Fire-hit school holds classes in stairways

CEBU, Philippines — Some classes at Tipolo National High School are being held on the stairs and corridors and 87 students are crowding in one classroom in the aftermath of Thursday’s fire that hit the school.

In a visit to the school yesterday, The FREEMAN saw Grade 9 teacher Michelle Gabi holding class on the corridor with her students cramping on the stairs.

The school has a student population of 1,140 and more than half of that – around 700 to 800 – are victims of the fire themselves.

Nevertheless, the students and teachers said they are willing to sacrifice rather than be exposed to danger if they hold classes in the affected classrooms.

Of the 10 classrooms affected by the fire, two were completely destroyed by the fire while the rest incurred damages either in their ceilings, windows, and corridors, particularly those classrooms that directly faced the fire.

According to Miriam Morata, principal of Tipolo NHS, they decided to fuse the classes of Grades 7 and 8 students because they have the same major subjects.

“Instead of five sections, gitulo namo ka sections para maigo. Pero di gyud na siya totally maigo kay upat ra ka academic classrooms ang available. And then gi-cut off namo to 40 minutes per subject instead of one hour aron di mi maabtan og gabii,” Morata said.

“So magsugod mi og 6:30 a.m. para mahuman mi og 4:30 p.m. So Bale duha na na siya ka shift, morning and afternoon,” she added.

Morata also said that in one particular classroom, the number of students reached 87.

Morata went to the office of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Mandaue City yesterday to get documents the school will use to apply for electricity reconnection.

She also said that the school is accepting donations to repair the affected structures, particularly materials for the roofs and ceilings. This as she said it may take more time if they wait the budget from the Department of Education.

Yesterday morning, the teachers distributed school supplies to students from the donations received from private individuals and companies. — Zesusita C. Belarmino (FREEMAN)