AdZU elementary, junior high classes suspended next week

MANILA, Philippines — Classes at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) in grade school and junior high school will remain suspended next week, from Aug. 24 to 28, following the shooting incident inside its campus that killed two students, including the gunman.

In his video message, AdZU president Fr. Ernald Andal said that from Sept. 1 to 4, students will be given non-academic activities through an alternative learning modality focused on emotional well-being, reconnection and readiness to return.

“We understand the desire for students to return immediately. A familiar routine can help in the healing process and we do not intend to delay their return longer than necessary. But at the same time, safety is more than the absence of an immediate threat. Many students and personnel are still processing what happened. The temporary suspension will allow those who need support to receive it. It will also give our faculty and staff time to prepare for a careful return and an orderly return,” Andal said.

A junior high school student killed a classmate before shooting himself dead inside the Junior High School campus.

Andal said that on the second day of the psychological first aid sessions, the university’s team supported 92 students, 16 parents and 105 faculty and staff.

“This support will continue in the coming days. If you are a member of the AdZU community and would seek such sessions, please email the Ateneo Center for Testing at act@adzu.edu.ph.,” Andal said.

Andal added that Meta acted on over 200,000 harmful and misleading content that violated its community standards and could cause further pain to the families and the community.

He noted that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla reported authorities have found no indication at this stage of a conspiracy or the involvement of anyone else.

For his part, Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso has called on schools to prepare specific security and contingency plans, stressing that every school should have its own detailed emergency response plan.

School safety drill

The Department of Education (DepEd) ordered the conduct of a nationwide simultaneous school safety drill on Aug. 25, amid the shooting incident inside the AdZU campus.

DepEd Undersecretary and chief of staff Fatima Lipp Panontongan directed all regional directors, all school division superintendents, all public and private elementary and secondary school heads to hold the drill at 9 a.m.

Panontongan added that the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, in coordination with regional and division offices, shall instruct all public and private elementary and secondary schools to conduct a drill based on their localized school contingency plan for active attack incidents.

Panontongan said all schools should develop, review or update their contingency plans for active attack incidents to ensure the effective conduct of the activity.

She added that a copy of the approved contingency plan should be shared with local government units, Philippine National Police and parent-teacher associations to strengthen coordination and preparedness.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara met with officials following his visit to AdZU on Wednesday to offer support and assess security concerns. — Roel Pareño, Neil Jayson Servallos