Child-Friendly School and Its Connection to Campus Life Satisfaction of the Students: A New Perspective

Abstract

Introduction

The Child –Friendly Schools (CFS) concept is grounded in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and represents a holistic, system-wide to improving educational quality that places the child at the center of education reform. As a concept, it ought to provide opportunities for the fullest development of individual talents and personality (Afubwa, George, & Kadenyi, 2016). The primary objective of this academic research was to explore students’ understanding of the concept of a child-friendly school among the 4 ISO certified schools divisions of Pampanga during the School Year 2019 –2020.

Methods

The research utilized the sequential exploratory design mixed method of research. Two sets of research instruments were used in gathering the needed data and necessary information (The Interview Guide and the Survey Questionnaire) that were validated by three persons in authority. The participants of the study were the selected secondary students coming from the participating public secondary schools in Region III. They were asked to answer the specific questions in the interview guide and survey questionnaire. The narrative analysis was applied to the qualitative segment of the study, while appropriate statistical tools were utilized in the quantitative portion of the study. The researcher personally conducted the administration of the set of research instruments.

Results

Based on the data gathered, the following conclusions are withdrawn: the public secondary schools inthe four Division Offices of Pampanga highly implemented all the areas of child –friendly school initiatives of the DepEd; the students are highly satisfied with the campus life in their respective schools; there is a significant relationship between the student –participants’ description and assessment on child-friendly school and campus life satisfaction; and a strengthened child –friendly school program is developed on the outset of the study improving the said practice.

Discussions

The results indicated in general the high implementation of CFS in DepEd-Division Offices in Pampanga and the high satisfaction of the students on campus life. It can now be said that as the provision for CFS increases, the campus life satisfaction of the students goes along. Hence, the strengthened program is strongly recommended for application and further validation.