ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION
How did you like school?
What is a school?
What makes up a school?
Who provides the learning environment?
When can a school be called a ‘Child-friendly School’?
What exactly is a Child-friendly School and how can our school
become one?
What should a Child-friendly School aim to achieve?

II. SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOL

How should our school go about achieving the goals of the Child-
friendly school?
Accomplishing specific targets
How our school scored
So, is our school Child-friendly?

How did you like school?

Many of us look at school as a place for serious learning but rarely as a

place for one to enjoy learning activities and have a say in what one needs
and wants to learn.

When you were in school, were you ever consulted as to what you wanted to
learn and how you wanted to learn them? If you were lucky enough to have
been asked, were you able to freely suggest ways and activities by which
you could learn more effectively?

Rights and enjoyment are perhaps words often left out of any student
handbook or school circular. Now that you are a teacher, principal or
parent, are you the type who believes that being ‘soft’ on children will only
make them learn or study less? Or that giving them ‘choices’ and allowing
them to express themselves freely will only diminish discipline – discipline to
make them sit up and listen to their lessons?

Each of us probably has his or her own idea or approach to education and
how we can make children ‘learn’. Regardless of the differences in our
opinions, many of us would probably agree that SCHOOL IS FOR
CHILDREN. Perhaps, we could further firm up this agreement by coming
up with some common definitions...
What is a school?
Let us consult our dictionaries. Do you have one in your school? All
dictionaries would probably contain any or some of the following definitions:
1) an institution devoted primarily to imparting knowledge or developing
certain skills; 2) the building or buildings in which instruction is given; 3)
any sphere or means of instruction.
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

What makes up a school?

Since it is safe to agree that ‘school’ is for those needing or seeking
knowledge or instruction, it should be primarily composed of learners or
pupils.
Where there are pupils, there should also be teachers who care for
children, provide for their learning needs, and nurture their interests.
Then, there is the physical school – the school building and its facilities –
classrooms, gymnasium or activity area, grounds for young children to romp
and play, toilet facilities, drinking fountains, and the like.

Did we miss anything? Well, yes there’s still one more and probably the
most important one of all. It’s all people and things that we’ve mentioned
combined...and more. It is called the learning environment. The learning
environment is more than just the sum total of all these – people (pupils and
teachers) and things around them – parents, brothers, sisters, other
relatives, and other people and things in the community where the school is
located.

When all these INTERACT, and interact FAVORABLY with each other, a
lot of wonderful things can happen to the child’s learning. Remember that
learning does not only occur within the four walls of a classroom. Learning
continues when the pupil returns from school to his or her family, mingles
with the neighbors and playmates, runs an errand to the sari-sari store,
attends with his or her family a religious service at their place of worship,
and does tens of other things. A healthy learning environment not only
enhances the child’s academic achievement but also ensures his or her
physical, psychological, social, and emotional growth.

Who provides the ‘learning environment’?

School principals, teachers, parents and families, community institutions

such as your local barangay council, other community members and the
children themselves support each other in creating and enhancing the
‘learning environment’.

When can a school be called a ‘Child-friendly School’?

A Child-friendly School is more than just a place for formal learning.

Foremost, it is an institution that recognizes and respects the range of
rights of children, and not just their right to be educated. These rights
also include their rights to be healthy, to be given opportunities for play
and leisure, to be protected from harm and abuse, to express their views
freely, and to participate in decision-making according to their evolving
capacities.

While upholding children’s rights, a Child-friendly School also instills in

children the resposibilities that go with their rights. Among these are to
respect the rights of others, respect diversity, practice equality, and
resolve differences without resorting to violence.
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Just as important, a Child-friendly School takes the lead in shaping a

learning environment that enables children to learn as much as their
intellectual faculties could take. It is a kind of environment that allows
them to grow healthy, equips them with knowledge and skills that they can
use throughout life, and enables them to become responsible and productive
members of their community and society.

What exactly is a ‘Child-friendly School’ and how can our school become
one?

A ‘Child-friendly School’ has the following five traits:

1. A Child-friendly School is inclusive, gender-sensitive, and non-

discriminating.
It is said to be inclusive, gender-sensitive, and non-discriminating when
it...
- does not turn away any child from enrolling and attending classes for
whatever reason
- gives boys and girls equal learning opportunities
- treats all children equally, regardless of gender, social status, cultural
origin or religious belief.

