Almost 200 parents and teachers of Bayanan Elementary School Main (BESM) attended a half-day training workshop on positive discipline on Oct. 19, 2013 held at BESM in Muntinlupa City.

The resource persons, Mr. Dennis I. Velasco and Ms. Maria Cristina C. Reodique, talked about Positive Discipline as an alternative approach based on children’s rights to health development, protection from violence, and participation in their own learning.

The speakers shared that positive discipline is neither permissive parenting nor about punishment. Rather it is about long-term solutions that develop children’s own self-discipline and life-long skills. Positive discipline is about teaching non-violence, empathy, self respect, human rights, and respect for others.

In contrast, corporal punishment tends to escalate punishment on children, inflicts psychological damage, violates children’s rights, and encourages the use of violence.

“Positive discipline can and should be practiced both by parents and teachers”, the speakers emphasized.

At the end of the session, the parents entered into a covenant or a “kasunduan” wherein they promised to be better parents to their children. They presented their covenant to BESM Principal Mr. Antonio Gagala.

The parents’ training is part of the PTC-CSJ Foundation’s Growing Good to Great Kids or 3G Program, now on its third year of implementation at BESM, in partnership with Synergeia Foundation.