Safety and trauma concerns have prompted the Department of Education Region 7 (DepEd 7) to defer the planned nationwide active shooter drill as the agency reviews how such exercises could affect learners.
Atty. Leslie Joie Babatuan, legal officer IV of DepEd 7, said concerns were raised over whether simulating a shooting incident would be appropriate for children.
She said the department remains committed to preparing schools for human-induced threats but stressed that preparedness activities should not compromise learner welfare.
“Rest assured that it is very circumspect on the conduct of these activities because primarily our utmost concern is really the safety of our learners,” Babatuan said during the Hisgutan Ta! Media Forum on Thursday, Aug. 27.
The active shooter drill was originally scheduled nationwide on Aug. 25 as part of efforts to strengthen schools’ preparedness for violent threats.
The deferment came as DepEd reassessed the use of simulations involving violence, which Babatuan said require additional safeguards because of their potential psychological effects on children.
Despite the deferment, DepEd 7 is requiring schools to include active shooter and other human-induced threats in their contingency plans.
Schools are also expected to coordinate these plans with local government units and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to establish clear communication and response procedures during emergencies.
The plans may include protocols for different threat scenarios, designated evacuation and reunification areas, and direct communication channels with local police.
Babatuan said drills remain important because appropriate and repeated exercises can help learners and school personnel develop the “muscle memory” needed to respond quickly during emergencies.
However, she stressed that drills must be age-appropriate, non-graphic and designed to avoid unnecessary fear or trauma.
DepEd 7 also strongly discourages the use of firearms or firearm replicas, including black guns, during school simulations.
The region is likewise giving greater attention to psychological first aid and post-incident processing following safety exercises.
Beyond emergency preparedness, DepEd 7 is strengthening preventive measures by training teachers and school heads to recognize behavioral changes that may indicate a learner needs intervention.
Among the warning signs being monitored are frequent absences or tardiness and declining academic performance. School counselor associates and other trained personnel are also being tapped to provide psychosocial support.
On physical security, Babatuan said only about 36 percent of schools currently have basic security and safety facilities.
DepEd is therefore pushing for additional closed-circuit television cameras, security personnel and stronger coordination with nearby police stations.
The department has also asked Congress to establish a dedicated budget for school safety infrastructure.
Babatuan said DepEd’s approach is to focus on preventing violence rather than allowing schools to become accustomed to the threat.
“More than being reactive or responsive, we want to be preventive,” she said.
She also underscored the need for schools, families, local governments, police and other stakeholders to
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