TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) in Tacloban City has lined up several measures on how the San Jose National High School will recover from the fatal shooting incident this week.

Nilo Eder, information officer of DepEd Tacloban Schools Division, said the insights of psychosocial experts will matter if the school community can already transition to conducting classes.

“We have to rely on our experts. If their advice is that the children are not ready, then we have to listen to their advice,” Eder told Rappler on Friday, June 26.

“Inasmuch as we would like to resume classes, the well-being of the children is very important here,” he said.

In their initial plans, San Jose National High School will conduct modular distance learning beginning July 1, after the city’s local fiesta.

The resumption of in-person classes is eyed on July 6.

Providing psychosocial support will still continue in the transition to modular distance learning.

By the first day of in-person classes, counselors will be available to assist students, and local artists will be invited to perform as part of activities aimed at helping students adjust to being back in school.

The Tacloban City government has also ordered a change in how classrooms look before students return to in-person classes.

“All of the classrooms will be repainted so that when the children arrive, they may not recall the very horrific incident that occurred in the school,” Eder said.

Two minors, aged 14 and 15, opened fire in the school on Monday, June 22, leaving three students dead and 20 others injured. 

The 15-year-old is facing murder complaints, while the 14-year-old will undergo an intervention program. 

“We are gradually, slowly recovering from that trauma,” Eder said.

Security enhancements

Eder said the city government, the Philippine National Police, barangay officials, and school authorities are working together to make campuses safer, starting with the San Jose National High School.

Following the shooting, the school will have stronger perimeter fences and receive additional security equipment.

CCTV cameras will be installed in key areas of the campus, while panic buttons will be connected directly to the nearest police station to allow school officials to seek immediate assistance during emergencies.

Eder said the same measures will gradually be introduced in other public schools in the city.

School heads have also been directed to use available funds to purchase metal detectors to help prevent firearms and bladed weapons from being brought to school grounds.

Students, parents, visitors, and even school personnel will have to undergo mandatory bag inspections before entering school premises.

Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo Romualdez has ordered the deployment of two police officers, one male and one female, to every school gate to assist security guards.

– Rappler.com

Quotes were translated to English for brevity.