Board of Education student representative Jude S. Burgos said students are eager to return to campus, stressing that schools provide both structure and refuge following the disruption caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
“I do feel like classes should reopen,” Burgos said. “I personally feel that, especially like what I’ve seen on the news. I’ve heard that [the Division of Youth Services] has recently gotten nine additional youth part of their program. And I think that’s kind of like really troubling, especially in these times. Sometimes they think that school is the only option for them to be free. And that’s why I think that school should reopen as soon as possible or whenever it’s available to.”
Education Commission Lawrence F. Camacho said the Public School System must first reach a clear decision point on when campuses can safely resume operations, noting that cleanup and repairs are still ongoing across the system.
“We have to have a set date,” Camacho told the board. “We cannot just continue to report that we’re working and we’re working. We have to say we’re working toward a particular date and time and if we can achieve to that date, we’ll open. If we can’t, then we’ll say we need more time.”
He said his own conversations with students reflect mixed sentiments.
“I was driving around and I came across a couple of boys walking in the streets with their water guns. And I asked them, ‘Are you guys ready to go to school?’ They did not know who I was,” he said. “They said yes because they want to see their friends, they miss their teacher.”
“But when I go into the villages and they know me, half of them would say no, and the other half would say maybe we should,” he added.
BOE teacher representative Dora B. Miura then asked Camacho whether PSS campuses are actually safe after the onslaught of Sinlaku.
“It just didn't feel safe at every point on campus. It looks a lot better, but I was just wondering about the definition of safety.”
In particular, she pointed to the damage sustained by Saipan Southern High School.
“I see at Southern, which is the tin roofs on our walkways. And they're all kind of furled and they're very tenuous in Southern. It's kind of windy and it makes me wonder if it's going to fly off at any moment.”
Camacho admitted that there's still a lot of work to be done and then asked each schools’ principals to pinpoint the damages for the safety of everyone.
“Debris is off the grounds and all that, but there's still some hazards. What I'd ask the principals to do is to make sure either they mark off or just inform the teachers and the staff that are there on campuses to work around those, right? I mean, safety is still a priority.”
Tinian BOE member Antonio L. Borja, for his part, underscored the importance of school-based services, especially after the storm.
“Some of the kids even depend on the food that our school provides,” he said. “It provides them protection.”
At the same time, Borja noted that some families are still unable to prepare their children for school due to damaged homes and lack of utilities.
BOE vice chair Anthony Dela Cruz Barcinas raised concerns about conditions on Rota, particularly mold issues in classrooms that could affect reopening timelines there.
Board member Kodep Ogumoro said beyond infrastructure, the system must also be ready to address students’ emotional and health needs.
He emphasized the importance of ramping up mental health and wellness support services for students returning after the disaster.
Camacho said PSS is also working to relocate shelterees currently housed in campuses so schools can be cleaned and prepared for reopening.
Earlier in the meeting, the education commissioner said PSS is still grappling with widespread damage across campuses.
Out of 20 schools, only 11 currently have running water and just two—both in Rota—have electricity. Two campuses, Da’ok Elementary School and Koblerville Elementary School, were deemed total losses, while eight others sustained major damage. The rest require varying levels of repair.
Head Start centers were also impacted, with limited water and power across sites. Some campuses remain occupied by displaced residents, slowing rehabilitation work.
Even as uncertainty remains over the resumption of classes, officials are moving forward with graduation and promotion ceremonies.
Camacho said a working group has been formed and the goal is to proceed with graduations before the planned June 10 end of the school year.
Alternative venues are being secured, including the American Memorial Park, in case campuses are not ready in time.
Board member Donna Flores, meanwhile, flagged concerns about SPED instruction continuing, noting that its implementation is heavily dependent on technology.
With many schools still lacking power and stable connectivity, Flores said the system may face challenges rolling out or continuing SPED under current conditions, as it’s heavily dependent on online learning and technology.
Private school rep John Blanco, for his part, said almost all private schools have reopened, save for Grace Christian Academy, Golden Harvest International School, and Mt. Carmel School, where he is president.
“The last three will be opening on May 4. As far as in the damages or whatnot, I don't have anything to say. We took a big hit. So, we're doing a lot of repairs on that.”
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