The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday postponed a nationwide drill designed to prepare schools for active attacks, citing bad weather and the need to ensure the exercise is safe and trauma-informed for students.

The drill, scheduled for Tuesday, will instead be held in the first week of September, with the specific date to be announced, the department said on Monday.

“Ipagpapaliban na po namin dahil makakapaghintay naman po yan kasi nakikinig kami sa eksperto at nirerespeto namin ang kanilang pananaw at definitely na-iincorporate namin ang kanilang comments po nila,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a radio interview.

The rescheduled exercise will remain age-appropriate and trauma-informed, focusing on basic protective actions, communication, coordination, accountability and recovery, the department said.

DepEd said schools should avoid hyper-realistic or graphic simulations that could cause unnecessary fear or distress among learners.

“The rescheduled activity shall remain age-appropriate and trauma-informed, focusing on basic protective actions, communication, coordination, accountability, and recovery. Schools shall avoid hyper-realistic or graphic simulations that may cause unnecessary fear or distress,” DepEd said in its advisory.

Schools were also reminded to ensure the availability of Psychological First Aid and appropriate psychosocial support under their contingency plans.

The postponement comes as several areas suspend face-to-face classes because of prevailing inclement weather.

The Philippine Psychiatric Association and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry had called for the drill to be postponed on Saturday, warning that poorly designed simulations could expose children to unnecessary psychological distress, local media reported.###