ASSESSMENT OF POLICY IMPLEMENTATION ON CHILD PROTECTION OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

บทคัดย่อ

This study assessed the status of the policy implementation on child protection of public elementary schools in District 8, Masbate City Division. It utilized mixed methods of research involving 53 respondents in total, including 4 school heads, 4 school child protection coordinators, and 45 teachers. Respondents were selected using complete enumeration and stratified random sampling techniques. With an adopted survey questionnaire composed of two parts: a checklist form and open-ended questions, and the use of statistical tools like frequency count, percentage, and weighted mean, along with thematic analysis, results revealed that the policy implementation on child protection is highly implemented as perceived by the respondents. Challenges encountered during and best practices along implementation of the policy were also identified and discussed. It is therefore recommended that schools should further strengthen collaboration with parents and stakeholders, continue conduct information dissemination, enhance referral and monitoring system, allot funds to finance activities and programs, and improve system on identifying children who are at risk of being abused, discriminated, exploited, and bullied to further effectively implement the policy on child protection.