Classes resume in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Fear was still apparent in the faces of students and teachers as classes resumed yesterday, with officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) leading the opening of selected schools in areas outside of the military operations against the rebels. 

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin joined DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera in leading the resumption of classes during a flag ceremony at Sta. Maria Central School, some three kilometers away from the villages of Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara where fighting continued into the 17th day.

Rivera said the resumption of classes was based on the assessment and recommendation of the local Crisis Management Committee (CMC).

A number of business establishments and commercial centers also reopened yesterday, signaling a return to normalcy in the city.

 As for the opening of classes, Rivera said it would not be regular for the next few days.

“DepEd is learner-centered. If we start formal classes, they (students) won’t understand anything because some of these kids are still in shock. We need to ease them into regular learning modes,” he said.

Rivera said they still need to findout where the other students are, especially those in evacuation centers.

Rivera thanked the teachers and education personnel for reporting for work yesterday. “We only open classes in areas which we are sure and based on the advice of the CMC,” Rivera said.

The DepEd said at least 168 out of 205 public elementary and secondary schools in the city resumed classes.

Rivera admitted some of the teachers were still traumatized by the events, even after two days of psychosocial stress debriefing in preparation for the resumption of classes.

“Some of the teachers were still asking or some of them are still traumatized on the incidents for the past weeks, but despite that they are in full force,” Rivera said.

 Only 300 students appeared in Sta. Maria Central School, which has a population of more than 4,000 students. – Helen Flores, Rainier Allan Ronda