This, even as the DepEd also issued Memorandum No. 94, s. 2016 or the Promotion of Online Child Protection and Prevention of Cyberbullying to protect pupils and students from the dangers of modern information technology.
The DepEd also reiterated its stand against “the use of corporal punishment or any kind of punishment imposed for an alleged or actual offense, which is carried out by a teacher, school administrator, an adult, or any other child who has been given or has assumed authority or responsibility for punishment or discipline.”
DepEd regional information offi cer Michelle Catap-Lacson said “children must be protected from all forms of abuse and violence, and schools must provide an environment that is safe, free from fear, and conducive to learning.”
She noted that the mandatory creation of CPCs in elementary and secondary schools is based on the DepEd Order No. 40 laying out its Child Protection Policy promulgated way back in 2012.
“The order requires all public and private elementary and secondary schools to create their own Child Protection Committee (CPC). The CPC should ensure that cases and instances of abuse are monitored closely at school level. The committee will also assess the reports and complaints, and will conduct investigations, expeditiously, “ Catap-Lacson said.
She stressed that DepEd is holding a “nationwide information campaign to mobilize and educate the students, parents, teachers, community, local government units, and other stakeholders in addressing child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, bullying and other forms of abuse.”
She also said that the DepEd, in cooperation with E-Net Philippines and Save the Children, launched the Primer on Positive Discipline for Everyday Teaching “to help teachers apply a positive approach in classroom management.”
At the same time, Catap-Lacson also said that to cope with the eff ects of modern information technology, the DepEd has also issued Memorandum No. 94, s. 2016 or the Promotion of Online Child Protection and Prevention of Cyberbullying.
“Under this memorandum, the DepEd partnered with Stairway Foundation, Inc (SFI) to ensure that learners are protected from cyberbullying and from other potential risks of using the internet,” Catap-Lacson said.
Dubbed as the Cybersafe Project, the partnership has launched the Cybersafe Online Lesson Plans for Grades Five and Six (Manual 1) and Junior High School (Manual 2). These modules were designed to aid teachers in developing the students’ capacities to stay safe online by promoting positive online behavior and teaching students how to recognize and respond to cyberbullying, she also said.
The modules are uploaded on the DepEd Learning Resources Management and Development System (LRDMS) portal and the Cybersafe Project portal atwww.cybersafe.asia, Catap-Lacson also said.
