The education of the Elementary School children in Laguna, Philippines, after the typhoon season of 2009

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how the education of the elementary school children in Laguna, Philippines, was affected by the typhoon season of 2009. Three purposely selected elementary schools in Laguna, Philippines, were used for data collection and study. Interviews, surveys and observations were used for data gathering. Themes were generated from observation, interviews, surveys and literature. The ideas which had the same theme were grouped together and then analyzed, focusing on the research questions. The participants were 180 people which included 3 principals, 7 teachers, 28 parents and 142 elementary school children. The findings revealed that the typhoon season of 2009 had the following effects on the education of the elementary school children of Laguna: children were left homeless, had to go to other schools, and had to use makeshift classrooms. They lost everything, their home and school materials, became evacuees, and were traumatized because of their experiences through the flashfloods. Help was provided through the relief agencies and the government in terms of food, clothing, and school supplies. This study provides recommendations to barangay captains, principals, teachers, parents and future writers with focus on the safety of the children and their education in the early stages of life.