Marilyn Cahatol

Teachers give orientation to parents and pupils as classes open at Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School in Paco, Manila, on June 16, 2025. The Department of Education projects enrollment from preschool to Senior High School at approximately 27 million students. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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CLASS OPENING

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178562868487620250616-class-opening-manila-JC5166.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Teachers give orientation to parents and pupils as classes open at Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School in Paco, Manila, on June 16, 2025. The Department of Education projects enrollment from preschool to Senior High School at approximately 27 million students. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A teachers’ group on Sunday called for the immediate and full implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act to hire more counselors and put up care centers in schools to prevent more cases of school violence.</p><p>The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition said it mourns recent student deaths in schools, including one killed in a recent stabbing case in Las Piñas and the three killed in the<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/22/alleged-school-shooting-reported-in-tacloban-1034"> school shooting </a>in Tacloban City in June.</p><p>TDC urged authorities to address students’ emotional and psychological well-being, noting that “[v]iolence is often rooted in deeper social and mental health concerns that require early intervention and sustained support.”</p><p>They said a plan to hire 10,000 school counselor associates is welcome but far from sufficient for more than 45,000 public schools across the country. Most of those have no dedicated guidance personnel.</p><p>“Providing accessible counseling and psychosocial support is essential in preventing violence, identifying learners at risk, promoting positive behavior, and fostering safer and healthier school communities,” TDC said.</p><p>TDC&#x27;s call comes in light of incidents of violence that the school shooting in Tacloban put the spotlight on.</p><p>Authorities said they saw a &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/9/-copycat-phenomenon-more-incidents-of-school-violence-recorded-after-tacloban-shooting-deped-1430">copycat phenomenon</a>&quot; after the shooting, with stabbing incidents and the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/9/student-found-carrying-army-issued-handgun-in-south-cotabato-0948">confiscation of firearms</a> from students.</p><p>A <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/31/13-anyos-na-estudyante-patay-sa-pananaksak-sa-loob-ng-paaralan-sa-las-pi-as-1923">13-year-old student died</a> Friday afternoon after being stabbed by a 14-year-old in school premises during class hours in Las Piñas City. The police said the incident was triggered by a disagreement over pocket change.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/21/grade-11-student-stabbed-by-schoolmate-in-cavite-1109">Grade 11 student stabbed by schoolmate in Cavite</a></div><p>“These incidents remind us that violence has no place in our schools and that the safety of learners and school personnel must be a national priority,” TDC said.</p><p>The group called on the Department of Education and other agencies to review and reinforce security protocols, improve emergency preparedness, strengthen coordination with law enforcement and ensure that schools are equipped to respond to potential threats.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/deped-pilots-nationwide-active-threat-drills-as-part-of-school-safety-summit-1713">DepEd pilots nationwide active threat drills as part of school safety summit<br/></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qIpsRqHwo-I?si=cs2V5iL8S9QglgHX" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Teachers' Dignity Coalition urged authorities to address students’ emotional and psychological well-being, noting that “[v]iolence is often rooted in deeper social and mental health concerns that require early intervention and sustained support.”</p>

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition urged authorities to address students’ emotional and psychological well-being, noting that “[v]iolence is often rooted in deeper social and mental health concerns that require early intervention and sustained support.”

Teachers' group calls for implementation of school mental health law after spike in violence

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Teachers' group calls for implementation of school mental health law after spike in violence

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 02, 2026 08:22 AM PHT

|

Updated August 02, 2026 09:44 AM PHT

Read More:

school violence

Teachers' Dignity Coalition

Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act

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