A Child-friendly School is more than a place for formal lessons. It respects all the rights of children, not only their right to education, and builds a learning environment where children can grow healthy, learn as much as they are able, and become responsible members of their community. This guide explains what a Child-friendly School is, its five traits, and the seven goals it aims to achieve. It is written for principals, teachers, and parents who want to help their school become one.
On this page 10 sections
When can a school be called a Child-friendly School?
A Child-friendly School recognizes and respects the full range of children’s rights. Besides the right to be educated, these include the right to:
- be healthy
- have opportunities for play and leisure
- be protected from harm and abuse
- express their views freely
- take part in decision-making, according to their growing abilities
While it upholds these rights, a Child-friendly School also teaches children the responsibilities that come with them:
- respect the rights of others
- respect diversity
- practice equality
- settle differences without violence
It also takes the lead in shaping a learning environment that lets children grow healthy, gain knowledge and skills they can use throughout life, and become responsible and productive members of their community and society.
Think back: how did you like school?
Many of us see school as a place for serious learning, but rarely as a place to enjoy learning or to have a say in what we learn. Were you ever asked what and how you wanted to learn? Words like rights and enjoyment are often missing from student handbooks and school circulars.
As a teacher, principal, or parent, you may worry that being soft on children, giving them choices, or letting them speak freely will weaken discipline. People have different views on how children learn best, but most would agree on one thing: school is for children.
What is a school?
Dictionaries usually define a school as:
- an institution devoted mainly to giving knowledge or developing certain skills
- the building or buildings where instruction is given
- any sphere or means of instruction
What makes up a school?
- Learners. A school exists for those seeking knowledge, so it is made up first of pupils.
- Teachers. Teachers care for children, meet their learning needs, and nurture their interests.
- The physical school. The building and its facilities: classrooms, a gym or activity area, play grounds for young children, toilets, drinking fountains, and the like.
- The learning environment. This is the most important part. It is all of the above combined, and more: parents, siblings, other relatives, and the people and things in the community around the school.
When all of these interact well with each other, children learn better. Learning does not stop at the classroom door. It continues when a child goes home to the family, plays with neighbors, runs an errand to the sari-sari store, or attends a religious service. A healthy learning environment improves academic achievement and supports the child’s physical, psychological, social, and emotional growth.
Who provides the learning environment?
School principals, teachers, parents and families, community institutions such as the barangay council, other community members, and the children themselves all support each other in creating and improving the learning environment.
The five traits of a Child-friendly School
1. Inclusive, gender-sensitive, and non-discriminating
The school:
- does not turn away any child from enrolling and attending classes for any reason
- gives boys and girls equal learning opportunities
- treats all children equally, regardless of gender, social status, cultural origin, or religious belief
2. Effective with children
It is child-centered. It:
- keeps the best interest of the child in mind in all learning activities
- has a curriculum that meets the learning needs of the child, the community, and society
- uses teaching methods suited to the child’s age, abilities, and ways of learning
- encourages children to think and decide for themselves, ask questions, and share their opinions
It promotes quality learning. It:
- makes sure children master the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, and mathematics, plus skills they can use through life
- encourages children to learn by doing, and by doing things with others
- makes sure teachers are qualified and keep improving
- makes sure teachers and staff are physically fit, adequately paid, and highly motivated
It encourages children to take part in school and community activities. It:
- encourages children to work together to solve problems and reach their aims
- encourages children to express their feelings through the arts, such as music, drawing, and drama
3. Healthy for children
The school:
- promotes children’s health
- keeps buildings, grounds, and facilities safe, clean, and healthy, with enough water and sanitary facilities
- has written policies and regular practices that promote good health
- includes health education and life skills in its curriculum
- hosts regular health services for children, such as immunization
4. Caring and protective of all children
The school:
- keeps children safe and secure
- helps defend and protect children from harm and abuse
- encourages children to care for each other
- does not allow physical punishment of children
- has clear rules of conduct among students and does not allow bullying
5. Involves families and the community
It works closely with families. It:
- consults parents and asks for their views on school policies and activities
- holds regular talks with parents about their children’s learning progress
- works with parents so children practice at home what they learn in school
- cares, as parents do, that children get enough nutrition and stay healthy
- cares about children’s safety inside the school and on their way to and from school
It engages community institutions and individuals. It:
- enlists their support for projects and activities for children
- speaks for and upholds children’s interests in community assemblies
The seven goals of a Child-friendly School
A Child-friendly School should aim to:
- Encourage children’s participation in school and community
- Enhance children’s health and well-being
- Guarantee safe and protective spaces for children
- Encourage enrolment and completion
- Ensure children’s high academic achievement and success
- Raise teachers’ morale and motivation
- Mobilize community support for education
How can your school work toward these goals?
The Child-friendly School approach uses a checklist of action items under each of the seven goals. To use it:
- Read the action items listed under each goal.
- Tick the box before each item your school has done or does regularly.
- Add up the ticks and write the total in the box after each goal.
- Use the totals to track your progress toward becoming a Child-friendly School.
Answer honestly, and complete the checklist before moving on to planning your next steps. Your school may already be well on its way.
Related reading
- Passing the Qualifying Examination for Principalship
- Additional Guidelines to DepEd Order No. 19, s. 2016
- DepEd Remedial and Advancement Classes
- DepEd Revised Manual of Regulations for Private Schools
- Updated DepEd Policy on Educational Field Trips
Frequently asked questions
What is a Child-friendly School?
It is a school that respects all of children’s rights, not only their right to education, and builds a learning environment where children grow healthy, gain lifelong skills, and become responsible members of society. It also teaches children the responsibilities that come with their rights.
What are the five traits of a Child-friendly School?
It is inclusive, gender-sensitive, and non-discriminating; effective with children; healthy for children; caring and protective of all children; and involves children’s families and the community.
What are the seven goals of a Child-friendly School?
Encourage children’s participation, enhance their health and well-being, guarantee safe spaces, encourage enrolment and completion, ensure high academic achievement, raise teachers’ morale, and mobilize community support for education.
Who is responsible for creating the learning environment?
Principals, teachers, parents and families, community institutions such as the barangay council, other community members, and the children themselves all work together to create it.
How does a school check its progress toward becoming child-friendly?
It uses a checklist of action items under each of the seven goals, ticks the items it has done or does regularly, and totals the ticks for each goal to track progress.
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