THE number of pupils displaced by the government offensive against the terrorist groups in Marawi City rose to more than 20,000 Monday even as the Education department said some 27.7 million students showed up for the resumption of classes.
The department expected a drop in enrollment figures from the schools in Marawi and in eight villages in Lanao del Sur after the school opening was moved back by two weeks.
But Education Secretary Leonor Briones said they expected an increase in enrollment in the schools in Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Cotabato, Quezon City and Manila as a result of the growing number of evacuees affected by the fighting between security forces and the members of the Abu Sayyaf and Maute terrorist groups.
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said he had created an inter-agency group that would ensure the rehabilitation of Marawi City’s energy facilities following the damage inflicted by the Maute group that laid siege on the city starting last month.
The inter-agency group is composed of the Energy Department, National Power Corp., Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., National Electrification Administration and the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative.
Briones had earlier estimated that only 5,000 students would be affected by the crisis in Marawi, but it appeared the number was more.
“While we are relying on reports, we see that these are ‘extensive’ and we are not sure about the conditions now of the schools,” she said.
Briones, who conducted school visits in two populous high schools in Manila on Monday, said the resumption of classes was generally “smooth.”
Education Undersecretary for Planning and Regional Operations Jesus Lorenzo Mateo said the “substantial increase in the budget and greater support from stakeholders and the local government” contributed to the smooth opening of classes despite the usual hiccups and glitches.
Briones said there were 27.7 million students this school year including some 0.8 million learners who were under the Alternative Learning System. With Alena Mae S. Flores