Secure health, safetyamong schools — group

Government must strengthen school security and expand mental health services following a series of violent incidents involving learners, saying recent tragedies have exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s education system, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Sunday said.

The call comes weeks after a shooting at a public high school in Tacloban City left three students dead and several others wounded, prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) to tighten campus security measures and roll out psychosocial interventions. More recently, a 13-year-old learner was fatally stabbed inside a school in Las Piñas City.

“We mourn the tragic loss of lives and condemn all forms of violence inside and around schools,” TDC said in a statement, citing rising incidents of bullying, stabbing attacks, shooting threats and bomb threats.

Review protocols

While DepEd has existing child protection and school safety policies, the group said recent incidents underscore the need for stronger implementation, enhanced emergency preparedness and closer coordination with law enforcement agencies.

TDC urged authorities to review and reinforce security protocols to better protect learners and school personnel from potential threats.

But the coalition stressed that school violence cannot be addressed through security measures alone.

“Violence is often rooted in deeper social and mental health concerns that require early intervention and sustained support,” it said.

The group called for the full implementation of Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which seeks to strengthen mental health programs in schools.