FOUR years after the government retook Marawi City from armed rebels, the Department of Education continues to rebuild schools and provide support programs for learners and teachers there.

Under the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Recovery Plan of DepEd, the agency has been monitoring and supervising the construction of schools that aims to cater to at least 9,000 students in the most affected area.

The department is a member of Task Force Bangon Marawi, the panel created by the government to assist in the rehabilitation of the city.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones thanked stakeholders who helped 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,” Briones said.

Deped Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua said that the siege in Marawi prompted the Department to formulate policies on education disruption due to calamities or crises. This paved the way for the conceptualization of the Public School of the Future Framework and the development of DepEd Commons and DepEd TV.

“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,” Pascua said.

Meanwhile, the DepEd Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Service provided thousands of response kits for teachers and learners, including hygiene kits to ensure their well-being. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services and school feeding programs were 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 said.