DepEd tightens school security amid campus violence

The Department of Education (DepEd) is implementing tighter security measures in public schools following a series of violent incidents, including a recent shooting in Nueva Ecija that left two dead.

DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations Jocelyn Andaya stressed the need for a collective effort to address the issue.

"We need to be proactive about this. It is actually a societal issue. The parents have to be involved," Andaya said.

The department has directed school officials to conduct mandatory bag inspections and consider the use of metal detectors to monitor items students bring into classrooms.

Andaya emphasized that parental involvement plays a vital role in resolving the problem, highlighting the importance of open communication at home.

“Pagdating sa bahay nila makausap nila [parents] ang kanilang mga anak. Mahalaga ang dinner table doon magtanungan anong nangyari sa paaralan,” she said.

The call for action follows a string of violent incidents reported on school grounds, including the fatal shooting at Sta. Rosa Integrated School in Nueva Ecija.

In coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), DepEd has requested the deployment of barangay tanods to assist in securing school premises.

The agency also plans to establish a Crisis Management Bureau as part of its long-term response to campus violence.