Educ 101.

THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT LEARNERS AND LEARNING PRINCIPLES

SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

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Catanduanes State University- College of Education

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 Educ 101. THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT LEARNERS AND LEARNING PRINCIPLES

SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

“Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment.
We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.” — Nelson
Mandela, former president of South Africa

A child-friendly, learner-friendly environment is one of the important supports we must give our
children. For the teaching and learning process to be successful, children- our learners, must be
protected. They must feel safe and secure not only in the environment where they live in but from the
people surrounding them in this environment.

Article XV, Sec. 3 (2) of the 1987 Constitution states that The State shall defend the right of
children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms
of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.

Even before the 1987 Constitution, the Philippines already has enacted laws to defend the right
of the child. One of these laws is the Child and Youth Welfare Code, also known as Presidential Decree
No. 603 signed on December 10, 1974 by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Its goal is to protect
the welfare of children and young people in the country.

The Child and Youth Welfare Code covers a number of topics, including:
• Defining youthful offenders: The law defines what a youthful offender is, including the
age range of those who are considered youthful offenders.
• Care and examination of youthful offenders: The law covers the care and examination
of youthful offenders.
• Suspension of sentence: The law covers the suspension of sentences for youthful
offenders.
• Rehabilitation: The law covers the rehabilitation of youthful offenders.
• Rights and responsibilities: The law outlines the rights and responsibilities of children
and parents.
• Role of the Ministry of Social Services and Development: The law directs the Ministry
of Social Services and Development now known as the Department of Social Welfare
and Development to provide services to help with youth development.

The law also states that children have the right to life, family care, education, recreation, and
protection from harm.

An important part of the law is Article 3 which reiterates the Rights of the Child which are as
follows:

All children shall be entitled to the rights herein set forth without distinction as to legitimacy or
illegitimacy, sex, social status, religion, political antecedents, and other factors.

1. Every child is endowed with the dignity and worth of a human being from the moment of his
conception, as generally accepted in medical parlance, and has, therefore, the right to be born
well.
2. Every child has the right to a wholesome family life that will provide him with love, care and
understanding, guidance and counseling, and moral and material security.

The dependent or abandoned child shall be provided with the nearest substitute for a home.

3. Every child has the right to a well-rounded development of his personality to the end that he
may become a happy, useful and active member of society.

The gifted child shall be given opportunity and encouragement to develop his special talents.
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SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The emotionally disturbed or socially maladjusted child shall be treated with sympathy and
understanding, and shall be entitled to treatment and competent care.

The physically or mentally handicapped child shall be given the treatment, education and care
required by his particular condition.

4. Every child has the right to a balanced diet, adequate clothing, sufficient shelter, proper
medical attention, and all the basic physical requirements of a healthy and vigorous life.
5. Every child has the right to be brought up in an atmosphere of morality and rectitude for the
enrichment and the strengthening of his character.
6. Every child has the right to an education commensurate with his abilities and to the
development of his skills for the improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his
fellowmen.
7. Every child has the right to full opportunities for safe and wholesome recreation and activities,
individual as well as social, for the wholesome use of his leisure hours.
8. Every child has the right to protection against exploitation, improper influences, hazards, and
other conditions or circumstances prejudicial to his physical, mental, emotional, social and
moral development.
9. Every child has the right to live in a community and a society that can offer him an environment
free from pernicious influences and conducive to the promotion of his health and the cultivation
of his desirable traits and attributes.
10. Every child has the right to the care, assistance, and protection of the State, particularly when
his parents or guardians fail or are unable to provide him with his fundamental needs for
growth, development, and improvement.
11. Every child has the right to an efficient and honest government that will deepen his faith in
democracy and inspire him with the morality of the constituted authorities both in their public
and private lives.
12. Every child has the right to grow up as a free individual, in an atmosphere of peace,
understanding, tolerance, and universal brotherhood, and with the determination to contribute
his share in the building of a better world.

