Uwan damages almost 3K schools, displaces over 900K learners

The destruction from Super Typhoon Uwan displaced almost 914,000 students and damaged thousands of schools across the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday.

A rapid assessment by the DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) showed that Uwan forced the suspension of classes in 2,979 public schools and turned 968 schools into evacuation centers.

The DepEd added that 2,953 schools sustained varying degrees of damage from the typhoon’s powerful winds and heavy rains.

These circumstances displaced 913,377 students and affected 46,877 personnel across the country.

The Deped’s DRRMS said 1,986 classrooms were totally destroyed, while 3,503 suffered major damage, and 10,400 classrooms are in need of minor repairs.

The Bicol Region bore the brunt of the typhoon with 8,283 classrooms damaged.

Following Uwan’s devastation, the DepEd mobilized approximately P661.1 million for clean-up, minor repairs, and temporary learning facilities. 

Of this, P151.5 million will go toward clean-up and clearing operations, while P509.6 million will fund minor repairs.

The Bicol Region alone needs P328.8 million for clean-up, minor repairs, and temporary learning facilities.

The DepEd is also coordinating with the World Bank for potential funding support for classroom reconstruction.

Its immediate priorities are the repair and reconstruction of classrooms, establishment of temporary learning spaces (TLS) with learning materials, provision of emergency connectivity and solar generators, and psychological first aid to students and personnel affected by the disaster.

The DepEd’s field offices were instructed to utilize unobligated Disaster Preparedness and Response Program (DPRP) funds for rapid interventions.

“DepEd is committed to restoring normal educational operations while safeguarding the well-being of learners and education personnel,” the DepEd said, as it stressed coordination with local government units to restore electricity, water, and connectivity. — JMA, GMA Integrated News