Department of Education schools in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, affected by the Kanlaon Volcano’s eruptions are all set for the opening of classes on June 16, Ian Arnold Arnaez, DepEd Negros Occidental Schools Division spokesperson, assured on Wednesday, June 4.
“Despite the challenges being faced due to the impacts of the eruptions, La Castellana schools and the Schools Division Office of Negros Occidental have been working doubly hard to find means to address the current situation,” he said.
Efforts have been made to mobilize various partners in order to ensure the smooth opening of classes, Arnaiz said.
Three schools in La Castellana are still being used as evacuation centers, while three are located in the 6-kilometer danger zone, he said.
The Office of Civil Defense has ordered the evacuation of residents out of the 6-kilometrer danger zone.
All these schools have an enrolment of about 8,923 affected learners either because they have been displaced from their homes or are learners from schools used as evacuation centers, Arnaez said.
To address the lack of classrooms because of the evacuation, Negros Occidental education leaders have talked with local government officials and other partners for the possible provision of additional temporary learning spaces, he said.
The Negros Occidental Schools Division is also procuring learners and teachers kits for distribution, Arnaez said.
“This is on top of the learner’s and teachers kits already prepositioned by partners like ABC+,” he added.
The division office is also inviting other partners to provide assistance to ensure the continuity of education of learners in La Castellana, Arnaez said.*