DEPED MANDATES NATIONWIDE SCHOOL SAFETY DRILL AGAINST ACTIVE ATTACKS ON AUGUST 25

The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered all public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide to participate in the Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at exactly 9:00 AM.

The initiative aims to equip students and school personnel with correct emergency protocols, evacuation procedures, and family reunification strategies during human-induced crisis situations. According to a DepEd memorandum signed on August 12, 2026, the directive was issued via the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS). The order follows recent fatal campus shootings in Tacloban City and Zamboanga City, highlighting the urgent need for heightened school security measures.

Under the guidelines, schools must base the simulations on their localized contingency plans. These include testing double-locking classroom mechanisms, executing emergency communication lines, and designating secure evacuation routes. DepEd also instructed schools to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to act as external evaluators. The agency emphasized that all conducted simulations must be trauma-informed and age-appropriate to prioritize the psychological well-being of the learners.

BREAKING: DepEd Cancels Nationwide School Safety Drill

The Department of Education (DepEd) has postponed the Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents scheduled for tomorrow, August 25, 2026. Official advisories state the decision follows widespread suspensions of face-to-face classes due to inclement weather. DepEd expects to reschedule the drill for next week, with further details to follow.

Courtesy: DepEd