By Tracy Cabrera
MANILA — Following the fatal shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) Junior High School campus, the Department of Education (DepEd) is now focusing on further strengthening mental health and psychosocial support programs in schools across the country.
A day after reports reached his office regarding the shooting, DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara traveled to Zamboanga City to attend the security briefing and inspect the vicinity where two learners were killed in the August 18 incident.
The education chief met with AdZU president Fr. Guillrey Anthony Andal with local government officials and representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to discuss what had actually happened that led to the tragedy and also the school’s safety measures being implemented.
Angara stressed that protecting students goes beyond physical security as he cited that schools must also pay closer attention to the mental and psychosocial well-being of their students and even their teachers and non-teaching staff and employees.
He noted that Ateneo de Zamboanga had been preparing for an active-shooter drill at its Junior High School campus in September even before the tragic incident.
“Such exercises are only one component of a broader school safety strategy. That’s only for external security. Sabi nga natin hindi lang iyong bakod, hindi lang iyong security arrangements natin,” he enthused while emphasizing that schools must also address psychological and socio-emotional concerns.
He added that DepEd already has mental health interventions in place, but he likewise acknowledged that these programs need to be expanded and strengthened in the light of recent developments where violence has erupted in campuses.
“Mayroon naman tayong mga intervention na geared towards mental health, pero siyempre, going forward, mas pag-iigihan ho natin ang mga programang pang-mental health dahil nakikita natin na parang mas kailangan na ngayon,” he strongly pointed out.
ia/xf
