DepEd says school suspensions affect almost 7 million students

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 7 million students were affected by school suspensions amid the effects of the southwest monsoon, which was intensified by Tropical Depression Luis and Tropical Storm Maymay, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday.

According to DepEd in its latest situation report, the total 6,756,868 learners affected were recorded in 10,671 public schools across eight regions in the country, but mostly in Luzon.

READ: Walang pasok: Class, work suspensions on Aug. 11

Most of these affected students were located in Central Luzon as the region that recorded the most number of suspended in-person classes at 3,659.

Meanwhile, 298,398 school personnel were also reported affected by these suspensions.

A total of 107 schools and 387 classrooms are also currently being used as evacuation centers, housing around 2,065 families as of August 10.

In terms of weather-related damage, a total of 858 schools have been affected, with 2,872 classrooms sustaining minor damage, 1,003 suffering major damage and 917 being totally damaged.

DepEd said it will have to release P24.5 million for clean-up and clearing operations, as well as another P140.728 million for repairs of damaged classrooms. /jpv