MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS: A PRIORITY AFTER NUEVA ECIJA CLASSROOM VIOLENCE

A recent classroom shooting in Nueva Ecija, which critically injured two students, has prompted the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines to call for urgent psychosocial support in schools.

ACT condemned the incident and highlighted the severe gaps in mental health services, noting there is only one guidance counselor for every 14,000 students nationwide.

The group emphasized the need for more mental health professionals, counseling spaces, and emotional education to create safer learning environments.

Teachers are also overburdened by non-teaching tasks, lacking the support staff to handle traumatic incidents properly.

ACT urged the Department of Education to implement reforms, including hiring more counselors, reducing class sizes, integrating emotional literacy into the curriculum, and thoroughly investigating the shooting to address root causes.

Source: PhilNews24 | August 10, 2025