DepEd urges schools to hire blue guards
Here’s a poignant reality: the government could not afford to hire security guards to man every schools in the country.
Thus, to boost each school’s security measures, school organizations like Parents-Teachers-Community Associations (PTCA) are enjoined to consider the hiring of security guards as part of their support projects.
In an interview over Police Regional Office (PRO) VI’s Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis program, Department of Education (DepEd) regional director Mildred Garay said that the presence of security guards is important to ensure the safety of children in school.
While there are public schools with plantilla positions for security guards, many schools don’t have, she added.
More often than not, these schools without plantilla positions for security guards resort to getting the support of parents for the hiring of security guards.
The PTCA allocates budget for the purpose.
Garay said the collection of fees for security guards, once agreed by PTCA, is therefore allowed under DepEd Order No. 65, series of 2010 (General Guidelines on the Opening of Classes, Including Collection of School Contributions, Enrolment, Student Uniforms and Release of MOOE).
Meanwhile, this appeal elicited a resounding support from PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas.
The region’s top cop said that while there are police personnel being deployed near the school premises, the presence of security guards remains very important.
“Our police personnel simply conduct visibility patrol. They cannot give attention to checking who comes in or out of the school which is the function of a security guard,” he explained.
Further, Cuevas pointed out that the dearth of policemen also prevents them from deploying uniformed personnel in every school all over the region.