Albay eyes transfer of schools near Mayon

MANILA, Philippines - The provincial government of Albay is in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) over plans to transfer schools located within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone near Mayon Volcano.

“The issue was already brought up when DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro visited the schools in the area last week,” DepEd Region V information officer Roy Bañas said in a phone interview.

Bañas said the final decision will be up to the provincial government, but stressed that the department will be in close coordination once the plan pushes through.

Reports said that 45 schools near the volcano will be covered by the transfer, seen by the provincial government as a long-term solution to prevent class suspensions whenever the volcano becomes active.

A number of schools suspended classes when residents inside the danger zone were asked to evacuate following the heightened activity of the volcano.

Some schools also had to suspend classes as these were used as evacuation centers.

Last week, Luistro led the turn-over of the temporary learning areas constructed in schools affected by Mayon’s  activity.

DepEd has allotted P18 million for the construction of 300 temporary learning spaces in the area.

Luistro stressed the need provide support to  teachers and students affected by the calamity.

“We are focused that the classes will not be affected,” he said. “We should not forget that the students and teachers are also evacuees.”

The secretary said that while the long-term objective is to create separate evacuation centers schools are always open for evacuees.

Luistro noted that teachers are using “local innovation and creativity” to improve the makeshift tents and temporary learning spaces, which are mostly made of plywood to create an enclosed space that will serve as classrooms.

During his trip to the region, the secretary also led the induction of new teachers in Sorsogon.

“Do not choose the best students: focus on the last, the least and lost. Choose the worst class, and give your all,” he told the teachers.

“Transform the lives of our students into achieving their dreams. To be a teacher requires you to change your lives as well,” he added.