Gov’t urged to address ‘education crisis’
MANILA, Philippines - Over 30,000 children in Marawi are unable to return to school and face a bleak future, an independent international children’s rights organization reported on Tuesday, as it urged the government to address the “education crisis” caused by the three-month conflict in the city.
Save the Children Philippines country director Ned Olney said more than half of the 60,000 children who fled Marawi when the fighting broke out three months ago have not enrolled in school.
“Tens of thousands of children are missing out on vital education because of the conflict in Marawi, and tragically the longer they stay out of school, the less likely it is they’ll ever go back,” he said.
“This education crisis needs to be addressed urgently to ensure that children do not fall permanently out of the school system. We know that the school is the best place for children to be during conflict, providing an important sense of routine and protection from exploitation and abuse,” he added.
Olney further reported that those who are able to enroll can’t afford basic learning materials such as uniforms and school supplies.
Some of the children from Marawi also attend classes with up to 100 students in one class.
Based on data from the Department of Education (DepEd), at least 14 schools in Marawi have been destroyed, burnt or looted.
The organization said there are also instances where classes have doubled in size due to the influx of students from Marawi.
“Life is a daily struggle for those who fled Marawi, particularly the families who are now entering a fourth month living in evacuation centers,” said Olney.
“Cramped facilities increase the risk of the spread of illnesses, like diarrhea, but it can also impact the emotional health of the displaced,” Olney said, adding that many children from the war-torn city would need long-term support to deal with the emotional distress they have been through.
“The children who fled or experienced the bloodshed in Marawi are at risk of being permanently traumatized after repeatedly witnessing conflict and hearing horrifying stories about those who didn’t make it,” he said.
Save the Children has been responding to the Marawi crisis since the beginning and has set up 25 temporary learning spaces in host schools to help cope with the high number of new enrolments.
The group has also distributed 3,000 back-to-school kits for students, and is working with the DepEd to deliver psychosocial support to teachers and children.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier pledged to ensure the welfare of the students from Marawi, saying they are coordinating with other government agencies and private groups to provide the necessary support to those affected by the conflict.