2. A Child-friendly School is effective with children.

It is said to be effective with children when it...
is child-centered
- has the best interest of the child in mind in all its learning activities
- has a curriculum that addresses the child’s learning needs as well as
those of the community and society
- employs teaching methods that are suited to the child’s age, abilities,
and ways of learning
- encourages children to think and decide for themselves, ask questions,
and express their opinions

promotes quality learning

- makes sure that children master the basic skills of writing, reading,
speaking (and listening), mathematics, and the necessary skills that
they can use through life
- encourages children to learn by doing and by doing things with others
- makes sure that teachers are qualified to teach and continue to
become better teachers
- makes sure that teachers and other staff are physically fit,
adequately paid, and highly motivated.

encourages children to participate in school and community activities

- encourages children to work together to solve problems and achieve
what they aim to do
- encourages children to express their feelings through the arts – music,
drawing, drama, and other forms

3. A Child-friendly School is healthy for children.

 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

It is said to be healthy for children when it...

- promotes children’s health
- guarantees that school buildings, grounds, and facilities are safe,
clean, healthy, and with adequate water and sanitary facilities
- has written policies and regular practices that promote good health
- integrates health education and life skill development in its curriculum
- hosts regular health services for children, such as immunization

4. A Child-friendly School is caring and protective of all children

It is said to be caring and protective of all children when it...
- safeguards and provides security for children
- helps defend and protect children from harm and abuse
- encourages children to care for each other
- does not tolerate physical punishment on children
- has clear guidelines for conduct between students and does not allow
bullying

5. A Child-friendly School involves children’s families and the community

It is said to involve families and the community when it...

works closely with children’s families

- consults parents and invites their opinions regarding school policies and
activities
- holds regular dialogues with parents regarding their children’s learning
progress
- collaborates with parents to encourage their children to practice at
home what they are learning in school
- cares as much as parents that children get enough nutrition and are in
good health
- cares about the children’s safety not only within the school premises
but also on their way to and from school

engages the support and interaction of community institutions and other

indviduals
- enlists the support of community institutions and individuals for its
projects and activities for children
- acts on behalf of and upholds the interests of children in community
assemblies

WHAT SHOULD A CHILD-FRIENDLY SCHOOL AIM TO ACHIEVE?

A Child-friendy School should aspire for these seven (7) goals:

(1) Encourage children’s participation in school and community

(2) Enhance children’s health and well-being
(3) Guarantee safe and protective spaces for children
(4) Encourage enrolment and completion
(5) Ensure children’s high academic achievement and success
(6) Raise teacher’s morale and motivation
(7) Mobilize community support for education
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

How should our school go about achieving these goals?

The following checklist contains action items that will guide you through
what you need to have or need to do towards accomplishing the seven goals
of the Child-friendly School.

See how many of the action items listed under each goal you have
accomplished or are doing on a regular basis. Tick the box before each
action item if you have accomplished this. Add up and write your total in
the box after each goal. By checking what your school already has and
what it is doing regularly, you will be able to track your progress towards
becoming a Child-friendly School.

You may already be well along the way to becoming a Child-friendly School!
Remember though that you have to be honest with your answers!

Here’s one other advice... Please accomplish this checklist first before
moving on to the next section.
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

CHILD – FRIENDLY SCHOOL SURVEY

School: BECURAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
GOAL #1: Encourage children’s participation in school and
community

What your school should have or should be doing:

√ Your school has a working student government.

√ Your school involves students in meetings and planning

sessions that concern their well-being.

√ Your school involves students in the organizing, planning,

and execution of the disaster preparedness and response plan.

√ Your school encourages its students to get involved in

community work.

√ Your school has a mechanism or mechanisms – such as a

school publication, students’ bulletin board, or opinion box – for
pupils to express their opinions about school and community issues.

5 Total number of action items checked for this goal

GOAL # 2: Enhance children’s health and well-being

What your school should have or should be doing:

√ Your school maintains and regularly updates a health record

of each pupil.

√ Your school holds annual weighing and health examination of

your pupils.

√ Your school holds annual dental examination of your pupils.

√ Your school treats or refers pupils with health problems.

Your school treats pupils with decayed teeth.

