Tents to take classrooms’ place in storm-hit areas

DAVAO CITY—Tents will serve as temporary classrooms in at least three towns in Davao Oriental that bore the brunt of Typhoon “Pablo,” according to an education official.

Jenielito Atillo, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Southern Mindanao, said the tents will be put up in place of classrooms in the towns of Baganga, Boston and Cateel.

Normalcy

Atillo said classes in the tents will open on the same day as those in other schools spared by the storm to bring a semblance of normalcy to schoolchildren displaced by Typhoon Pablo.

Atillo denied reports that the opening of classes in typhoon-ravaged areas has been moved to Jan. 14.

“It’s more alarming if classes remain suspended. At least, the opening will give schoolchildren a flicker of hope,” he said.

The tents, he said, will also host pyschosocial therapy sessions for children and teachers.

At least 48 tents have been distributed in 48 schools in Davao Oriental. Each tent is as big as two classrooms.

Atillo said the DepEd is unsure of when new school buildings could be built in place of those that were destroyed or when schools that suffered damages can be repaired. Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao