Education Secretary Sonny Angara reaffirmed the crucial role of teachers as compassionate mentors safeguarding the overall well-being of learners, following a recent shooting incident at a school in Zamboanga City.
Aligning with directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to keep schools safe sanctuaries for learning, Angara urged school administrations nationwide to strengthen support systems that help teachers foster protective classroom environments.
“Checking in on our learners is an inherent strength of our educators, especially our class advisers who interact with them every day,” said Angara, who visited Zamboanga City on Wednesday to lead emergency intervention efforts with the school community and local authorities, and personally extend condolences to grieving families.
“Following President Bongbong Marcos’ mandate, we must ensure that our teachers truly know their learners, that they do not just teach, but also actively check on their learners’ well–being. In the wake of this tragic event, we are reminded that building safe schools goes beyond physical security measures and emergency protocols,” Angara added.
At the same time, Angara highlighted the essential role of parents in learner welfare, urging schools nationwide to fully maximize Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) as vital partners in preventing school-related violence.
The Department of Education (DepEd) emphasized that direct teacher-learner engagement serves as a primary line of support in identifying early warning signs.
To support this, Angara reiterated DepEd’s commitment to prioritize learner mental health and expand nationwide intervention programs.
Angara clarified that monitoring behavioral changes does not require teachers to act as mental health professionals or disciplinarians. Instead, it means fostering a compassionate environment where educators can recognize red flags and promptly connect learners with professional support systems.
To protect educators’ well-being while strengthening learner protection, DepEd is accelerating the deployment of School Counselor Associates (SCA) to manage specialized interventions while relieving teachers of non-teaching administrative burdens.
Additionally, DepEd is reinforcing its referral and crisis response mechanisms. Through the Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (#33733 / 0945 175 9777), learners and school personnel can directly connect with National Center for Mental Health experts for immediate crisis response and reporting of protection concerns.
School communities are also broadening early intervention networks by strengthening partnerships with PTAs, local government units, and police authorities to ensure learner safety remains a shared responsibility.
By engaging PTAs as co-defenders of school safety, DepEd aims to foster open communication between homes and schools to identify red flags early and stop incidents before they happen.
“We are taking concrete steps so that our schools are backed by guidance support personnel, clear referral systems, and community partnerships, ensuring our teachers and learners have someone to turn to in times of need,” Angara added.