√ Your school has a feeding program for malnourished children.

√ Your school serves or sells healthy and nutritious food in your

premises.

√ Your school practices proper waste disposal.

√ Your school has a steady supply of clean and safe drinking

water.
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Your school has separate toilet facilities for boys and girls
consisting of urinals and lavatories that are regularly maintained
and kept clean.

√ Your school has a functional clinic.

9 Total number of action items checked for this goal.

GOAL # 3: Guarantee safe and protective spaces for children

What your school should have or should be doing:

Your classrooms have proper ventilation and lighting and

enough space for 45-50 pupils.

√ Your classroom desks and other furniture are sized to the age
of the pupils. In the case of shared desks, each pupil has enough
space to do seatwork.

√ Your classrooms’ layout and furniture allow pupils to

interact and do group work.

√ Your classrooms have a bulletin board or a corner that

displays helpful learning materials such as posters, illustrations,
newspaper and magazine clippings, and your pupils’ own works.

√ Your classrooms, facilities, and premises are regularly

maintained and kept clean.

√ Your school has safe facilities in place to address hazard

threats (e.g. fire exits, fire extinguishers, appropriate electrial
wirings).

√ Your school has identified and prepared alternative learning

spaces in cases of emergencies.

√ Your school has adequate emergency/first aid kits that are

readily available.

Your school conducts regular evacuation drills for earthquake,

fire, flooding, or tsunami.

√ Your school has a library for reading and for study.

√ Your school has facilities and equipment for recreation and

sports.

√ Your school has sufficient lawn space and vegetation.

Your school has duly assigned personnel in charge of securing

its premises, its properties, and those of its pupils and teachers.

√ Your school coordinates with the barangay and local

authorities to ensure the safety and protection of your pupils.
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

√ Your school has a policy against discrimination with regard to

gender, cultural origin, social status, religious belief, and others.

Your school has a program for children with special needs.

√ Your teachers use non-threatening styles of discipline.

15 Total number of action items checked for this goal.

GOAL # 4: Encourage enrollment and competition

What your school should have or should be doing:

√ Your school has a master list of all school-age children in the
community, whether enrolled or not.
√ Your school regularly coordinates with the local barangay
council to identify school-age children who are out of school, for the
purpose of bringing them to school.
√ Your school conducts campaigns to encourage parents to
enroll their children.
√ Your school has a system to regularly check on the attendance
of its pupils and address problems concerning non-attendance.

4 Total number of action items checked for this goal.

GOAL # 5: Ensure children’s high academic achievement and success

What your school should have or should be doing:

√ Your school has a clear vision/mission statement that is

prominently displayed and adequately explained to all school
personnel.

√ The principal and teachers are familiar with child-centered

and child-friendly principles.

Your school provides each student a complete set of

textbooks.

√ Teachers regularly prepare their lesson plans.

√ Your school encourages and promotes cooperative and

“hands-on” learning (“learning by doing”).

√ The principal has data on the school’s past three years

performance in the division, regional or national tests for the
purpose of improving its current year performance.
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

√ Teachers regularly monitor and assess their pupils’ academic

performance, with the view of improving their performance.

The school provides students access to ADM, ALS, and/or

other learning materials for their use during emergencies.

6 Total number of action items checked for this goal.

GOAL # 6: Raise teachers’ morale and motivation

What your school should have or should be doing:

√ Teachers undergo continuing and advance professional

training at least once a year.

√ Teachers are regularly trained in new and effective teaching-

learning strategies.

Teachers have their own lounge and/or work area.

√ Teachers are given annual medical check-up.

√ The principal provides strong direction and leadership guided

by a written supervisory plan.

√ The principal regularly monitors teachers’ performance and

provides needed support.

√ Teachers support their co-teachers by sharing teaching

techniques and experiences.

Your school provides annual medical examination to your

teachers and other staff.

6 Total number of action items checked for this goal.

GOAL # 7: Mobilize community support for education

What your school should have or should be doing:

√ Your school has a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) that has

elected leaders, meets regularly, and has a written plan of action.

√ Your school coordinates with barangay institutions to

identify children who are physically or sexually abused or are made
to do hard physical labor, for the purpose of identifying their
special needs.

