DepEd-7 puts learner welfare first as active shooter drill deferred

Local

THE Department of Education-Central Visayas (DepEd-7) is taking a cautious approach to preparations for active shooter incidents in schools, with the nationwide drill originally scheduled for Aug. 25 being deferred amid concerns about its potential impact on learners.

During the Hisgutan Ta! Media Forum on Thursday, Aug. 27, Atty. Leslie Joie Babatuan, Legal Officer IV of DepEd-7, said the decision followed questions raised by various groups and experts on whether simulating a shooting incident could be appropriate and safe for children.

She said the department’s existing safety protocols are being reviewed and adjusted to address emerging threats in schools.

Schools in Central Visayas have been directed to update their contingency plans to include human-induced threats, particularly active shooter situations.

"Our school contingency plans usually focus on disasters and calamities such as earthquakes, typhoons, but considering the situation now and we need to be responsive to the needs of the time, our schools are now required to include human-induced threats as part of the contingency planning," she said.

The updated plans are also being shared with local government units and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to improve coordination during emergencies.

Babatuan said preparedness exercises remain important because they can help teachers, school personnel, and learners become familiar with the appropriate response when faced with an actual threat.

Schools are encouraged to conduct drills twice a year to help develop what she called “muscle memory,” or the ability to respond immediately during an emergency.

However, she stressed that the exercises should not expose children to unnecessary fear or trauma.

The activities are expected to be age-appropriate and non-graphic. DepEd also discourages schools from using firearms, including black or replica guns, during simulations.

The contingency plans include procedures for different situations, such as when a threat is inside or outside a classroom. Schools are also expected to identify reunification areas where learners can safely meet their parents after an incident.

Psychological first aid and post-incident processing are likewise part of the preparations to ensure that learners receive support following safety activities or actual emergencies.

Meanwhile, DepEd-7 is also monitoring reports of threats involving schools.

Babatuan said most of the recent incidents reported to the department involved social media threats and phone-based hoaxes. Some were reportedly intercepted by police authorities, while cases involving minors are being investigated for possible violations of cybercrime laws.

She said DepEd is also strengthening preventive measures by addressing learners’ mental health and well-being.

Teachers and school heads are being trained to recognize possible warning signs, including repeated absences, frequent tardiness and declining academic performance.

These indicators can prompt schools to provide appropriate interventions.

DepEd-7 is also moving to hire school counselor associates. Where these positions remain unfilled, trained learner rights protection focal persons and school guidance focal persons can assist in addressing learner concerns.

On physical security, Babatuan revealed that only 36% of schools have basic security and safety facilities based on an audit conducted by the department.

The region is working to increase access to CCTV cameras, security personnel and nearby police assistance.

For schools in remote areas where resources are limited, DepEd is also coordinating with barangays and parent-teacher associations to augment security support.

Parents are being included in the preparedness effort through tabletop exercises, where they can discuss how they can assist during emergencies.

Babatuan said DepEd is also seeking a dedicated budget for school safety infrastructure, separate from schools’ regular operating funds.

Ultimately, she said the department wants schools to move beyond simply reacting to incidents and instead focus on preventing them while ensuring that children remain physically and emotionally protected.

“More than being reactive or responsive, we want to be preventive,” Babatuan said.(MyTVCebu)