San Jose National High School resumes face-to-face classes after fatal shooting

Two weeks after the fatal shooting inside its campus, face-to-face classes resumed Monday at San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Tacloban City, with the Department of Education (DepEd) expanding flexible learning options and reinforcing security and psychosocial support for affected learners.

The resumption of classes follows the June 22 shooting that left three students dead and several others injured.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department is prioritizing both learning continuity and the emotional recovery of students and school personnel.

“Fulfilling President Bongbong Marcos’s directive, our immediate priority is to wrap our learners and teachers in a blanket of security and psychosocial care, recognizing that true learning cannot genuinely resume where fear remains,” Angara said.

“By offering flexible learning pathways alongside a heavily fortified environment, we are giving our traumatized learners the grace, time, and space they need to heal without being left behind academically,” he added.

DepEd said students who remain emotionally distressed by the incident may continue their studies through flexible learning arrangements while they recover.

The reopening of San Jose National High School also forms part of the department’s nationwide School Safety Campaign, which includes school safety audits and measures to strengthen campus security.

According to DepEd, the school has installed additional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, walk-through metal detectors, perimeter fencing, and increased police visibility on campus.

The classroom where the shooting occurred has also been converted into an office and will no longer be used for classes. Cleanup and repainting activities have likewise been completed to help restore the learning environment.

Beyond physical security, DepEd said it has strengthened mental health and learner protection programs by providing sustained Psychological First Aid, counseling services, and confidential reporting mechanisms in partnership with local authorities and other organizations.

A special welcome-back program organized by the Tacloban City government was also held on the first day of classes to provide encouragement and support to learners and school personnel.

Angara earlier visited the victims and their families, affected teachers, and school staff, and met with local officials to coordinate the government’s response following the incident.

DepEd also urged the public to support the school’s recovery by showing compassion and refraining from spreading misinformation as the community continues to heal. — RSJ, GMA News