Tejero school passes in quake drill retake

Teachers and pupils of the Tejero Elementary School finally passed in the earthquake drill conducted by the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council yesterday.

This assessment was disclosed after the school underwent a repeat in earthquake drill, as it failed in the previous drill held last week conducted among 38 public elementary schools in the city.

The teachers with their respective pupils took cover while the "quake" was in progress, and left their classrooms quickly but calmly when the "shaking" had stopped.

"Nibentaha gyud karon kung imong i-compare last week. Ang mga bata ug teachers last week lousy unya saba pero karon they are doing very well," according to CCDCC executive director Rolando Ardosa.

Ardosa said they commend the teachers and pupils for their swift action, adding that the lesson learned could be applied when disaster occurs.

During the drill, the students were grouped according to classes.

As soon as the break in the alarm was observed, the schoolteachers carefully led their respective pupils out of the three-story building to the school quadrangle, deemed safe place to serve as evacuation area. A headcount followed immediately, after which, teachers designated to call for assistance dialed the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, the city rescue team, and the Fire department to report on the "incident".

Representatives from the Fire department, the ERUF and the National Disaster Coordinating Council gave positive assessment on the drill, but suggested to avoid unnecessary noise in the evacuation procedure. They also pointed out that the first aid kit should be placed in an area visible and accessible to teachers and students. - Garry B. Lao/MEEV