The Department of Education (DepEd) said it continues to monitor the schools, students, and personnel affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island.

In a statement issued on March 5, DepEd said it is addressing the challenges posed by Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption, which has disrupted education in Western and Central Visayas since December 2024.

Citing data from its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), DepEd reported that, as of March 5, a total of 11 schools are still being used as evacuation centers.

This situation, DepEd added, is affecting 11,177 students and 441 personnel.

“These schools are implementing alternative delivery modalities due to the ongoing impact of the eruption,” DepEd said.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara has assured the public of continued monitoring and the provision of necessary support for affected schools.

He also directed the DepEd DRRMS to conduct a consultation meeting with Schools Division Offices in Regions VI and VII to assess the most pressing needs before conducting a field visit later this month.

“With these overlapping challenges, we are ensuring that education continues—whether through flexible learning options or direct interventions,” Angara said. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our learners and teachers,” he added.

As of March 6, Kanlaon Volcano remained under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified or magmatic unrest, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs strongly recommends the evacuation of areas within the 6-kilometer radius of the volcano's summit, along with other precautionary measures.