DepEd: Flood-affected schools to postpone start of classes

EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara announced on Thursday, July 25, that flood-affected schools may have to postpone their back-to-school opening.

Following the incessant rains, catastrophic flooding, and gusty winds caused by Super Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon (Habagat), Secretary Angara said there may be a need to move the start of classes in some places. 

Photo Courtesy: Sonny Angara | Facebook

This is because certain schools would require additional time for cleanup operations and recovery after being severely impacted by the week-long extreme weather event.

“Some schools will really have to postpone their openings kasi maraming aayusin at lilinisin,” said the former senator, who visited several schools in Quezon City after the onslaught of the typhoon.

Meanwhile, for schools that were unaffected by the typhoon, Angara said the resumption of classes on Monday, July 29, will continue.

Damages to schools

DepEd said that the typhoon has damaged approximately 90 schools across the country, with a reconstruction cost estimated at P630 million.

“I’ll be issuing a list tomorrow kung saan postponed ang pasukan and the regional directors will also work with the principals to assess readiness for school opening,” Angara said.

Photo Courtesy: Sonny Angara | Facebook

Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas were reportedly affected and included in the list.

“Hindi namin pipilitin ‘yung mga nasalanta talaga at mahihirapan sa school opening ng Lunes,” he added.

Schools as evacuation centers

Currently, there are 324 schools serving as evacuation centers in six areas. This is another reason why the start of school must be rescheduled. 

To prevent the extended disruption of classes during the La Niña season, DepEd has instructed local government units (LGUs) to avoid using schools as evacuation centers during catastrophes. 

As of 2019, buildings utilized for instructional purposes exceed actual structures allocated to evacuees after natural disasters, like what Luzon experienced previously.

The department allows schools to be used as evacuation centers for not more than 15 days. However, concerns have been raised since some regional and division offices have violated the ban at the request of LGUs.