Road to Recovery: Classroom repairs in full swing at Surigao City Pilot School Post-Typhoon Odette

Twenty-three classrooms at Surigao City Pilot School are currently undergoing repairs after sustaining significant damage during Typhoon Odette.

The project, being carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is funded by the Department of Education (DepEd) with a budget allocation of approximately ₱18 million.

The repairs, expected to be completed by December 2024, aim to restore learning spaces that have been unusable since the typhoon struck.

With the ongoing construction, the school has implemented blended learning for Grade 5 and Grade 6 pupils, combining face-to-face and modular learning to address the shortage of functional classrooms.

"It’s been 2 years that the classrooms were left hanging, and we’ve had to adapt to ensure learning continuity for our pupils. The blended learning approach allows us to maximize available spaces while keeping pupils engaged in their education."

Teachers and pupils have embraced the temporary measures, although some parents have expressed concerns about the impact of blended learning on the quality of education.

The DPWH repair work involves structural reinforcements, roofing replacements, and upgrading classroom interiors to withstand future extreme weather events.

DepEd officials have assured the public that the allocated budget will cover the full scope of the project and that progress is being monitored to meet the December 2024 deadline.

"Once completed, the classrooms will be safer and more conducive to learning. This is part of our long-term goal of ensuring resilience against future calamities."

Surigao City Pilot School is among several schools in the region still recovering from the effects of Typhoon Odette. The repairs are part of a broader DepEd initiative to rebuild damaged educational infrastructure and support communities in their recovery efforts.