DEPED, TEACHERS’ GROUP CONDEMN SHOOTING INSIDE SCHOOL IN NUEVA ECIJA

BY KEVIN GALANG

THE Department of Education (DepEd) and the Teachers Dignity Coalition ( TDC) on Friday condemned the shooting incident inside a school in Nueva Ecija that left a learner dead.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting incident in Nueva Ecija. This incident is particularly heartbreaking as it occurred at a time when the Department of Education has strengthened its policies against bullying and violence, and the entire education system is exerting all efforts to ensure the safety of children in schools,” TDC spokesperson Jim Lester Beleno said.

The group issued the reaction after a 15-year-old female student  of Santa Rosa Cental School in Bgy. Rizal, Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija was shot inside her classroom by her alleged former boyfriend from other school on Thursday morning.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., the Nueva Ecija police identified the suspect as alias “Leo,” a resident of Bgy. Santo Rosario.

Initial probe showed the suspect entered the school and went straight ahead to the victim’s classroom.

The suspect told the girl to come out but the latter refused until alias “Leo” entered the classroom and without provocation pulled out a cal. .22 gun and shot the victim before turning the gun on himself.

Both were rushed to the nearest hospital for immediate medical treatment. 

A latest report showed the suspect passed away while being treated while the girl remains in serious condition at the hospital.

The PRO3 is now coordinating with the school’s administration to aid in the investigation and to ensure the safety and well-being of other students.

“This alarming incident reminds us of the importance of safeguarding our schools and taking a serious look at the emotional and psychological well-being of our youth. We are working hand-in-hand with the school and the parents of involved students to get to the bottom of this and to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Peñones said.

The TDC urged the DepEd to formulate immediate and concrete measures to strengthen school safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

According to the TDC, just this week, DepEd NCR rolled out its stakeholder consultations on the regional policy for safe schools—a testament to their collective commitment to protect the learners. 

“We call on all sectors of society to work together in addressing violence, both inside and outside school grounds, so that every child may learn in an environment free from fear and harm,” Beleno said.

The group also urged  the government to invest more in school safety by deploying adequate security personnel, procuring necessary equipment, and hiring more mental health professionals as well as guidance and counseling practitioners to strengthen psychosocial support services for  learners.

The DepEd, in an official statement, expressed its solidarity with the learners, teachers, and families affected by the tragedy, calling the act “appalling” and “unacceptable.”

“Our schools must be sanctuaries of safety and learning. Any form of violence, especially within or near school grounds, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the Education Department said.

Nueva Ecija top cop Col. Heryl “Daguit” Bruno also denounced last Wednesday’s shooting incident inside the Santa Rosa school.

 “This alarming incident reminds us of the importance of safeguarding our schools and taking a serious look at the emotional and psychological well-being of our youth,” said Bruno.

The official said they are working hand-in-hand with the school and the parents of the involved students to get to the bottom of the incident.

The Nueva Ecija top cop also directed his men across the province to stay full alert and intensify their presence in all areas, including public schools to ensure public safety, and prevent similar incidents in the future.