More damaged schools to delay start of classes – DepEd

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 1,002 public schools nationwide cannot push through with the opening of classes on Monday due to damage and other adverse impacts of Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon that hit the country last week, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

“The 1,002 schools mentioned will postpone their openings on July 29, for clean-up and rehabilitation activities. Flood-free schools with minimal damage will open as scheduled to avoid disrupting the education of our young learners,” the DepEd said in a statement.

The number increased from 738 public schools that cannot open classes announced by DepEd on Friday.

Based on the agency’s breakdown, as of 6:18 p.m. yesterday, a total of 331 schools in the Ilocos region cannot push through with the opening of classes on Monday, “but will open not later than Aug. 5.”

In Central Luzon, the DepEd said a total of 442 affected schools will open their classes “after July 29” though no specific date was provided.

Meanwhile, 255 schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) likewise cannot push through with their classes on Monday. The DepEd said the affected schools in the cities of Malabon, Pasig, Marikina, Valenzuela, Navotas, Manila, San Juan and Quezon City will instead open their classes on Aug. 5.

In Soccsksargen, four schools located near Liguasan Marsh in Cotabato will have to move the opening of classes also to Aug. 5.

19 million students enrolled

In a separate data released yesterday afternoon, the DepEd said there are a total of 18,996,365 students nationwide enrolled in public and private elementary, junior high school, senior high school and alternative learning system (ALS) for SY 2024-2025.

The breakdown showed that 16,561,059 students are enrolled in public schools while 2,207,941 students are enrolled in private schools. Meanwhile 23,864 students are enrolled in state and local universities and colleges and 203,501 students enrolled under the ALS.

Per education level, elementary schools have the most number of enrollees with 10,341,997 students, followed by junior high schools with 5,779,363, senior high schools with 2,671,504 and the ALS with 203,501.

As of Thursday, the DepEd estimated the total cost of damaged school infrastructure at P600 million with a total estimated cost of reconstruction at around P630 million.