Your school coordinates with the barangay and local

institutions to enroll illiterate parents in literacy programs.
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Your school takes the lead in conducting literacy programs for

illiterate parents.

√ Your school enlists the support of community organizations

to help raise funds and resources for learning.

√ Your school invites parents to discuss with your teachers the

learning experiences and progress of their children.

√ Your school consults parents in the drafting of its policies,

and in the planning and implementation of school activities.

√ Your school has organized and capacitated the School Disaster

Risk Reduction and Management Committee (SDRRMC).

√ Your school has strong partnerships with external

stakeholders in order to address disaster risk reduction and the
CCA-related needs of the school (i.e. data and statistics, capacity
building, resources, etc).

7 Total number of action items checked for this goal.

Rating your school for action items done

Goal # 1: Encourage children’s participation in school and

community

The Goal has 5 action items. If you scored 3 points, give yourself a
blue heart; if you scored 4 points, give yourself a purple heart; if
you scored 5 points, give yourself a red heart. If you scored lower
than 3 points, don’t color the heart. But take heart (pardon the
expression), there are still six goals to assess and you might just do
better with the next ones.

Goal # 2: Enhance children’s health and well-being

This Goal has 11 action items. If you scored 7 points, give yourself a
blue heart; if you scored 8-9 points, give yourself a purple heart; if
you scored 10-11 points, give yourself a red heart. If you scored
lower than 7 points, don’t color the heart, if your score is lower
than desired, try again with the other goals. You have five more to
go!
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Goal # 3: Guarantee safe, protective spaces for children

This Goal has 17 action items. If you scored 10-11 points, give
yourself a blue heart; if you scored 12-14 points, give yourself a
purple heart; if you scored 15-17 points, give yourself a red heart. If
you scored lower than 10 points, don’t color the heart. Did you do
better this time?

Goal # 4: Encourage enrollment and completion

This Goal has 4 action items. If you scored 2 points, give yourself a
blue heart; if you scored 3 points, give yourself a purple heart; if
you scored 4 points, give yourself a red heart. If you scored lower
than 2 points, don’t color the heart. We’re midway through the test.
Let’s see how you score with the rest!

Goal # 5: Ensure children’s high academic achievement and success

This Goal has 8 action items. If you scored 6 points, give yourself a
blue heart; if you scored 7 points, give yourself a purple heart; if
you scored 8 points, give yourself a red heart. If you scored lower
than 6 points, don’t color the heart. Hope you’re racking up those
points!

Goal # 6: Raise teachers’ morale and motivation

This Goal has 8 action items. If you scored 4-5 points, give yourself a
blue heart; if you scored 6-7 points, give yourself a purple heart; if
you scored 8 points, give yourself a red heart. If you scored lower
than 4 points, don’t color the heart. Do you think you’ll be a Child-
friendly School by the end of this test?
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Goal # 7: Mobilize community support for education

This Goal has 9 action items. If you scored 7 points, give yourself a
blue heart; if you scored 8 points, give yourself a purple heart; if
you scored 9 points, give yourself a red heart. If you scored lower
than 7 points, don’t color the heart. That’s it! Hope you did well!

Accomplishing Specific Targets

The preceding sections outlined the actions that we need to take

towards establishing a Child-friendly School. However, this is just
the first step. We must also ensure that our actions are effective
enough to help us realize desired outcomes for children in the
context of the Child-friendly School System.

We may also call these desired outcomes ‘targets.’ The following are
the targets set for itself by the Department of Education (DepEd).
The ideal, of course, is to aim for universal coverage or 100%
attainment of these targets.

 All school-age children in your community are served by the

school (ages 5-11 in ES, 12-15 in JHS, 16-17 in SHS).
 All children in your school who enrolled in Kinder six years
ago finish Grade 6/ enrolled in Grade 7 three years ago finish
Grade 10/ enrolled in Grade 11 finish Grade 12.
 All your Grade 6 pupils/Grade 10/Grade 12 students pass the
division, regional, or national tests or assessments.

In addition are targets relating to the promotion of proper health

and nutrition among schoolchildren and school personnel. This
follows the principle that a healthy and well-nourished child is
more ready for learning than a sickly one.

The additional targets are as follows:

 All schoolchildren are well nourished.

 All schoolchildren are healthy.
 All schoolchildren have good dental health.

