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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will tap the expertise of mental health experts and advocates to address the recent incidents of violence in schools.
In a statement on Thursday, DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said the incidents are “related to mental health issues” based on their circumstances.
“We acknowledge the recent incidents involving violence in schools. We can see from the circumstances surrounding such incidents that they are related to mental health issues,” he said.
“The Department commits to seek out mental health experts and advocates to be able to formulate and implement effective programs to address such issues at the school level,” Poa added.
READ: Stabbing in QC school shines light on urgency of addressing campus violence in PH
Last Friday, a 15-year-old male student at Culiat High School in Quezon City stabbed his 13-year-old classmate.
READ: Violence in school: Teen stabs classmate dead in Quezon City
The DepEd said it was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.
READ: Stabbing dead of student inside QC school disturbs DepEd
On Wednesday, another school in Quezon City — San Francisco High School — was rattled by a bomb threat.
READ: Bomb scare hits another Quezon City school
On Thursday, a 12-year-old Grade 6 student was killed in his school in San Jose del Monte Bulacan after he accidentally fired the service pistol of his father, who is a police officer.