MANILA, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine education department has ordered all elementary and secondary schools nationwide to conduct a safety drill on Aug. 25, local media reported on Friday.
All public and private schools across the country are required to organize the drill in response to growing concerns over recent school shooting cases, according to local media outlet Philstar.
Schools must develop, review or update their School Contingency Plan for Active Attack Incidents and share the approved plans with local government units, the Philippine National Police and their Parent-Teacher Association, the report said.
A series of school shootings in the Philippines since the start of the year has left multiple students dead and injured, prompting strong public calls for the government to strengthen school safety measures. ■