Face-to-face classes resumed Monday at San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Tacloban City under tighter security and expanded mental health support, with the Department of Education (DepEd) allowing traumatized students to continue learning through flexible modalities following the 22 June campus attack.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara visited the school on the first day of classes and said DepEd would prioritize the emotional recovery of students and teachers affected by the incident.

"By offering flexible learning pathways alongside a heavily fortified environment, we are giving our traumatized learners the grace, time, and space they need to heal without being left behind academically," Angara said.

DepEd said students who are not yet ready to return to regular classroom instruction may temporarily shift to flexible learning while receiving psychosocial support.

The reopening comes after the 22 June attack inside the school that left three students dead and 20 others injured, prompting the suspension of classes and the rollout of recovery measures.

As part of preparations for the reopening, DepEd installed additional closed-circuit television cameras, walk-through metal detectors and perimeter fencing, while police visibility around the campus was increased.

The classroom where the attack occurred has also been converted into an office and will no longer be used for instruction.

The department said psychological first aid, counseling services and confidential reporting mechanisms remain in place for learners and school personnel as recovery efforts continue.

Angara said restoring normal school operations should not come at the expense of students' well-being.

"Our immediate priority is to wrap our learners and teachers in a blanket of security and psychosocial care, recognizing that true learning cannot genuinely resume where fear remains," he said.

DepEd urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation about the incident and instead support the school's recovery as classes resume.