Students in local government units affected by Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest are facing the dilemma of classroom shortage as they were converted into evacuation centers for internally displaced persons (IDPs) more than a week before the opening of classes.

Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Negros Occidental Schools Division, admitted that was their biggest challenge when classes start on June 16.

Arnaez said classrooms located within Kanlaon’s six-kilometer extended danger zone are insufficient to accommodate students.

Schools functioning as evacuation centers are left with fewer classrooms available for educational purposes, he said, stating the current situation is negatively impacting the learning process.

Based on DepEd’s policy, a school can only serve as an evacuation center for a maximum of 15 days to reduce educational disruption.

However, Arnaez said the policy has not been feasible, as evacuees have been residing in schools as they have no alternative housing since Kanlaon’s explosive eruption in December 2024.

Meanwhile, Arnaez said a shifting or scheduling system for classroom use will be implemented in schools serving as evacuation centers for IDPs.

Each grade level will have one day for face-to-face classes, while others will learn through modules or distance learning on the remaining days.

Arnaez said enrollment is currently underway in public schools, particularly La Castellana.

This will serve as the basis for determining the number of learning spaces needed for the opening of classes on June 16.

Arnaez noted that the Office of Civil Defense is sending tents to serve as alternative learning spaces, but he acknowledged that these are not conducive to student learning.

Canopies have been set up for makeshift classes, but they are hot and not suitable for effective learning.

These canopies can only accommodate about 14 students per tent, compared to the usual 30 to 40 in standard classrooms.

Arnaez said until the local government unit implements an alternative relocation plan, they will have to manage with the current learning arrangement.

Currently, La Castellana Elementary School (with 1,495 students enrolled last school year), Don Felix Robles Elementary School (1,768 students) and La Castellana National High School (5,660 students) are being utilized as evacuation centers.

The schools in La Castellana that have displaced students include Cabagna-an Elementary School with 296 students enrolled, Mananawin Elementary School with 145 students, and Old Fabrica Elementary School with 286 students, Arnaez noted.

Sag-ang Integrated School has 757 learners enrolled, while Biak na Bato Elementary School has 474 students, he added./JB, WDJ