Marawi schools rebuilding starts

MARAWI  , Philippines  — Rebuilding of schools damaged in the conflict in this city officially began yesterday, with Education Secretary Leonor Briones promising not to stop until all schools are fully rehabilitated.

Briones led various stakeholders at the launch of the three-day Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi.

“This is just the start of the series of activities that we will do in Marawi,” she told reporters at Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School, one of the schools damaged in the conflict.“ There is still so much to be done.”

DepEd data showed that 22 public schools were destroyed while another 47 were damaged and require repair and rehabilitation.

The first phase of Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi covers only 15 schools, a majority of which have started classes.

Rebuilding of the schools affected by the conflict could take up to two years as officials have to take into account the plans of other agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The cost of rehabilitation  could reach P1.5 billion for 69 public schools.

‘Never make children weep’

Students who returned to the city have started to rebuild their lives even as they have yet to fully recover from the impact of losing their homes at a young age.

“During the presentations, there were children who were dancing. We saw one of them also weeping and we asked her why was she crying. She said she wants Marawi back. She wants the Marawi that she knows back,” Briones said.

“I promised her that before she really fully grows up, Marawi will be restored... We should never, never make children weep,” she said.

Briones said she would return to the city next year to inspect the schools in the main battle area, which has yet to be declared as a safe zone by the military.

Most of the schools in the so-called ground zero were destroyed.

At least 3,000 of about 20,000 students who were displaced by the conflict have returned to the city after it was declared liberated from members of the Maute terror group.