June 4, 2021 – The Department of Education (DepEd) continues its efforts in rebuilding schools and providing support programs for learners and teachers in Marawi City, four years after the government successfully retook the city from armed rebels.

Under the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Recovery Plan of DepEd and as a member of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, the Department has been monitoring and supervising the construction of schools for children that aims to cater to at least 9,000 students in the most affected area.

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones expressed her gratitude to stakeholders who contributed to the rehabilitation efforts to help the city get back on its feet.

“To all the regional offices who contributed financially, materially, and physically to the rehabilitation of Marawi, that is how it should be. When a family encounters danger or threats, then everybody pitches in. These activities I believe, have helped speed up the recovery of the people of Marawi from the trauma. The DepEd family helped out in big and small ways,” Secretary Briones said.

Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua cited that the Marawi experience prompted the Department to formulate salient policies on education disruption due to calamities or crises. This paved the way for the conceptualization of the Public School of the Future (PSOF) Framework and the development of DepEd Commons and DepEd TV.

Usec. Pascua also emphasized that the Department continues to champion schools as zones of peace and that no armed individuals or groups are allowed in its premises. The policy also instructs schools to accept all internally displaced learners in other schools even without credentials.

“DepEd’s Marawi response and its efforts in the development and construction of schools in the different affected sites and rehabilitation areas are a testament of the Department’s commitment to ensure the continuity of education even in times of conflict and beyond,” Usec. Pascua said.

Meanwhile, the DepEd Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Service (DRRMS) dedicated its resources and efforts to provide thousands of response kits for teachers and learners, including hygiene kits to ensure their well-being. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) and school feeding programs are conducted in various temporary learning spaces.

“We started setting up temporary learning spaces or classrooms in various accommodating schools and resettlement sites for we have been aware that learning continuity is a must even during the aftermath of a crisis or emergency,” DRRMS Director Ronilda Co noted.

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