The Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct a nationwide simultaneous school safety drill Thursday, Sept. 3, focusing on its “run, hide, fight” protocol instead of staging an active shooter reenactment.

According to a report by RH Edniel Parrosa, DepEd said it decided against an active shooter simulation because it could affect the psychological well-being of learners and teachers.

The drill will train students and school personnel on how to respond in case of violence in schools, including when to run, hide or, as a last resort, attempt to create a distraction.

DepEd stressed that the “fight” component does not necessarily mean physically confronting the aggressor. Rather, participants will be taught to attempt to create a distraction when running or hiding are no longer possible.

Mandaluyong City Science High School will serve as the ceremonial venue for the drill in Metro Manila, while senior DepEd officials will attend the activity in San Rafael, Bulacan.

The nationwide drill was originally scheduled for Aug. 25 but was postponed after the appeal of the Philippine Psychiatric Association and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.