The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday postponed the nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, due to prevailing inclement weather and the cancellation of face-to-face classes in several areas.
In a statement issued on August 24, DepEd said the activity will be rescheduled for the first week of September 2026 and will be conducted in public and private elementary and secondary schools.
“In view of the prevailing inclement weather and the cancellation of face-to-face classes in several areas, the Department of Education (DepEd) is postponing the scheduled Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents on August 25, 2026,” the agency said.
DepEd said the postponement would give the department additional time to ensure that the activity is aligned with recommendations from experts in weather, disaster preparedness, child protection, and psychosocial support.
The rescheduled drill will remain age-appropriate and trauma-informed, focusing on basic protective actions, communication, coordination, accountability, and recovery.
Schools were also instructed to avoid hyper-realistic or graphic simulations that could cause unnecessary fear or distress among learners.
The DepEd ordered all regional directors were directed to coordinate with their respective offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other relevant agencies.
"Schools were likewise reminded to ensure the availability of Psychological First Aid and appropriate psychosocial support under their School Contingency Plans," said Deped.
Earlier Monday, Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced the postponement during a radio interview, following calls from psychiatric groups to defer the planned active attack drills.
On August 22, the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP) had jointly called for the postponement of the simulation activities.
The groups said preparedness was essential but warned that hyper-realistic simulations could cause lasting psychological harm to learners across age groups.
They instead recommended safer alternatives, including tabletop exercises and trauma-informed protocols, to strengthen coordination and preparedness without causing fear or distress among students.
"School safety is best strengthened through measures that protect without causing trauma. Locks, controlled entry points, and perimeter security should be prioritized. Protocols must be trauma-informed, with clear advance notice and the involvement of guidance counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and child," they added.
