The Department of Education (DepEd) said Monday it has shifted to early recovery operations in schools affected by Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon, while keeping heightened disaster preparedness measures in place for communities at risk from the continuing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano.

The agency said rapid assessments conducted as of 10 July found damage to 81 classrooms in six regions, including 43 with minor damage, 20 with major damage and 18 that were totally destroyed. The figures remain subject to validation by engineering teams.

The assessment comes after Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon disrupted classes across 11 regions earlier this month, forcing schools to suspend in-person classes and implement flexible learning arrangements under DepEd's newly adopted Education in Emergencies (EiE) policy.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department is now focused on restoring safe learning environments while ensuring schools remain prepared for future hazards.

"As we help communities recover from Typhoon Inday, we are also strengthening preparedness in areas affected by Kanlaon so our schools can respond quickly, adapt effectively, and continue serving our learners," Angara said in a statement.

Under the recovery phase, school disaster risk reduction and management teams and Schools Division Offices have been tasked to conduct damage assessments, clear school grounds, and prepare interventions to restore affected classrooms and learning facilities.

The department said the efforts are guided by the Education in Emergencies policy, which institutionalizes measures to ensure learning continuity before, during and after disasters through flexible learning options, contingency planning, psychosocial support and school safety protocols.

DepEd also maintained heightened alert in the Negros Island Region as volcanic activity at Kanlaon continues.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Monday kept Kanlaon under Alert Level 2, indicating moderate unrest. 

The agency recorded eight volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours and reiterated that entry into the volcano's four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone remains prohibited because of the risk of sudden steam-driven, or phreatic, eruptions.

In response, DepEd directed Schools Division Offices to continuously assess school conditions, update contingency plans, coordinate with local disaster management councils, preposition emergency supplies, secure learning materials and records, and identify schools that could serve as evacuation centers while ensuring alternative learning arrangements can be activated if needed.

The Education in Emergencies policy was issued ahead of the opening of School Year 2026-2027 to strengthen the education sector's disaster preparedness following repeated weather-related class disruptions and natural hazards affecting schools nationwide.

DepEd said it would continue coordinating with PHIVOLCS, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Office of Civil Defense and local government units to support recovery efforts and ensure uninterrupted learning as communities face both severe weather and volcanic threats.