Philippines Earthquake Disrupts School for 3 Million Students
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked parts of the southern Philippines, killing at least 32 people, injuring dozens more and causing damage in a key coastal city in the province of Sarangani. More than 3 million students have been impacted. In response, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr suspended school classes in affected areas while calling on residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately after a tsunami warning was issued.
The country’s Department of Education said that about 6,000 schools are in areas impacted by the earthquake, although this data could change as the full extent of the damage unfolds. Contd
Faisah Ali, Humanitarian Manager, Save the Children, Philippines said, “Today marked the opening of classes and schools across the Philippines after the country’s summer break, but the Mindanao earthquake has put a terrifying and sudden stop to that. While the full extent of the damage is not yet known, our teams are reporting that the earthquake has destroyed classrooms and schools and forced classes to shut across many parts of the island.
Children are scared, and their lives and learning have been disrupted. We’re assessing the situation on the ground, where Save the Children already has a presence, and will work to reach affected children as soon as possible, including to ensure that learning continues even after an event like this.”
