Student attendance in flood-stricken areas returning to normal—DepEd

MANILA, Philippines—A month since Tropical Storm “Sendong’’ brought deadly destruction to Northern Mindanao, schools are returning to normal, gaining attendance over the last week since classes resumed.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said Wednesday that student turnout in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City schools neared 100 percent even as some classes continued to be held in makeshift classrooms.

“I’m happy because [at the opening of classes], attendance was 30 to 40 percent. But based on the reports that I’ve been receiving today, classes are now almost back to normal,” said Luistro.

First to complete attendance, to the surprise of officials, was Bayug Elementary School, whose facilities were “totally washed out” when Sendong triggered flash floods in Northern Mindanao a month ago. The elementary school is holding classes at an alternative location, officials said.

“If you remember, that school was totally washed out. But they were the ones who first registered a complete attendance [since classes resumed on Jan. 3],” said Luistro.

“That’s where you’ll see what happens if a principal is diligent,” he said.

Lino Rivera, undersecretary for regional operations, said Bayug school officials dedicated time and checked every evacuation center in the city to look for their students before classes resumed on Jan. 3.

“Many people asked why we were pushing for the resumption of classes on Jan. 3. But I say that we made the right decision,” Luistro said.

Figures from the final post-Sendong report of the Department of Education placed the total damage to schools at P114.93 million, including destruction of school buildings, equipment, books and other learning materials.

Flooding affected 482 classrooms in 60 schools where more than 26,000 are enrolled.

Luistro said only a few schools remained occupied by evacuees as most have been moved to temporary shelter, including tents placed on school grounds.

DepEd continues counseling students to ease them into formal classes again, Luistro said.

“What we’ve been doing is play therapy, writing stories, prayers. If teachers spot students who might need professional help, we refer them to our partners [organizations],” Luistro said.