The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday that it will roll out active shooter drills across public schools to prepare students and teachers for armed attacks, following an increase in reports of school threats nationwide. Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said, “We are adjusting because this is the first shooting where students were the shooters,” as reported by BusinessWorld.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over school safety, with authorities recording multiple threats and incidents involving students in recent months. DepEd officials stated that the drills will be integrated into existing disaster preparedness programs and will focus on lockdown procedures, evacuation, and communication protocols during an active shooter scenario.
The agency has yet to release a specific timeline for the rollout but said it will coordinate with local government units, law enforcement, and school administrators to ensure the drills are age-appropriate and trauma-informed. Critics have raised concerns about potential psychological effects on students, but DepEd maintains that preparedness is necessary given the rising threat landscape.