VM Bebot pushes school-barangay partnership for safer learning spaces

Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez said, during the Council’s regular session Monday, that the coordination between schools and barangays have roles to play in ensuring the safety and well-being of students.

Her statement came in relation to the special reports delivered by council members on school-based violence prevention and the strengthening of campus security measures.

VM Bebot emphasized that teachers are second parents to their students, and they should be vigilant on observable behavioral changes as these may serve as early warning signs of problems that require immediate attention.

To help strengthen child protection efforts in schools, the Department of Education can conduct seminars and training for teachers on recognizing behavioral red flags and identifying children who may need intervention or support, she added.

She further noted that early detection could help minimize incidents of violence within and outside school premises.

Equally important, VM Bebot also urged the barangays to take up the cudgels in promoting school safety.

Drawing from her experience as a former barangay chairperson, she shared that barangays can play a part in addressing issues such as bullying through close coordination with schools, particularly in maintaining peace and order within and around school perimeters. (SPE/SP)