MOST public schools in Soccsksargen are cleared to resume operations following the June 8 earthquake in parts of Mindanao, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday.

Under the Learning Continuity in Emergencies framework, schools in Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Sultan Kudarat have transitioned to “Hayo,” where learning activities may resume when stakeholders are deemed safe, as of June 15.

Meanwhile, schools in General Santos City and Sarangani remain under “Hinto,” or the temporary suspension of academic learning, until further notice as they await local government advisories and continue recovery efforts.

In a statement, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said DepEd’s response is guided by safety, readiness and well-being.

“Sa ganitong sitwasyon, alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, hindi lang tanong kung kailan babalik ang klase. Ang mas mahalaga ay ligtas ba ang paaralan, handa na ba ang learners at teachers, at may sapat ba silang suporta (In this situation, in line with the directive of President Marcos, the question is not merely when to go back to classes. What’s important is are the schools safe, are the learners and teachers prepared, and do they have adequate support)?” Angara said.

The DepEd said school operations will resume while it continues safety inspections, learning continuity measures, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services for affected learners, teachers and school personnel.

“Kailangan sabay ang structural safety, learning continuity, at psychosocial support para makabangon ang schools nang maayos (Structural safety, learning continuity, and psychosocial support must be synchronized for schools to recover properly),” he added.

Based on DepEd monitoring as of June 16, the earthquake affected 142,821 learners and 7,406 personnel.

A total of 1,396 schools reported damaged classrooms, including 1,950 totally damaged classrooms, 2,098 classrooms with major damage, and 6,065 classrooms with minor damage.

DepEd also reported that 6,748 schools have resumed classes, while 2,342 schools have active class suspensions.

About 115 of 119 schools had been inspected in General Santos City, with 76 schools cleared for occupancy.

School suspension will remain subject to local government advisories and ongoing recovery efforts.

To support safe recovery, the DepEd is conducting structural safety inspections with local government units, Department of Public Works and Highways and local engineering offices.

About PHP352.3 million has been allocated for cleanup, clearing operations and minor repairs.

To ensure learning continuity, the DepEd will provide 109 Learning Continuity Spaces to affected areas, alongside the provision of mental health and psychosocial support.

It has also mobilized 671 MHPSS facilitators in Soccsksargen for the earthquake response; while 2,972 DepEd personnel have been trained on MHPSS, including Psychosocial First Aid as of June 16.

Well-being checks, Kumustahan sessions, Psychosocial First Aid and psychosocial support activities are being conducted in affected schools.

About 1,160 teaching and non-teaching personnel participated in the Kumustahan sessions in Koronadal City, with the two-day MHPSS activities reaching an estimated 35,000 learners. (PNA)