DepEd compiles stories on disasters, recovery efforts

MANILA, Philippines – In order to promote disaster resilience in schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) has initiated a writing activity to compile stories on applying of best practices during and after a calamity.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones issued a memorandum containing the guidelines for the story-writing activity, which will be open to teachers and students in areas that have experienced disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes.

“This activity supports DepEd’s order on comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management in basic education framework, which seeks to guide DRRM efforts in the basic education sector towards resilience-building of offices and schools, and to ensure that quality education is continuously provided and prioritized even during disasters or emergencies,” said Briones.

The DepEd chief ordered division superintendents and school heads to encourage teachers and students to participate in the story-writing activity.

The stories may include the experiences of either the student or the teacher on lessons learned during a disaster or in the recovery efforts.

DepEd will compile the top 100 stories, which will be judged based on the application of best practices, the recovery efforts made in order to attain a return to normalcy, and the uniqueness of the story.

The compilation will be produced as an information and educational communication material, which will be shared online with different DepEd offices and other agencies.