How Learning Recovery Is Reshaping Education in the Visayas

Imagine waking up to find your school reduced to rubble—but your education still marching forward. That’s the reality for thousands of students across the Visayas after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu province. In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) is rolling out a bold learning recovery plan to ensure no student is left behind.

The Earthquake That Shook the Classroom

On the night of October 1, 2025, a powerful quake rattled Cebu and surrounding provinces, leaving behind more than cracked walls and broken windows. It disrupted the rhythm of learning for over 16,000 schools across the Visayas. While no student injuries were reported, the damage was extensive:

• 250 classrooms were damaged, including 34 deemed totally unusable

• Six water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities were compromised

• Affected areas included Canlaon City, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Iloilo, Bohol, Carcar City, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City, and Toledo City

The quake didn’t just shake buildings—it shook the foundation of daily education for thousands of learners and educators.

What Learning Recovery Means for Visayas Students

Learning recovery isn’t just about catching up on missed lessons. It’s a comprehensive strategy to rebuild, adapt, and future-proof education in disaster-prone areas. DepEd’s approach includes:

• Temporary learning spaces to ensure classes resume quickly

• Psychological support for students and teachers coping with trauma

• Adjusted academic calendars to recapture lost instructional days

• Deployment of mobile teaching units and blended learning tools

Undersecretary Malcolm Garma emphasized that the goal is not just to restore—but to improve. “We are making sure that the lost days for learning will be recaptured or recovered,” he said, while also calling on local governments and the Department of Public Works and Highways to help rebuild infrastructure.

Innovations Born from Crisis

Sometimes, adversity sparks innovation. DepEd is leveraging this moment to introduce long-term resilience programs that could redefine how education responds to emergencies:

• PlanSmart for Safe Schools: A digital tool that maps school vulnerabilities and guides disaster preparedness

• Pillar 1 Guidebook for Comprehensive School Safety: A practical manual for school leaders to implement safety protocols

• M7X Project: A multi-hazard preparedness initiative tailored to the Philippine context

• Upgraded Temporary Learning Spaces: Designed not just for shelter, but for effective teaching during crises

These aren’t just band-aid solutions—they’re blueprints for a more resilient education system.

Why the Visayas Needs a Unique Recovery Strategy

The Visayas region, with its archipelagic geography and frequent seismic activity, faces unique challenges:

• Remote islands often lack quick access to emergency aid

• Infrastructure varies widely, from urban centers to rural barangays

• Many schools are built in areas vulnerable to landslides or flooding

This means recovery plans must be flexible, localized, and community-driven. DepEd’s coordination with local government units (LGUs) is crucial to tailoring solutions that work on the ground.

Surprising Facts About Education in Emergencies

Here are a few eye-opening insights that highlight the importance of learning recovery:

• According to UNESCO, children in disaster zones are 30% more likely to drop out of school without targeted recovery efforts

• Temporary learning spaces, when well-designed, can outperform traditional classrooms in engagement and attendance

• Psychological first aid for teachers boosts classroom stability and student performance post-disaster

• Mobile learning units have increased access to education in conflict zones—and now, they’re being adapted for natural disasters

• The Philippines ranks among the top 5 countries most exposed to natural hazards, making educational resilience a national priority

These facts underscore why DepEd’s proactive stance matters—not just for the Visayas, but for the entire country.

How Communities Are Stepping Up

Recovery isn’t just a government job. Across the Visayas, communities are rallying to support their schools:

• Parents are volunteering to help clear debris and set up temporary classrooms

• Local businesses are donating supplies and internet access for blended learning

• NGOs are offering trauma counseling and teacher training

This grassroots energy is turning tragedy into a collective mission to rebuild stronger, safer, and smarter.

Learning Recovery in the Visayas

DepEd’s learning recovery plan for the Visayas is more than a response—it’s a transformation. By combining emergency relief with long-term resilience, the department is setting a precedent for how education can adapt to the realities of climate change and natural disasters.

The plan includes:

• Immediate assessment and repair of damaged facilities

• Deployment of temporary learning spaces with proper ventilation and sanitation

• Integration of digital tools for remote learning where physical classrooms are unavailable

• Training for teachers on trauma-informed instruction and emergency protocols

• Partnerships with LGUs, NGOs, and private sector for funding and logistics

This multi-pronged approach ensures that learning doesn’t just resume—it evolves.

Personal Insight

I remember visiting a school in Bohol years after the 2013 earthquake. The classrooms were rebuilt, but what stuck with me was the mural painted by students: “Learning never stops.” That spirit—of resilience, creativity, and community—is what makes the Visayas recovery story so powerful. It’s not just about rebuilding walls; it’s about rebuilding hope.

Conclusion

Learning recovery in the Visayas is a bold, necessary step toward safeguarding education in the face of disaster. With over 16,000 schools affected, DepEd’s strategy blends urgency with innovation, ensuring students continue to learn, grow, and thrive. What do you think makes a school truly resilient—and how can communities play a bigger role?