Touting it as one of the solutions to combat the broader issue of violence in schools.
“It is not enough for our students to simply practice drills for their physical safety; we must also ensure their mental and emotional health, and ensure that they can approach helplines and guides in every school without fear.”
That is what Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized after he led the National Safe Schools Summit held at Manila Science High School on Wednesday, July 15.
During which, the first-ever active shooting drill was conducted by the Department as part of a broader and proactive safety framework that they are implementing nationwide.
Aside from drolls, it also includes a nationwide school safety audit, increased police patrols, and the allocation of funds for CCTV systems, metal detectors, and the repair of fences around schools.
However, Angara underscored that the DepEd is aware that these are not the only solutions to the broader problem of violence in schools.
Thus, they are also prioritizing the expansion of mental health programs and reporting systems for student safety.
The Education chief emphasized that ensuring the physical security of students is only half the battle, with DepEd actively strengthening its protective reporting mechanisms for students in distress.
Foremost is the expansion of DepEd’s National Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (LTCCH) to all regions to allow students to report incidents without fear.
It is also being operated in partnership with the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), giving the youth a better access to crucial psychological support services.
Meanwhile, the Civil Service Commission also recently approved the the qualification standards, with the government already expediting the hiring of about 10,000 School Counselor Associates (SCAs) to offer guidance on the emotional and mental health of students in each school.
In line with the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE) (DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2026), campuses are also set to implement localized anti-bullying measures and basic security protocols such as regular bag inspections.
Students are also taught to identify early warning signs of abuse both online and offline through social-emotional learning (SEL).
This is integrated into the curriculum and classroom discussions centered on identifying red flags of abuse, student rights, anti-bullying programs, reporting and referral mechanisms, and promoting help-seeking behavior.
