by Myra Mangampo, Project Coordinator for SAGIP
In an effort to strengthen child protection mechanisms within sponsorship program areas, a comprehensive three-day training was conducted for 47 Supreme Secondary Learners Government (SSLG) Officers and 46 Parent Representatives from the twelve partner schools in Albay and Sorsogon area last September 20-22, 2024 at Hotel St. Ellis, Legazpi City. The focus of this training was on the Child Protection Manual and Toolkit, designed to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to safeguard the well-being of children and champion child protection gearing towards to creating a safe and secured environment for children.
The training kicked off with an introduction to the fundamental concepts of child protection where participants engaged in discussions about the rights of children, child protection building blocks and the importance of creating safe learning environments, and the roles that both SSLG officers and parents play in safeguarding children.
The first day concluded with an overview of the Child Protection Manual, highlighting its objectives, structure, and the general concepts about child protection.
The second day was dedicated to the legal bases of the child protection and the child protection mechanism in the Philippines to strengthen child protection in the community. A workshop on describing the child protection system in their respective community was performed. Participants were able to identify the existing strategies of their local government unit on protecting children and enumerated gaps and challenges on addressing child protection concerns. They also learned how to implement the tools and strategies outlined in the manual to create actionable plans within their schools.
The final day focused on the development of action plans for cascading the toolkit in both schools and community. Discussions centered on how to popularize the toolkit using variety of communication strategies to the community, including parents, learners, and local organizations, to foster a collaborative approach to child safety. Participants collaborated in groups to create strategies that will effectively implement the sharing of the toolkit to their communities that will create impact to the children in the areas. Each partner school worked on drafting a comprehensive action plan integrating communication strategy in popularizing the child protection manual and toolkit in their respective schools.
The training concluded with a simulation activity of the toolkit showcasing their preparedness to popularize the toolkit. Participants were encouraged to continue collaborating and sharing resources to ensure sustained efforts in child protection.
The three-day training on the Child Protection Manual and Toolkit proved to be an invaluable experience for SSLG officers and parent representatives. This pool of trainers is equipped with knowledge, practical tools, and a collaborative network, are now prepared to advocate for child protection and implement effective child protection strategies in their communities. They are now more adept in using the toolkit to develop tailored strategies for their schools, ensuring that child protection is a priority in their community.
By prioritizing child safety and well-being, nurturing environments are created where every child can thrive. Educo Philippines created a bigger population with commitment towards a safer future for our children.
