THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Wednesday launched pilot active threat simulation drills in public schools nationwide to strengthen preparedness and ensure a swift, coordinated response to potential security threats.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the kickoff during the National Safe Schools Summit and Safety Drill at Manila Science High School, where learners, school personnel, law enforcement agencies, and local government officials participated in synchronized lockout, lockdown, and rapid evacuation exercises.

As part of the initiative, Angara directed all public schools to develop active threat response plans tailored to their unique environments, replacing the one-size-fits-all approach with localized and situation-specific protocols.

“This fight is not DepEd’s fight alone; it is a challenge we must face together, especially given the complexities we have seen in recent weeks. We rely on the active support of our parents, families, communities, local governments, and our partners across all levels of government to ensure our schools remain safe havens,” Angara said.

“Our focus is on proactive prevention and readiness, because adhering to safety protocols is a vital step in saving lives,” he added.

Angara said the department is prioritizing prevention and preparedness by retraining school personnel while further strengthening existing campus safety measures.

During the simulated active threat scenario, learners and teachers practiced lockdown procedures for situations where evacuation was not immediately possible. Participants secured and barricaded classrooms, switched off lights, silenced mobile devices, and stayed out of sight until responding law enforcement personnel subdued and arrested the simulated suspect.

After authorities declared the area safe, teachers led students through an orderly evacuation, instructing them to keep their hands visible while proceeding to the designated school reunification area.

The National Safe Schools Summit brought together key stakeholders to align campus security strategies, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and pilot standardized active threat response drills that may be adopted by schools nationwide.