AFTER A stabbing incident that killed a student in Culiat High School in Quezon City, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged schools to ensure the effective implementation of child protection measures.

The senator expressed his condolences to the bereaved family of the 13 year-old student.

“Taos-puso akong nakikiramay sa pamilya ng sumakabilang-buhay na mag-aaral. Nakikiisa rin ako sa Culiat High School sa kanilang pagluluksa,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said.

Gatchalian also commended the Culiat High School, the Department of Education-National Capital Region and the Schools Division Office of Quezon City for the immediate steps they took that include the provision of assistance to the victim’s family, intervention for the child in conflict with the law, and the administering of stress debriefing sessions for those who witnessed the incident.

The senator said schools should ensure the effective implementation of the DepEd’s Child Protection Policy, as well as the protection of children-at-risk and children in conflict with the law.

Under DepEd Order No. 18 s. 2015, the Child Protection Committee shall also constitute as a Restorative Justice Panel when deemed appropriate, with the guidance counselor or guidance teacher as ex-officio member.

“Habang patuloy ang ating pagsisikap na iangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa, kailangan din nating tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral mula sa ano mang uri ng pang-aabuso o karahasan. Tungkulin nating itaguyod ang kanilang kapakanan,” Gatchalian stressed.