DepEd: Treat schools as peace zones

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Leonor Briones has appealed to the military and other groups involved in the ongoing clashes in Marawi City to treat schools as neutral ground or zones of peace.

“Worldwide, schools are universally treated as neutral zones despite being in the middle of intense armed conflict and are free from the presence of armed combatants regardless of what side they are from,” Briones said.

“It is imperative that this point be stressed, and that our schools be accorded the same respect – that schools are places for learning, caring and nurturing. A true second home for our students,” added the education chief.

In a memorandum, she also ordered school officials in the country to post tarpaulins declaring schools as zones of peace, aside from reminding the public of a 2015 declaration that says schools must always be treated that way.

“The department enjoins all personnel, stakeholders and the community as a whole to actively participate and establish peace building initiatives to ensure the safety of our learners, personnel and schools,” the memorandum read.

Briones earlier appealed to infighting groups to spare teachers, school personnel and students from violence, intimidation or threat amid the continuing clashes in Marawi City. – With Non Alquitran