DepEd welcomes parents helping secure schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday welcomed proposals for parents to help patrol schools as authorities step up security measures following a series of school shootings in recent months.

In a media interview, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said parental involvement in school security could also help address other concerns affecting students, including mental health and social media use.

“Welcome po sa amin yun. Dahil pinapakita yun na involved sila dito sa paaralan at pagka-nandito sila as security, magiging concerned din sila sa ibang bagay, yung mental health, yung paggamit ng social media, so wine-welcome natin yung tulong ng ating mga parents at yan talaga ang pakay ng Kaagapay program po natin,” he said.

(We welcome that because it shows that parents are involved in the school. When they participate in security efforts, they also become concerned about other matters, such as mental health and social media use. We welcome their help, as that is the purpose of our Kaagapay program.)

The Kaagapay program is a DepEd initiative aimed at encouraging greater parental involvement in their children's learning and development.

Angara made the statement after inspecting Lakan Dula High School in Tondo, Manila, as part of a school safety audit. He described the school as a model for safety, citing its security cameras, metal detectors and medical equipment.

The school also has a community drop box and a QR (quick response) code through which students and teachers can anonymously report their concerns.

The agency has since strengthened school safety and security protocols in response to the incidents of school-related violence.

In June, two students reportedly opened fire on their classmates at a high school in Tacloban, killing three people. Less than two months later, another school shooting in Zamboanga City left two students dead.

In September, a student shot two schoolmates before turning the gun on himself in South Cotabato.

The incidents shocked a country where school shootings have been extremely rare. The government has cited online groomers and nihilistic violent extremism as possible factors behind the attacks.

According to Angara, coordination with social media platform Meta was still ongoing following the incidents.

He also urged parents to take an active role in their children's lives at home.— MCG, GMA News

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