Classes in public schools resume Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — Classes in public elementary and high schools nationwide will resume today following the three-week break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary and spokesperson Annalyn Sevilla said the resumption of classes may push through even in areas affected by Tropical Depression Usman last week.

“Respective school division offices that are directly affected by Usman have the discretion to suspend classes if needed. They need to closely coordinate with local disaster units and respective DepEd
regional offices,” she told The STAR.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones has directed local DepEd officials to monitor, report and provide prompt response to those who need it, Sevilla said.

Based on latest data from the agency’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, 47 public schools in Regions 4-A, 4-B, 5 and 8 were used as evacuation centers by over 5,000 people.

Evacuees are still staying in 19 schools as of Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, 29 schools in Regions 5 and 6 were reportedly flooded because of the heavy downpour caused by Usman, which has been downgraded into a low-pressure area.

DepEd said it will deploy response interventions to affected schools, including temporary learning spaces, clean-up activities and kits for teachers and students.

Classes were originally scheduled to resume yesterday but this was moved to today following the Palace declaration suspending work in government offices on Jan. 2.