THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, August 24, 2026, postponed the nationwide school safety drills scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, citing the suspension of face-to-face classes in various parts of the country due to inclement weather.
The drills will instead be conducted next week, the first week of September 2026, DepEd said.
In a statement, DepEd said the postponement was also an opportunity to consolidate expert opinions and evidence-based practices to strengthen the activity.
“We are also consolidating expert opinions and evidence-based practices to strengthen our activity,” the agency said.
On Sunday, the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PSA) and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry urged DepEd to defer the activity, saying it could expose students to “hyper-realistic” scenarios of violence and cause psychological harm across different age groups.
“Current evidence does not show that these simulations reduce casualties or prevent incidents, while multiple studies demonstrate that they can cause lasting psychological harm across age groups,” the PSA said.
“School safety is best strengthened through measures that protect without causing trauma. Locks, controlled entry points, and perimeter security should be prioritized. Protocols must be trauma-informed, with clear advance notice and the involvement of guidance counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and child psychiatrists,” it added.
The PSA said schools could instead adopt tabletop exercises, which are discussion-based.
It said teachers, staff and parents could sit together and discuss “what if” scenarios to build coordination and preparedness without frightening children.
“Participation should be inclusive, with accommodations for learners who have disabilities, sensory-processing needs, or prior trauma. Each school should conduct a needs assessment before developing and implementing drills, to ensure that the unique characteristics of its community are considered,” the PSA said.
Earlier, DepEd ordered schools to develop, review or update their School Contingency Plan for Active Attack Incidents and share the final and approved plan with their respective local government units, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and parent-teacher associations.
Among the measures included in the plan are double-locking mechanisms and other classroom security measures, information and education materials, family reunification areas, safe rooms and evacuation routes, and emergency communication procedures.
The education department reminded schools that the drills should prioritize the safety and psychological well-being of learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel. It said the activities should be age-appropriate and trauma-informed, with emphasis on preparedness, protective actions, coordinated response and post-incident recovery.
The order came following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed and several others were injured. Two minors were identified as alleged suspects in the incident.
On August 18, another school shooting occurred at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City. A Grade 9 student allegedly shot and killed a fellow student before taking his own life. Two other people were injured. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)