The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Friday that at least 738 public schools across four regions will not be reopening for the start of classes on Monday, July 29, in view of the recent floods brought by the southwest monsoon rains (habagat) enhanced by Super Typhoon ‘Carina.’
In a report released to the media, the DepEd said a total of 12,866 basic learning institutions in Central Luzon, National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Soccsksargen were impacted by a string of weather disturbances this week.
Of this number, 738 public schools are unable to hold onsite classes by Monday including 442 in Central Luzon, 206 in NCR, 86 in CAR, and 4 in Soccsksargen. At least 246 schools are not operational due to floods while 64 are being used as evacuation centers.
In total, 424 schools have been utilized as temporary shelters for residents heavily affected by the storm, according to the DepEd report.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara emphasized the importance of continuing education in unaffected areas to prevent further learning loss.
“Last year, students missed up to 53 class days out of the 180-day school year. We should take advantage of every day to learn because we don’t want a repeat of the learning loss, which has already occurred,” he said.
Angara echoed this sentiment in a press conference earlier this Friday, highlighting that the Philippines has one of the highest numbers of missed school days globally.
“We cannot do a ‘wholesale’ postponement. We know that if another storm comes, classes have to be suspended once more. I hope learners who can start their classes could attend because the learning loss is very real,” the DepEd chief underscored.
Angara further explained that they could not just open the school year in affected areas through online means, as he prefers traditional methods of learning.
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said DepEd has P3.2 billion available for repairs caused by the floods.
She also mentioned there is a P2 billion National Insurance Indemnity Fund for the 2024 Budget Year 2024, which covers 132,000 schools.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to correct the published figures earlier. Attached is a summary on the number of schools that will postpone the opening of classes.
