Teachers will be ‘first in, last out’ when quake hits schools

TEACHERS will play a vital role as first responders when a massive earthquake hits the nation’s capital.

Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro said that it has been explained to teachers that they will implement the “first in, last out” policy which means that they cannot leave the school until all students have been accounted for.

“We serve as the parents of our students, so my directive to the principals and the teachers is ‘first in, last out’ because we our responsible to the welfare of our students first before our own families,” Luistro said.

He said that teachers are needed to become leaders during calamities.

“In any disaster, I told the teachers: ‘We have to ensure leadership.’ That until everyone goes home, you cannot leave the school.  That is a special role of the teacher. You have to be the second parents of the youth,” the Education secretary said.

Teachers are also urged to explain their key role in disaster response to their families.

“This early, I asked our principals to meet with their families and explain the situation that if there is a calamity, they should have designated someone to assume their role in the household to prevent dependency. This is the harsh reality faced by those who are in the education sector,” he added.

During Tuesday’s briefing, Luistro revealed the public schools traversed by the West Valley Fault, a fault line which is capable of unleashing a magnitude 7.2 quake in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

These schools are:

-Barangka National High School in Marikina City,

-Alabang Elementary School,

-Pedro Diaz High School in Muntinlupa City,

-Buli Elementary School in Muntinlupa City and

-Anne Claire Montessori in Taguig City

The Education secretary also estimated that there are about 140 public schools in villages transected by West Valley Fault.  AC

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