School facilities and establishments in the country, particularly in the Bicol Region and Calabarzon, were not spared from the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly.
Data from the Department of Education (DepEd) show that 138 classrooms were totally damaged, 289 classrooms sustained major damages, and 609 classrooms had minor damages as of November 3.
A total of 869 public schools are currently being used as evacuation centers for 82,584 individuals due to TY Rolly.
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones admitted on Tuesday that the utilization of schools as evacuation centers in times of calamity is not avoidable, but emphasized that quarantine and evacuation facilities must not be set up in the same area.
“It does not make any, any sense at all to mix quarantine centers and evacuation centers. They have to be safely distanced and they have to pass the standards and the requirements,” Briones stated.
The DepEd assured that assistance to affected teachers and personnel are in place.
“‘Yung mga organization sa DepEd, nagtutulungan sila at hinahapan nga natin ng paraan dahil in-integrate naman lahat ng pondo in relation with disaster sa isang ahensya (Organizations in DepEd are helping out in finding ways since all funds have been reintegrated in relation with disaster),” Briones ensured.
As for learners whose modules were damaged, DepEd USec. Diosdado San Antonio said their staff in the said areas are prepared for such situationst.
“Kalimitan po may mga nahuhugot po na buffer sa pag-reproduce, ‘yung mga nagamit na, na kailangan ng mga batang mahuhuli (Usually, there are buffers available for reproduction which are needed by learners who will be late),” he explained.
The DepEd has already directed all regional directors and schools division superintendents to coordinate with local governments regarding temporary suspension of learning activities. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
