Students displaced by Kanlaon’s unrest now 233,428

MANILA, Philippines — The ongoing activity of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island has disrupted classes, affecting up to 233,428 students in 465 public schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.

The moderately explosive eruption that occurred in Kanlaon on Thursday night generated a massive volume of ash, which blanketed up to 130 barangays in Negros Occidental.

“DepEd’s disaster risk reduction and management service is closely monitoring the impact of Kanlaon’s ongoing activity on schools, learners and personnel in affected towns and cities, the agency said.

Up to 465 schools in Negros Island Region have suspended in-person classes and shifted to alternative mode of learning to ensure continuity of education.

DepEd said that so far, no school is being used as an evacuation center.

“DepEd is closely monitoring families for possible evacuation and assessing schools that may be used as evacuation centers to ensure readiness and safety,” the agency said.

School administrators have been directed to ensure integration of alternative delivery modes in contingency planning as well as provision of transportation arrangements to support uninterrupted delivery of education for displaced learners.

“The agency reiterates its directives to schools division offices and school administrators to activate disaster risk reduction and management teams; implement contingency plans; secure learning materials, records and equipment, and preposition emergency supplies and essential resources,” DepEd said.