Journal Details
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Pages: 1114-1133
Abstract
The study assessed the synergy of communities and school leaders in ensuring child protection policy. The study utilized quantitative method employing descriptive correlational design. There was a total of 80 respondents coming from 16 schools in Daet North District composed of school personnel specifically school head, guidance counselor/designate, and faculty president, and community leaders such as School Parent-Teacher Association president and School Governance Council or the Child Protection Committee SGC or CPC representative from barangay like Barangay Captaion or Barangay Councilor. The data analysis revealed that the overall synergy between the school and the community is at a medium level. The implementing strategies practiced by schools coincide with that of community schemes which mainly revolve on establishment of Child Protection Committees, foster more linkages and connections with other agencies, and actively engaging members to seminars and capacity building for a more versatile ability to respond and implement child protection policy. Furthermore, Pearson Product Moment Correlation (r) revealed high significant positive moderate relationships among the parameters of level of synergy and that of strategies such as coordination, capacities and resources and service delivery suggesting that strong collaboration and alignment in these key areas contribute to the successful implementation of child protection efforts. In addition, both school and community leaders face significant challenges in the implementation of the child protection policy including resistance to change, complacency, insufficient financial resources, and lack of awareness among stakeholders. Thus, a need to development of an intervention plan is suggested to further strengthen child protection implementation.