Almost 200 parents and teachers of Bayanan Elementary School Main (BESM) attended a half-day training workshop on Positive Discipline on October 19, 2013, held at BESM in Muntinlupa City.
Resource speakers Mr. Dennis I. Velasco and Ms. Maria Cristina C. Reodique discussed Positive Discipline as an alternative approach based on children’s rights to healthy development, protection from violence, and participation in their own learning. They emphasized 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.
Parents presenting their signed "kasunduan" (covenant) to BESM Principal Mr. Antonio Gagala.
The session highlighted that corporal punishment tends to escalate, inflicts psychological damage, and violates children's rights. In contrast, positive discipline teaches non-violence, empathy, self-respect, and respect for others. "Positive discipline can and should be practiced both by parents and teachers," the speakers emphasized.
At the end of the workshop, parents entered into a "kasunduan" (covenant), promising to be better parents to their children. This training is a key component of the PTC-CSJ Foundation’s Growing Good to Great Kids or 3G Program, currently in its third year at BESM in partnership with Synergeia Foundation.