Functionality Levels of Child Protection Committee in Schools of Tandag City Division

Child protection in schools relies on the effective operation of Child Protection Committees (CPCs), which depend on structure, resources, implementation, and policy alignment (Save the Children, 2018). This study investigated the functionality of CPCs in schools across Tandag City Division during the 2024-2025 academic year to address the problem of whether CPCs are adequately organized, resourced, and performing their mandated roles. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the level of functionality of CPCs based on five key indicators: Organization and Coordination, Policies and Guidelines, Capacities and Resources, Service Delivery, and Accountability and Performance. It also sought to identify the significant gaps in CPC operations and recommend interventions for improvement. A total of 31 schools were assessed using a comprehensive functionality assessment survey and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also conducted with selected CPC members to explore evidence-based decision-making in the design and implementation of child protection programs. The results revealed significant variability in the functionality of CPCs with schools like Carmen Integrated School and Rosario Integrated School scoring highly indicating a well-established structures and effective child protection programs. In contrast, schools such as Awasian Elementary School and Buenavista Elementary School exhibited significant gaps in organizational coordination, resources, and service delivery, which hindered their effectiveness. The overall score of 2.26 categorized CPCs as Moderately Functional suggesting that while some schools performed effectively, there was substantial room for improvement across several indicators. The findings highlighted the need for targeted interventions to address gaps in policy implementation, resource allocation, and service delivery. The study recommended implementing structured training programs, updating policies, enhancing resource mobilization, and improving stakeholder engagement to strengthen CPC functionality and contribute to more effective child protection systems in schools that ensure a safer and more supportive environment for children in Tandag City.