The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Monday urged the government to seriously invest in securing schools by deploying adequate security personnel, providing proper equipment, and enforcing strong policies to ensure safe learning environments.

The call followed a shooting incident at Balabagan Trade School in Lanao del Sur on 4 August, where a 34-year-old teacher was killed by a student.

Investigations revealed that the victim was walking toward the school gate when the suspect shot him at close range with a caliber .45 pistol. The teacher died on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head.

The suspect, a Grade 11 student, admitted to the crime, saying he was frustrated for not being able to enroll due to failing grades given by the victim teacher.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family, colleagues, and students of the slain teacher in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. In a situation where even teachers become targets of violence, it follows that schools may be even less safe for our little children,” said Benjo Basas, TDC national chairperson.

Basas emphasized the need for a whole-of-society approach, calling on all stakeholders to work together to address the growing culture of violence in communities.

“This latest incident in Lanao del Sur, occurring in the same week as the shooting in a Nueva Ecija school, is deeply alarming,” he added.

“We call for a thorough investigation of these incidents and hope they will not have a chilling effect on our teachers and learners, but instead serve as a wake-up call for urgent, coordinated action to protect our education spaces,” Basas said.

On 7 August, a 15-year-old female student was killed by her ex-boyfriend, who shot her inside a classroom at Santa Rosa Integrated School in Nueva Ecija.

In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) reiterated its call for heightened vigilance and stricter preventive measures against school violence and threats to learner safety.

The DepEd central office directed all field offices to intensify safety measures and violence prevention strategies. These include banning deadly weapons and other prohibited items, strengthening anti-bullying and anti-violence reporting mechanisms, and providing mental health and learner support services.

DepEd also urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure schools remain safe, secure, and nurturing spaces for every learner.

The department has called on its partners in the community to strengthen school security protocols and uphold the shared duty to make every school a zone of peace.