How much of these targets has your school accomplished?

The following are the standards by which you are asked to rate
your school:
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Enrollment and academic achievement targets for school year (SY)

2016 - 2017:

1. All school-age children in your community are served by the

school (ages 5-11 in ES, 12-15 in JHS, 16-17 in SHS).

(Please check)

Less than 95% Poor 0 point

95-96% Fair 1 point

97-98% Good 2 points

√ 99-100% Outstanding 3 points

Your Score: 3 point/s

2. All children in your school who enrolled in Kinder six years ago
finish Grade 6/ enrolled in Grade 7 three years ago finish Grade
10/ enrolled in Grade 11 finish Grade 12.

(Please check)

Less than 77% Poor 0 point

77-79% Fair 1 point

80-90% Good 2 points

√ 91-100% Outstanding 3 points

Your Score: 3 point/s

3. All your Grade 6 pupils/Grade 10/Grade 12 students pass the

division, regional, or national tests or assessments.

(Please check)

Less than 50% Poor 0 point

50-74% Fair 1 point

75-90% Good 2 points

√
91-100% Outstanding 3 points

Your Score: 3 point/s

 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Health and nutrition targets:

4. All your pupils/students are well nourished.

(Please check)

Less than 70% Poor 0 point

70-80% Fair 1 point

√ 81-90% Good 2 points

91-100% Outstanding 3 points

Your Score: 2 point/s

5. All your pupils/students are healthy.

(Please check)

Less than 75% Poor 0 point

75-80% Fair 1 point

√
81-90% Good 2 points

91-100% Outstanding 3 points

Your Score: 2 point/s

6. All your pupils/students have good dental health.

(Please check)

Less than 75% Poor 0 point

75-80% Fair 1 point

√ 81-90% Good 2 points

91-100% Outstanding 3 points

Your Score: 2 point/s

 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

How our school scored

On these pages, you will tally your scores in the two assessment
categories.

To rate yourself for Action Items done (pages __), assign the
following points to your colored hearts:

Blue heart- one (1) point

Purple heart- two (2) points
Red heart - three (3) points
Uncolored heart- no (0) point

Now add up those points.

Action Items / Goals Colored Points

Hearts
1. Encourage children’s
participation in school and RED 3
community
2. Enhance children’s health and
well-being PURPLE 2
3. Guarantee safe and protective
spaces for children PURPLE 2
4. Encourage enrollment and
completion RED 3
5. Ensure children’s high
academic achievement and BLUE 1
success
6. Raise teacher’s morale and
motivation PURPLE 2
7. Mobilize community support
for education BLUE 1
SCORE 14
Enter and add up your scores for Accomplishing Specific Targets (pages
__) here.

Progress toward specific targets Points

1. All school-age children in your
community are served by the school 3
(ages 5-11 in ES, 12-15 in JHS, 16-17
in SHS).
2. All children in your school who
enrolled in Kinder six years ago
finish Grade 6/ enrolled in Grade 7 3
three years ago finish Grade 10/
enrolled in Grade 11 finish Grade 12.
3. All your Grade 6 pupils/Grade
10/Grade 12 students pass the 3
division, regional, or national tests
or assessments.
4. All your pupils are well nourished. 2
5. All your pupils are healthy. 2
6. All your pupils have good dental 2
health.
SCORE 15
 ANNEX 2A Child-Friendly School Survey

Now, tally your scores in the two categories.

Action Items / Goals 14

Progress toward Targets 15

TOTAL SCORE 29

So, is your school Child-friendly?

If you got a total of at least 25 points but lower than 30 points,

you are a CHILD-FRIENDLY SCHOOL!
If you got at least 30 points but lower that 35 points, you are an
OUTSTANDING CHILD-FRIENDLY SCHOOL!!
If you got 35 points or higher, you are indeed a VERY
OUTSTANDING CHILD-FRIENDLY SCHOOL!!!
To all of you who made it, CONGRATULATIONS!!! To those who
didn’t, you can try to do better next school year.
Now make sure that you do this every school year to see if you
are keeping with or improving your performance.
Thank you for answering this little test. Until next time when
we include other action items and targets in our list! Becoming a
Child-friendly School is easy, don’t you agree?

BECURAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

is a

CHILD-FRIENDLY SCHOOL!!!