Typhoons Wreak Havoc on Bicol Region Schools, DepEd Scrambling to Recover
Schools in Bicol region initiate catch-up sessions; Kristine and Pepito's absence on DepEd calendar causes chaos in schedule.
In the Bicol Region of the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) is on a mission to restore lost academic ground following a series of typhoons that disrupted learning. Make-up classes are back in session, starting on November 25, as a direct response to the "unparalleled learning interruptions" these storms have brought upon the region.
DepEd Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad has signed a memorandum, ordering these make-up classes and postponing in-service training programs for public teachers until February 2025. Sadsad's action was a response to the damaging consequences of typhoons, which began with Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) in late October and culminated in Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) on November 16. Cities like Catanduanes were hit particularly hard, with numerous schools left in ruins.
According to DepEd-Bicol's internal Rapid Assessment of Damages Report (RADAR), dated November 19, an estimated 408 schools have been affected, 244 classrooms have been destroyed, and nearly 4,000 students have been displaced throughout the region. Camarines Sur has the highest count of impacted schools (144), followed by Camarines Norte (113) and Catanduanes (108).
While many classrooms lay in rubble, the financial toll remains uncertain. However, these make-up classes aim to compensate for lost learning during the suspension of classes and bridge learning gaps caused by Typhoon Kristine and Pepito. The objective is to cover competencies missed during the suspended sessions, ensuring quality education and reversing the impact on students' learning.
DepEd-Bicol has deployed its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) team to Catanduanes to conduct a post-disaster needs assessment following the devastation caused by Pepito. This team will evaluate reported damages, address immediate needs, and ensure that hazardous areas are designated after assessing their safety. The gathered data will serve as a foundation for requesting additional funds to address the urgent needs of students and teachers in affected areas.
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[1] www.unicef.org[2] government.com.ph[3] disastermanagement.gov[4] rehabplan.gov
Despite the devastation caused by Typhoons Kristine and Pepito in the Bicol Region, the Department of Education (DepEd) is taking proactive measures to minimize the impact on students' education. General-news reports indicate that DepEd has ordered make-up classes to compensate for lost learning and bridge learning gaps, while the DepEd-Bicol's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) team is assessing the damages caused by Typhoon Pepito to prioritize the allocation of resources for the region's recovery in politics.
