WITH just a handful of areas under flood water, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. insisted on opening classes on July 29 as scheduled — even if it takes to conduct classes outside the school building.
“As much as possible, if the school buildings are in good shape for classes, they will hold them,” Marcos said evrn as he admitted that there are indeed some schools which require tedious clean up ang facility repair where classes
“There are only a few places with water left, but many have been left with mud, rendering them unusable. Additionally, there are damaged materials that we’ll have to replace.”
“Maybe some will be forced to hold classes outside the school building just to have classes. Let’s see. It’s like that – we’ve gotten used to it during the pandemic. We’ll find a way to still have classes,” the President added.
He however clarified that the decision to hold classes in storm-affected areas will be up to individual school administrators.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara earlier hinted at an imminent delay in the opening of classes in public schools that have taken heavy storm damage.
Based on the Department of Education (DepEd) data, a total of 12,866 basic learning institutions were damaged by typhoon Carina.
At least 788 schools are also incapable of beginning the school year on time across four regions, including, the National Capital Region, Region 3, Region 12, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region.
Angara, however, said classes will begin on schedule in schools that have sustained only superficial damage.
As of Thursday, 90 schools in nine regions – including Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visaya – were reported to have been badly damaged by the typhoons.
Moreover, around 324 schools in six regions are presently out of commission because they are a being used as evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized Marcos’ callous instruction to hold classes even outdoors as outright shameless and unbecoming of a president of a republic.
“It is a blatant insult to millions of Filipino students and teachers who have long suffered from a chronic lack of classrooms and basic educational facilities, further worsened by Typhoon Carina. His ignorance of ground realities and disregard for the right to quality education are disturbing,” said Roel Mape, ACT Spokesperson.
“Every year, the same issues with typhoon-damaged schools arise. We demand swift action from the Marcos Jr. administration to address the perennial classroom shortage and repair typhoon-damaged schools. A comprehensive, long-term plan is needed, not unviable quick fixes,” he added.
“The government must develop an efficient system for quick assessment and repair to minimize class disruptions, and must allocate sufficient funds to build and repair classrooms, ensuring all schools have the necessary facilities for safe and effective learning,” Mape said.
“It’s time to go beyond band-aid solutions like class shifting and temporary spaces. Quality education cannot happen in makeshift classrooms or under trees. Our students and teachers deserve better.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
