The Department of Education (DepEd) will conduct psychological first aid sessions for students affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on the opening day of classes, Monday, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations Jocelyn Andaya said on Tuesday, June 9.
In an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Andaya emphasized the initiative aims to help children cope with the emotional and psychological impact of the strong quake.
“Pagkatapos ng week na ito, magkakaroon po tayo ng psychological first aid sa mga bata… dahil ang ibang bata nawitness nila ang nangyayari at nagkakaroon ng trauma,” Andaya said on Tuesday.
“Kailangan natin tulungan sila, paano i-process ito,” she added.
Andaya said that after the psychological support activities, the department will gradually distribute learning worksheets to students while damaged classrooms are being repaired to ensure the continuity of education.
However, she emphasized that students will not yet be allowed to return to schools or be given academic tasks for the time being, following the directive of Education Secretary Sonny Angara.
According to Andaya, schools must first undergo evaluation and damage assessment to determine whether they are safe for occupancy before classes can resume.
Meanwhile, Andaya said the most severe damage to school facilities was reported in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), particularly in the towns of Maasim, San Juan, and Alabel in Sarangani province, which were among the “hardest-hit areas.“
She noted that a total of 161 schools were affected by the earthquake. Of these, 523 classrooms sustained minor damage, 204 suffered major damage, and 105 schools were totally destroyed.
“Ibig sabihin po nito ihihinto pagpunta muna sa paaralan ang ating mga estudyante at mga guro upang tingnan ang ating mga eskwelahan ng ating mga engineers at ang NDRRM team natin,” Andaya said in an interview with DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan.
She added that classes remain suspended in affected areas across six regions until further notice.
Once authorities determine that schools are safe, DepEd will begin implementing psychological first aid programs and provide learning materials to students.
On Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in affected areas across Mindanao until further notice, citing the safety and well-being of students.
