Teachers, parents clean muddy classrooms ahead of school opening

Several teachers, parents and school authorities joined hands in cleaning operations in schools that are still submerged in flood waters and covered in thick mud following the typhoons.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," some classrooms at the Polo National High School remain flooded.

Classes in public schools for 2023-2024 will begin on August 29.

“Nilalagay muna namin sa computer laboratory science lab ‘yung mga estudyante na supposed to be gagamitin itong dalawang room. Ang city govt ng Valenzuela ay ‘di naman kami pinapabayaan,” school principal Eddie Alarte said.

The classroom that fits only 45 students will not hold 57 to accommodate those who will be displaced from rooms that could not be used.  School authorities said they are eyeing the shifting of classes to avoid overcrowding.

“Nagkaroon kami ng schedule kung saan ang ilang studyante ay papasok lamang ng 6 to 10 yung pang umaga tapos yung pang hapon from 2 to 6 para yung init between 10 to 2 nasa bahay sila. ‘Yun po ang advantage natutunan nakuha natin sa pandemic,” Alarte said.

In  Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, teachers and parents also face the same challenge of cleaning classrooms of Pantay Tamurong Elementary School due to the damage left by the flood.

The local police has also mobilized volunteers to help in the clean-up.

The Department of Education (DepEd) had said it has allocated P2 billion for the repair of around 353 schools damaged by typhoons Egay and Falcon.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News