The Department of Education (DepEd) is facing sharp criticism for its failure to address escalating school violence in the Philippines, despite having a more than P2 billion fund earmarked for hiring registered guidance counselors and school counselor associates. Three consecutive violent incidents in Tacloban City, Cavite City, and General Trias, Cavite in just one week have left students dead, injured, and traumatized, raising urgent questions about the safety of public schools.
Unused Funds and Missing Counselors
DepEd has allocated over P2 billion for guidance counselors, yet most public schools remain without access to licensed professionals. These counselors are meant to be the first line of defense against mental health crises, bullying, and violence. The lack of action, according to critics, is not just negligence but a betrayal of the department's mandate to protect students' mental and emotional well-being. The fund, derived from taxpayers' money, remains largely unused, leaving schools vulnerable.
Disproportionate Budget Priorities
The irony is stark: while DepEd has allocated P26 billion for its feeding program, there is no standardized national school security protocol. Critics argue that both nutrition and safety should be prioritized equally. Without a uniform security framework, schools operate under varying policies, often relying on local government units (LGUs) to provide security personnel who may not be properly trained. This reactive approach, they say, exposes students to unnecessary risks.
Three Incidents in One Week
The recent wave of violence includes three separate incidents in Tacloban City, Cavite City, and General Trias, Cavite. Students have died, been injured, and suffered trauma. The lack of a national standardized security protocol means that each school responds differently, leading to confusion and inadequate protection. According to observers, this inconsistency is like walking on a bridge without railings—every step is perilous.
Call for Accountability and Action
School violence is not an act of God but a result of neglect and lack of foresight, critics assert. They demand concrete action, not just press releases or expressions of alarm. The call is for DepEd officials to be held accountable and for those who cannot fulfill their duties to step down. The fight for safe schools is a fight for the nation's future, and stakeholders are urged to continue speaking out until real change is achieved.
