. Ensure that all workers understand their obligations to report care or protection concerns about a pupil, student or learner, or a worker’s conduct towards a pupil, student or learner, to the school head;
  1. Ensure that all procedures relating to the conduct of workers are implemented in a consistent and equitable manner;
  1. Ensure that the school meets all its responsibilities in adhering to the requirements of the DepEd Child Protection Policy;
  1. Provide opportunities for all workers – fulltime, part-time and volunteers – to develop their skills and knowledge particularly in relation to the care and protection of children and young people;
  1. Endeavour to keep up to date with national developments relating to the care and protection of children and young people.

III. SPECIFIC ANTI-BULLYING POLICY STATEMENTS

In compliance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (Republic Acts 10627), JFA will:

  1. Prohibit the following consistent with Section 3 of the Act –

a. Bullying in the school grounds and its adjacent properties, in school-sponsored or school-related activities on or off the school grounds, vehicles leased by the school for special events, and school buses accredited by the school.

b. Cyber-bullying – bullying through the use of technology and electronic device or other forms of media owned, leased, or used by the school.

c. Retaliation against a person reporting a case of bullying.

  1. Address bullying through preventive and intervention programs as provided for in Rule IV Sections 6 and 7 of the Anti-Bullying Law.
  1. Implement the mechanisms and procedures provided for in Rule VI Sections 8.4-8.6 of the Anti-Bullying Law.

IV. PROTOCOL ON DISCIPLINE CASES

JFA will follow the general procedures in handling disciplinary cases:

  1. All child abuse and bullying incidents shall be reported to the School Head.
  1. The School Head shall in turn inform the parents of the students concerned and a meeting shall be held for that purpose.
  1. The student shall be referred to the CPC for counseling and other interventions.
  1. The school may impose measures in accordance with the Conduct Policies stated in the Information Handbook using the principles of positive and non-violent discipline.
  1. Punitive measures such as suspension or dismissal will be a last resort.

V. THE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE

The Composition (SY 20120-2021):

  • Chairperson – Rev. Erich Bernard V. Santos, Pastor-Administrator
  • Vice Chairperson – Ms. Karen Grace M. Romero, Principal
  • Faculty Representative – Mr. Emilio S. Marcelo
  • Parents’ Representative – Mr. Oliver Baisa
  • Students’ Representative – Student Council President

The Functions of CPC: 

  1. Initiate information dissemination programs and organize activities for the protection of children including awareness-raising programs in preventing and addressing bullying;
  1. Establish a system for identifying students who may be suffering from significant harm based on any physical, emotional or behavioral signs;
  1. Monitor all cases or incidents related to child abuse and bullying;
  1. Monitor the implementation of positive measures and effective procedures in providing the necessary support for the child and for those who care for the child;
  1. Ensure that the children’s right to be heard is respected and upheld in all matters and procedures affecting their welfare; and
  1. Make the necessary referrals to appropriate agencies, offices or persons, as may be required by circumstances.