School boards urged to tap SEF for campus security upgrades
Safer campus Teacher leads an interactive lesson with her pupils at an elementary school in Baseco even as a Cavite college professor stresses the urgent need for consistent policy implementation across the education sector amid rising cases of violence in schools.
Photograph by toto lozano for DAILY TRIBUNE
The Department of Education (DepEd) is urging local school boards nationwide to use the Special Education Fund (SEF) to strengthen campus security following the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
DepEd said local school boards may maximize the use of the SEF for security-related projects and programs in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara made the appeal on Thursday as the agency rolled out a series of measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in schools, including a nationwide safety audit, increased police visibility, and the acquisition of security equipment for public schools.
“Pinalalakas natin ang koordinasyon ng mga paaralan, lokal na pamahalaan, kapulisan, mga ahensya ng gobyerno, at mga katuwang na organisasyon upang maagapan ang mga panganib at matiyak na nananatiling ligtas ang ating mga paaralan,” he said.
The education chief also announced that funds have been allocated for public schools to purchase handheld metal detectors and repair perimeter fences as part of efforts to bolster campus security.
Angara earlier met with officials of the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to discuss security measures for schools nationwide.
“Sa utos ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, nakipagpulong tayo agad sa PNP, NBI, at CICC para matiyak na mas mabilis at mas malawak ang pagbabantay natin, hindi lang sa loob ng mga eskwelahan kundi pati sa digital space,” Angara said.
Aside from security upgrades, DepEd said it would continue providing support to the Tacloban school community.
The Schools Division Office of Tacloban City has been conducting Psychological First Aid sessions for affected learners and teachers from June 23 to 26, while school heads have undergone training on emergency preparedness, threat assessment, and crisis response.
DepEd said it is also strengthening programs that train teachers, guidance personnel, and parents to identify early warning signs of bullying, violence, and other risks affecting learners.
The department maintained that assistance to affected students and personnel would continue as recovery efforts progress and as preventive measures are implemented nationwide.