Culture & Entertainment · Philippines Bureau
Schools must prioritize student support systems beyond physical security
Education advocates are calling on Philippine schools to strengthen mental health and welfare programs following a recent shooting incident in Zamboanga. Experts argue that teachers, who spend significant time with students daily, need better systems to identify and support at-risk youth without stigmatization.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Philippine schools should expand their focus beyond physical security measures to build comprehensive student support systems, according to education advocates responding to recent violence in the country's schools.
Rossana Llenado, founder of AHEAD Education Group, emphasized that schools must equip teachers with the tools and training needed to recognize behavioral changes in students and provide appropriate intervention. Teachers occupy a unique position in students' lives, spending extended periods with them in the classroom and serving as trusted figures who can identify warning signs.
The calls for enhanced support systems come in the wake of a shooting incident in Zamboanga that has renewed focus on school safety measures. However, advocates argue that metal detectors and guards alone are insufficient to address underlying issues affecting student welfare and mental health.
Llenado stressed the importance of developing systems that allow schools to support vulnerable students without labeling or isolating them, which could worsen their condition. Effective programs should include counseling services, peer support networks, and training for educators to recognize and respond to concerning behavioral changes.
The push for student-centered support reflects a broader recognition that creating safer schools requires attention to students' emotional and psychological needs alongside physical security infrastructure.