Can Children in Pakistan be protected?
July 6, 2021
Proposed Anti-beggary Bill
July 18, 2021

There is no new law or funding needed for every school and seminary in Pakistan to adopt a Child Protection Policy.

 

Naeem Sadiq                                                      Dr. Kishwar Enam

naeemsadiq@gmail.com                                    kishwar.enam@aku.edu

 

 

 

 School Child Protection and Safety Policy

 

                            Name of School  —————————–

 

School Child Protection and Safety Policy is a document, which provides  clear directions to the teachers, students, support staff, parents and other stakeholders on expected codes of behavior in ensuring preventive, responsive and support measures, that are in place for dealing with child protection and safety issues in school.

Our School  commits to zero tolerance for any form of child abuse and  to provide all possible protection, safety, support and dignity to every child. Child protection concerns include suspected, alleged, self-disclosed, or observed harm or abuse of a child by anyone associated within or outside the school which must be investigated and followed by appropriate action.

Our school recognises :

  1. That every child has the right to be protected from neglect physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
  2. That protection and welfare of children is of paramount importance, regardless of all other considerations.
  3. That there is a need to adopt safe practices to minimise the possibility of abuse, harm or accidents happening to children or any other individuals at school.
  4. That the child abuse and neglect hinders the effective learning process and a child’s potential cannot be achieved when going through trauma.
  5. That there is a need to respect confidentiality in dealing with child protection matters.

 

Our School Child Protection Committee (SCPC) consists of:

 

……………………………….        Head of Committee

……………………………….        Member

……………………………….        Member

……………………………….        Member (a student may also be incorporated as a member)

 

Phone number at which any student, teacher, staff or parent  can report abuse is:  …………………………..

Instructions for students:

If you think that any one is trying to or has already harmed or abused you,  by physical punishments or bodily touch, it is necessary that you must immediately take the following two actions.

  1. Inform any member of the School Child Protection Committee (SCPC).
  2. Call phone ( ………………………… ), give your name and the name of the person who is trying to or has harmed you.
  3. Your information will be respected, kept confidential and followed by suitable actions to protect you against any form of harm.

 

Instructions for school teachers,  support staff and parents:

Parents, School teachers and support staff,  because they have the opportunity to observe and interact with students over time, are in unique positions to identify those who need help and protection.   School teachers and staff have a professional and ethical obligation to identify children who are in need of help and protection and to take steps to ensure that the required help is provided.

 

All teachers and support staff employed at our school must report suspected incidences of child abuse whenever they have reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering harm or abuse.

 

Where a child confides to his/her parents about harm or abuse having taken place at school, the parent must inform the school so that child and family avail themselves of the support and remedial measure necessary to prevent  child abuse or exploitation.

 

If a parent, teacher or staff  knows or suspects that a child:

(a)  has been harmed or abused, or

(b)  is at risk of being harmed or abused,

 

It shall be mandatory for her/ him  to report the matter, as soon as possible,  by immediately taking the following two actions.

  1. Inform any member of the School Child Protection Committee (SCPC).
  2. Call phone ( ………………………… ), give your name and describe the incident.
  3. Your information will be respected, kept confidential and followed by suitable actions to protect you and the child against any form of harm.

 

Functions of School Child Protection Committee (SCPC) :

  1. To receive, record and investigate all complaints.
  2. To protect the affected child and provide every possible emotional, psychological, physical and medical support that is in best interest of the child.
  3. To maintain names, phone numbers and contacts of potential sources of help, such as local Child Protection Officer, counselling services, hospital and police. Develop an on-going liaison and understanding for working with these groups in situations of emergency help.
  4. To coordinate with Child Protection Officer, counselling services, hospital and police when ever a situation arises that requires their services.
  5. To train and sensitise the teachers and staff (and where possible parents) on issues relating to child protection including observation and recognition of possible signs of abuse.
  6. To provide frequent awareness sessions for children to give appropriate awareness on matters relating to child rights, child abuse and reporting of abuse – as outlined in this policy.
  7. SCPC will handle all cases of child abuse with tact, respect and sensitivity. It will take measures to create  abuse-free environment of trust and support for children, while simultaneously creating checks and balances for the prevention of child-abuse.
  8. To ensure that the contents of School Child Protection Policy are read and signed by all teachers and staff, at least once every year.
  9. Ability to relate to children and gain their trust is a recommended guideline for selection of SCPC members.

 

Procedure for SCPC after a case of abuse has been reported.

 

Step 1.  An abuse may be reported by a child, a teacher, a support staff or a parent to any member of the SCPC.  An abuse may also be reported by any of the above on a phone number specified by the school.

Step 2. The SCPC  Committee will meet immediately and will take initial steps to protect the child from any further harm.

Step 3. The child will be provided immediate medical and emotional support, as required.

Step 4.   SCPC will immediately begin to gather information regarding the reported incident and in cases of serious physical or sexual abuse, will also immediately inform the Head of School.

Step 5.  The parents of the child will be informed and kept in picture and in confidence.

Step 6. In case of bodily harm or sexual abuse, the Head Master will inform Police as well as the Local Child Protection Officer.

Step 7. The Head of SCPC will record all facts and information of incident reported to them or investigated by them. Strict confidentiality of information and documents is maintained.

Step 8. SCPC will determine the course of follow-up actions to assist the child and the family.  This may include actins inside the school or reporting to outside agencies such as hospital, professional counselling, Child Protection Officer or Police.

Step 9.  All documentation of the investigation will be kept in the child’s school confidential record file.  In the event that the abuse or neglect allegation involves a staff or faculty member of School,  the Head of School will follow the School Policy pursuant to ethical professional behavior.

 

The School Child Protection and Safety Policy  shall be  regularly communicated to students, teachers and staff at school, and where possible to parents during the Parent-Teacher meetings.

  

Signed:  ……………………………………………… School Head,

 

Name of  School:…………………………………..

Date: ………………………………………………….