The Department of Education (DepEd) has rescheduled the conduct of the Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents that was supposed to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

In a statement, DepEd said the reason is the bad weather condition that will affect a number of areas in the country, particularly Luzon—due to typhoon (Saudel) which could develop into a super typhoon before it enters the country’s territory on Monday, Aug 24.

The nationwide simultaneous school safety drills were scheduled as part of the security measures due to two fatal attacks involving students in Tacloban City in June and Zamboanga City last week.

DepEd said the drills will be held instead in the first week of September, and the rescheduling will give school authorities more time to prepare further.

“The additional time will allow the Department to ensure that the activity is fully aligned with the recommendations of weather, disaster preparedness, child protection, and psychosocial support experts, particularly in ensuring that preparedness measures safeguard both the physical and psychological well-being of learners,” the statement read.

Age appropriate drills

DepEd said 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,” it said.

All its regional directors, according to the DepEd, were directed to immediately coordinate with other agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for preparation of safety measures.

“Schools are likewise reminded to ensure the availability of Psychological First Aid and appropriate psychosocial support under their School Contingency Plans,” it said.

Mobilization

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr, earlier directed all PNP commanders to mobilize a sufficient number of personnel and necessary resources in support of the nationwide simultaneous school safety drills.

The school safety drills were initially tested in some schools after the PNP and the DepEd, in coordination with other stakeholders, crafted the protocol for teachers and learners’ safety.

Nartatez said the drills will help students, teachers, and other school personnel understand what to do when confronted with a security threat. Police units will also use the exercises to test and improve coordination with school authorities and local government officials.

He directed local police units to coordinate closely with school authorities and barangay officials before and during the exercises. The coordination will cover police response, communication and other procedures that may be needed during an actual emergency.

“These drills will intensify coordination mechanisms among the police, school authorities, and barangay officials especially whenever there are threat situations,” Nartatez said.