THE Department of Education (DepEd) said it has mobilized rapid response teams to ensure that students can return to their studies as soon as possible following the disruption caused by tropical storm Kristine.
According to the DepEd, it a comprehensive recovery plan ensuring that classes can resume without further delay.
Under the plan, DepEd eyes more rehabilitation and recovery efforts through speedy rehabilitation of damaged learning resources such as textbooks, tools, equipment, and computer systems, as well as additional maintenance and other operating expenses for regional offices (ROs), schools division offices, reprinting of additional self-learning modules, and setting up of temporary learning spaces, among others.
The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System reported that 38,376 schools suspended classes, including some 900 schools that were flooded or affected by landslides and 1,127 schools used as evacuation centers.
DepEd placed the total damage to schools at P3.7 billion, and it needed P2.9 billion for reconstruction, plus P737.5 million for major repairs.
“Every day out of school is a lost opportunity to learn,” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara stressed.
“That is why we are prioritizing rehabilitation efforts to restore normalcy in the education system as quickly as possible.” he added.
The agency was also looking at the grant of special emergency leaves to enable its employees to quickly recover. The leave provides up to five paid days for government personnel directly affected by the disaster.
“This leave allows our employees to focus on recovery, whether it’s rebuilding their homes or supporting their families, so they can return to work ready to serve,” Angara noted.
“Our goal is clear: to bring students back to school and back to learning as soon as possible,” Angara said.
