SECRETARY
MANILA, JANUARY 20, 2012 (INQUIRER) A MONTH
after tropical storm "Sendong" brought deadly destruction to northern Mindanao,
schools are now filling up with returning students since classes resumed last
week.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro (photo) said Wednesday 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 January
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 January 3.
"Many people asked why we were pushing for the resumption of classes on
January 3. But I say that we made the right decision," Luistro said.
Figures from the final post-Sendong report of the Department of Education
(DepEd) 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.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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