TACLOBAN CITY — Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has raised concerns about the significant “learning loss” caused by the frequent suspension of classes due to typhoons and other natural disasters in the country.
Speaking during the welcome program for the National Management Committee meeting hosted by the Palo municipal government held last week, Sec. Angara highlighted that approximately 53 days of learning have already been disrupted this school year.
He warned that this figure is likely to increase, particularly in the northern regions, which remain vulnerable to further typhoons.
“If we add up those 53 days, it amounts to almost one-third of the school year. We anticipate that this number will surpass 53 days as Regions 1 and 2 in Northern Luzon are expected to experience two or three more typhoons in the coming weeks,” Angara stated.
The country, particularly in Luzon and Visayas areas, have been hit by series of typhoons, the latest of which is Super Typhoon ‘Pepito’ with Bicol Region feeling the brunt.
To mitigate the impact on students’ education, Angara emphasized the need for the department to enhance its efforts in delivering quality education despite adverse conditions, including weak internet connectivity and other logistical challenges.
“The department has to be creative in addressing these issues to ensure students continue learning even from home,” he added.
Prior to the event in Palo, Angara visited several schools in Tacloban, Palo, and Alangalang, engaging with school administrators, students, and Parent-Teacher Association officials.
At Leyte National High School, Angara was briefed on the shortage of classrooms, with the school requiring an additional 53 classrooms to accommodate its nearly 9,000 students from Grades 7 to 12. The shortage has led to the implementation of a double-shift system. “Addressing logistical gaps is a priority for the central office,” Angara noted.
In addition to LNHS, he visited St. Francis Elementary School, which is currently housing 547 learners in temporary learning spaces due to facility shortages.
At Alangalang National High School, Angara observed a Khan Academy demonstration as part of DepEd’s efforts to prepare for the upcoming Programme for International Student Assessment.
In Palo, he also toured the regional office and the Girls’ Education Center, which serves as the region’s only Alternative Learning System (ALS) hub.
This initiative, part of the “Better Life for Out-of-School Girls to Fight Poverty and Injustice in the Philippines” project, is a collaboration between DepEd, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
