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Academic sector, vital vs. climate change education: DepEd-DRRMS

By Stephanie Sevillano

December 9, 2022, 10:51 pm

<p><em>(PNA file photo)</em></p>

(PNA file photo)

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) said Friday learners, teachers, and other personnel in the education sector may fulfill significant roles in the fight against the effects of climate change.

In a statement, the DepEd - Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said addressing climate change entails a demand for collective action, including raising awareness of the issue.

“Our small actions, when united, can make a long way in our fight against climate change,” DepEd-DRRMS Director Ronilda Co said, referring to the DepEd’s initiative for the 6th National Climate Change Conference (NCCC).

“In collaboration with the UPLB (UP Los Banos) - University Library ALIVErary BOOKS Program, the DepEd DRRMS conducted the 6th NCCC with the theme ‘Responding to Climate Change: Role of Education towards Climate Change Action’ to provide a space for knowledge-sharing and learning platforms on the science of climate change, challenges, and opportunities,” the DRRMS said.

Co noted that achieving and maintaining awareness among learners and other groups within the education sector through conferences such as this are crucial, considering the Philippine setting where natural calamities often cause disruptions and damage to schools.

“We believe that by encouraging (the) participation of learners and DepEd personnel in climate change adaptation and mitigation, we can have a deeper grasp of climate change, especially the challenges and opportunities confronting us,” she added.

With this in mind, the DepEd-DRRMS conducted the climate change conference on November 23 to 25 where webinars, action stories, and dialogues with climate change experts were highlighted.

Since the reopening of face-to-face classes on August 22, many schools have implemented class suspension due to inclement weather, flooding, and even earthquakes, including the destructive effects of a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Abra and Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, among others.

Meanwhile, the DepEd ordered the building of temporary learning facilities and used alternative class delivery modes for affected areas.

The DepEd earlier said it has begun its initial consultation with experts to build disaster-resilient schools, as well as hopes for increased quick response funds for school rehabilitation and repairs, whenever destroyed by natural calamities. (PNA)

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