In 2006, PD 603, was amended to RA 9344- the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of
2006. The act introduced a new juvenile justice system that emphasizes restorative justice over
punishment, and upholds the principle that children should not be treated as adults. It also adopts
UN standards on juvenile justice. This is to ensure the protection and safety of juveniles that commit
crimes.
The law establishes a separate juvenile justice system, where detention is a last resort. It
also provides for child-appropriate proceedings, including programs and services for prevention,
diversion, rehabilitation, reintegration, and aftercare.
The following features are included in the law:
o Raising the age of criminal responsibility from 9 to 15 years of age
o Prohibiting the detention of children in jails
o Enumerating the rights of children in conflict with the law
o Creating the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) to ensure the effective
implementation of the law

Aside from these laws, in 2013, the then-president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III,
mandated all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address the acts of
bullying in their institutions. This law is referred to as Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of
2013.

The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10627) is a law in the Philippines that aims
to protect students from bullying in schools. The law requires all public and private elementary and
secondary schools to create and implement anti-bullying policies. The law also defines bullying and
outlines consequences for non-compliance.

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SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The law defines bullying as "any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written,
verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at
another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical
or emotional harm or damage to his property.

Acts considered as bullying include:

• unwanted physical contact

• any act that causes damage to a victim's psyche and/or emotional well-being
• slander
• cyber-bullying

Under the law, school administrators who fail to comply may face administrative sanctions.
Private schools, on the other hand, may lose their permit to operate.

Another law enacted to protect children is the DepEd Order No. 40, s 2012 known as DepEd
Child Protection Policy. This recognizes the concerns of the children who are gravely threatened or
endangered by all kinds of violence, exploitation, and abuse that affect their normal development and
their rights to education such as:

• Child abuse;
• Discrimination against children;
• Child exploitation;
• Sexual and Economic Exploitation;
• Violence against children committed in school;
• Bullying and peer pressure;
• Corporal Punishment, and
• All forms of Abuse.

Through this law, the Department of Education iterates a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of
child abuse and exploitation. This also aims to create a safe and nurturing environment by promoting
positive discipline and fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and empathy. This will also help
promote and cultivate a nurturing and respectful environment in which every child can thrive in.

The following are the Objectives of DepEd Order 40:

• Protect the rights of children and ensure proper care and nutrition
• Prevent all forms of abuse, discrimination, exploitation, violence, corporal
punishment, and other similar acts against children
• Protect children from any acts of bullying
• Encourage educational institutions to promote patriotism, nationalism, love, and
respect for humanity
• Educational institutions should also boost etical and spiritual values, teach the
duties and rights of citizenship, and assist in developing personal discipline and
moral character
• Promote equal opportunity and perform preventive measures to encourage
children to attend school regularly and minimize dropout rates
• Ensure all educational institutions whether private or public school, have a
conducive learning environment for children

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 Educ 101. THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT LEARNERS AND LEARNING PRINCIPLES

SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Answer this……..

A. Choose one RIGHT of a CHILD and create a comic strip illustrating that certain right. Provide
a brief description and explanation why the selected right is essential in the life of a child.

B. Pretend that you are talk-show host and you have a guest who will discuss the importance
of child protection. Write a Talk-Show script regarding this.

Here’s a step-by-step guide in the script you will be writing. Write this in a short bond paper.

Structure of your script:

Introduction

• Grab your reader’s attention with a strong opening statement or a powerful

anecdote.
• Clearly state your topic: “The Importance of Child Protection.”
• Briefly outline the main points you will cover.

Body

• Define Child Abuse: Explain the different types of child abuse and neglect.
• Highlight the Impact: Discuss the devastating consequences of child abuse on
children’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
• Role of Educators: Emphasize the crucial role of educators in protecting children.
• Prevention Strategies: Share practical tips on how to prevent child abuse, such as
creating a safe and supportive learning environment, building strong relationships
with students, and being vigilant for signs of abuse.
• Reporting Procedures: Explain the importance of reporting suspected cases of
child abuse to the appropriate authorities.

Conclusion

• Summarize your main points.

• Reiterate the importance of child protection.
• End with a strong call to action, encouraging your audience to take a stand against
child abuse and neglect.

Thank you.

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 Educ 101. THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT LEARNERS AND LEARNING PRINCIPLES

SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

References:

https://depedph.com/deped-order-40/

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/678990/quick-facts-to-know-about-anti-
bullying-act-of-2013/story/