Education Secretary Sonny Angara ordered all concerned officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) nationwide to implement stricter preventive measures against school violence amid the recent shooting incident in Sta. Rosa town in Nueva Ecija.
“In view of recent incidents involving school-based violence, the DepEd reiterates its commitment to maintaining a safe and protective learning environment for all learners, teachers and school personnel. This memorandum is issued to ensure the heightened vigilance and preparedness of all schools in the face of emerging threats,” the memorandum said.
A 15-year-old female student was shot in the neck by her alleged boyfriend who also shot himself inside a classroom of Sta. Rosa Integrated School in Brgy. Rizal Thursday morning.
As a result, Angara ordered the strict enforcement of security protocols in schools, such as the inspection of belongings upon entry, increased visibility of security personnel and the regulation of access to school premises through controlled entry and exit points.
Angara said the prohibition of firearms and other banned articles within school premises should be fully enforced.
He also directed school officials to strengthen the policy implementation and reportorial mechanisms for incidents of child abuse, exploitation, discrimination, violence, threats, bullying, gang and gender-related violence and other similar cases.
The Education secretary added that there should be close coordination with local government units, barangay officials and the Philippine National Police to monitor external threats and to ensure the safety and security of learners and school personnel.
Angara reiterated the strict implementation of DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, where all learners and school personnel are prohibited from committing acts of violence, abuse and exploitation, as well as from introducing into the school premises or otherwise possessing prohibited articles such as deadly weapons, drugs, alcohol, toxic and noxious substances and pornographic materials.
He also underscored the shared duty of school communities to ensure that learning environments are safe, secure, inclusive, resilient and learner-centered.
“These principles align with DepEd’s broader goal of promoting a culture of peace, mutual respect and accountability within all schools. Thus, all regional offices, schools division offices and schools are directed to intensify the implementation and monitoring of safety measures and violence prevention strategies,” Angara said.
Shooter dead
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old student known only as Leo who shot his alleged girlfriend before shooting himself died at around 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8.
“It’s an unfortunate news that the male (student) has passed away,” Col. Heryl Bruno, Nueva Ecija police director, said over Radyo Pilipinas.
The victim, on the other hand, remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit of a hospital.
Bruno said the couple had been quarreling before the shooting incident.
“They were arguing. Based on information, they have a (romantic) relationship,” he said.
Police are investigating how the suspect acquired a .22 caliber handgun, which he used in shooting the victim.
Based on their investigation, Bruno said the suspect blended in with the crowd in entering the school, eluding security guards and teachers.
School officials are cooperating in the police investigation.
Psychosocial support
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Philippines condemned the school shooting incident in Nueva Ecija and urged psychosocial support as a prerequisite for safe schools.
ACT chairman Vladimer Quetua said that school safety requires deep and meaningful investments in psychosocial support systems, emotional education and a learning environment that is attentive to the complex mental health needs of students.
Quetua added that despite the recent release of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act, schools continue to suffer from glaring resource gaps that undermine its implementation.
“What our schools urgently need are guidance counselors, mental health professionals and an education system that teaches empathy, emotional regulation and respect for others,” he said.
Quetua added that despite the recent release of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Anti-Bullying Act, schools continue to suffer from glaring resource gaps that undermine its implementation.
He said the ratio of guidance counselors to students remains alarmingly high, with only one counselor available for every 14,000 learners.
According to Quetua, there is a critical shortage of school nurses, psychologists and learner support aides and professionals who are essential in addressing the mental health and psychosocial needs of students.
Many schools also lack private counseling spaces and support systems for teachers who are left to manage incidents of conflict and bullying without proper training or institutional backing.
“Teachers are already overworked with non-teaching tasks. Without sufficient support staff, the responsibility to handle violent or traumatic incidents is unfairly and dangerously dumped on them. No policy can succeed without real personnel, infrastructure and psychosocial programs in place,” Quetua said. – With an additional report from Emmanuel Tupas
