The Department of Education (DepEd) has reiterated its strict implementation of policies and guidelines concerning online safety in public schools. The agency aims to ensure learners' online safety amid a series of school-related violence.
DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), prohibits learners and school personnel from using portable electronic devices during instructional hours. This includes social media platforms, online games, content creation, and vlogging during class hours.
The policy, however, exempts the use of gadgets for educational purposes, such as accessing educational platforms and digital resources, participating in online activities, and in emergencies, such as disasters, medical crises, and other safety concerns.
DepEd also called upon parents, local government units, law enforcement agencies, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders to guide learners in developing empathy towards others. A whole-of-society approach is necessary in order to properly guide learners, the agency said.
The agency has also announced plans to deploy 10,000 new school counselor positions for School Year 2026-2027. This initiative aims to safeguard students' mental health and well-being. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has approved the positions for Schools Division Counselor (SDC), School Counselor I–IV, and School Counselor Associate (SCA) I–V.
The Education chief noted that the commission's approval for the posts under Republic Act (RA) No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, helps push mental health and psychosocial support services across public schools. The approval of the Qualification Standards is a major milestone in the implementation of RA 12080.
DepEd is preparing implementation guidelines to begin recruitment, appointment, and deployment of qualified SCAs in accordance with civil service laws, rules, and regulations. The agency aims to establish professional standards for its school counseling workforce and bring quality mental health and psychosocial support services closer to learners across the country.
Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian had earlier renewed his proposal to ban the use of smartphones and other electronic devices in both public and private schools, as well as to impose a social media ban for minors. This proposal follows the rise in school incidents.
Authorities have reported numerous school-related threats and violence since June 16, including a shooting attack in Tacloban City that killed three students.
