The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, Aug. 7 assured that a contingency plan is in place to ensure that learning will continue for students whose schools were damaged by the recent typhoons that hit the country.

“Sa mga nasira na paaralan noong recent na bagyo, sila po ang priority para sa ating disaster funds para sa repairs and kung hindi siya umabot by opening of classes, meron tayong blended learning modality na pwede nilang gamitin (In the schools that were damaged during the recent typhoons, they are the priority for our disaster funds for repairs and if [the repairs are not done] by the opening of classes, we have a blended learning modality that they can use),” Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said during the 2023 Brigada Eskwela kick-off held in Tarlac.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/7/dep-ed-reverts-to-simpler-brigada-eskwela-this-year

Schools with infra damage, used as ECs

In a press conference, DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa explained there are around 353 schools that have sustained infrastructure damage due to the recent typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon” as well as that southwest monsoon (habagat).

DepEd, he explained, has been coordinating with its field offices for the repair and rehabilitation of these schools.

“Of course, if there are instances that we need to build temporary learning spaces, we will do that,” Poa said in a mix of English and Filipino. “We are monitoring these schools that were affected by the typhoons.”

Poa said that DepEd is closely monitoring the typhoon-affected schools. “We are looking to prepare those schools for the opening of classes,” he added.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/3/classes-in-public-schools-for-sy-2023-2024-to-start-on-aug-29-dep-ed

However, Poa noted that if schools, especially those with infrastructure damage, are not deemed safe for learners and teachers, they will not be forced to go back to their respective schools.

“What we will do, based on the assessment, is if we need temporary learning spaces, we will put them up,” Poa said.

“If that is not possible, we can switch our learners to blended learning right away through ADM [Alternative Delivery Mode] --- these are the options available,” he added.

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/3/gov-t-urged-to-ensure-immediate-repairs-of-egay-damaged-classrooms

Meanwhile, Poa noted that there are around 128 schools that are also being used as evacuation centers (ECs).

Poa said that the local government units (LGUs) have been “very cooperative” with DepEd when it comes to complying with the 15-day rule on using schools as ECs.

“if there are exceptional cases, we will have to see what we can do with the LGUs but they have been so cooperative so we don’t see any issues,” he added.

Poa said that a P2-billion Quick Response Fund (QRF) is allotted for the repair and rehabilitation of schools damaged by disasters.

He added that the funds to be used for clean-ups have already been downloaded to the regions or affected schools.

While clean-ups may also be done during the Brigada Eskwela from Aug. 14 to 19, he stressed that DepEd is already addressing the concerns of typhoon-damaged schools in the affected areas.

“Overall, this Brigada Eskwela is more of a simple exercise… it’s really about the community spirit working together to clean our schools,” he said. 

READ: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/4/dep-ed-to-hold-2023-brigada-eskwela-from-aug-14-to-19