Through a series of webinars, the Philippine Science High School System conducted a Capacity Building Program for Discipline Officers that stresses the importance of child protection on November 18-20.

The Learning Session Series aimed to provide information and updates on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other related UN Protocols, Legal perspectives and processes on handling students and alternative approaches in stealing discipline.

According to Atty. Charisse Diño of the PSHS-Office of the Executive Director, the capability training clarified the scope, limitations and jurisdiction of campuses in so far as the PSHS System Code of Conduct is concerned and reiterated the proper delineation of roles, functions and responsibilities of every “actor” at different stages of the administrative proceedings.

“It [the capability building] gives updates to the participants on the best practices and principles of Due Process in Student Discipline Cases and the Rights of the Child in the conduct of investigations and formal hearings, and directs the participants on the proper steps to handle and protect the students online especially in this new environment of learning,” Diño said.

Atty. Diño also served as resource speaker and focused on “Discipline Cases covered by Special Laws and Administrative Proceedings on Student Discipline.”

Ma. Victoria S. Diaz, Development Officer IV and Atty. Julie Ann B. Regalado, Chief, Child Rights Center of the Commission on Human Rights, tackled “The UN Convention on the Rights of Children and recent UNCRC Protocols” and “Domestic Laws, Policies and Guidelines on Parental Authority,” respectively.

Ms. Wilma Banaga of Save the Children discussed Positive Discipline Approaches, and Mr. Ysrael Diloy of Stairway Foundation talked about “Handling Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).”

Sixty-three participants from PSHS campuses nationwide joined the virtual training.

 

(Aries N. Oliveros, Executive Assistant)