Schools hold emergency classes for Mayon evacuees

MANILA, Philippines — Public schools in areas affected by the recent activity of Mayon Volcano are holding emergency classes to ensure that the education of students will continue despite the massive displacement of residents.

The Department of Education (DepEd) said its regional office in Bicol has mobilized its resources to provide support to students affected by the volcanic activity.

“Emergency classes were held upon the lifting of suspension by local government heads in the affected areas of Albay as early as Jan. 23,” the agency said.

“Part of the region’s contingency plan is the implementation of three class shifts a day to cater to both resident and displaced learners using temporary learning spaces and other available spaces such as covered halls and tents donated by stakeholders,” it added.

Latest data showed that 53 schools with 905 classrooms in Albay are being used as temporary evacuation centers by more than 58,000 people.

Only 325 classrooms in these schools are available for the conduct of classes, prompting the DepEd to release funds for the construction of 196 temporary learning spaces.

“Teachers and personnel volunteered for camp management, working beyond official hours to implement contingency plans just to make sure that education will continue for our learners from the affected communities,” regional director Ramon Abcede said.

“We have also tapped the schools division offices from other provinces to conduct resource mobilization in order to augment the needs of our schools,” he added.

The DepEd said it would also distribute hygiene kits to affected learners under the agency’s Oplan Sagip Eskwela program.

The agency has also started administering psychological first aid sessions for teachers and learners affected by the disaster.