MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - More than 50 school campuses in low-lying areas in the province are now submerged in knee-deep floodwaters as rivers and swamps nearby continues to swell amid heavy downpours.
Jamar Kulayan, regional education secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on Saturday said some 9,000 grade school pupils would have to stay in their homes until the floodwaters recede.
“The teachers in these schools have been directed to suspend classes meantime for the safety of their pupils,” he said.
Kulayan said many of the affected schools were already flooded as early as Monday, after heavy rains caused big rivers in Maguindanao to swell and overflow.
Kulayan said teachers in the flooded schools can hold classes in higher grounds accessible to their pupils.
"But they are also advised to exercise `judgement call' whenever necessary. They should not compromise the safety of school children," Kulayan said.