Education Secretary Sonny Angara (Courtesy: DepEd/Facebook)
Education Secretary Sonny Angara has called on families to serve as the “first line of defense” against school violence and bullying, urging parents and guardians to take an active role in protecting learners.
Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) alone cannot address violence in basic education institutions and stressed that efforts must extend beyond the classroom, with families playing a crucial role in identifying potential problems early.
He urged parents and guardians to take an active role in their children’s lives and watch for “red flags,” or changes in behavior, before these escalate into violence or bullying.
“Let us talk to our children every day, listen to what they are going through, and coordinate with their teachers and schools,” Angara said.
To strengthen this line of defense, DepEd is seeking to expand its Kaagapay Program under DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026, and integrate it with the Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) Program under Republic Act No. 11908.
The Kaagapay Program equips parent communities with practical tools through training sessions on identifying red flags, managing behavioral issues, and coordinating with school Child Protection Committees (CPCs) and guidance personnel.
DepEd is working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to incorporate PES learning materials into the Kaagapay Program, with the goal of addressing root causes of violence, including mental health concerns and online risks.
The department has also launched the Strengthening Collaboration of Parents and Teachers on Learner Protection program, which runs from July to November in several regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, National Capital Region and Cagayan Valley.
The initiative uses session guides developed by the DepEd Bureau of Learner Support Services-Learner Rights and Protection Division in partnership with ChildFund Philippines, Stairway Foundation Inc. and Meta Philippines.
The training covers online safety issues, including online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse and exploitation material (CSAEM), as well as bullying and cyberbullying prevention.
It also provides parents with tools for creating a safe and protective home environment, technology-based protective measures, and reporting and referral pathways linking homes with schools and communities.
Trained Regional and Division Learner Rights and Protection personnel and Education Program Specialists in Values Education will lead the training at the division and school levels.
DepEd is also working with Parent-Teacher Associations and School Governing Councils to encourage greater parental involvement in learner protection initiatives and strengthen cooperation between schools and families.
Angara said keeping students safe is a shared responsibility among families, schools and communities.
“Through the cooperation of schools, parents and communities, we can ensure that every Filipino child is safe, protected and cared for,” he said.