Culture & Entertainment · Philippines Bureau
DepEd launches peer support initiative to strengthen school safety
The Department of Education has rolled out the My Buddy System, a student-led peer facilitation network designed to foster safer and more supportive learning environments. The initiative, unveiled during National School Safety Week, complements existing counseling services and teacher engagement programs.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Department of Education is broadening its mental health framework by introducing the My Buddy System, a learner-centered peer support network aimed at creating safer school communities across the country.
Launched as part of observances marking National School Safety Week, the initiative empowers students to serve as peer facilitators, enabling them to provide frontline support to their classmates. The system operates in tandem with formal school counseling services and regular teacher check-ins, creating a multi-layered approach to student wellbeing.
The My Buddy System represents DepEd's commitment to integrating comprehensive psychosocial support mechanisms into Philippine schools. By mobilizing student leaders and peer advocates, the department aims to address mental health concerns more effectively while building a culture of mutual support among learners.
School administrators have been directed to establish and sustain the peer facilitation network as part of broader campus safety protocols. The initiative recognizes that students often confide in peers before seeking help from adults, positioning classmate networks as a critical early intervention resource.