disaster
Philippines earthquake on first day back at school affects 3 million students as rescue efforts underway
By Save the Children at ReliefWeb
· June 8, 2026
· 1 min read
.8 earthquake rocked parts of the southern Philippines, causing damage in a key coastal city and affecting about 3 million students in the province of Sarangani [1]. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. suspended school classes in affected areas while calling on residents in coastal areas to e
Key takeaway The country's Department of Education said that about 6,000 schools have been exposed to the earthquake, although this data could change as the full extent of the damage unfolds.
Why this matters
The earthquake's impact on education in the Philippines highlights the vulnerability of the country's school system to natural disasters. With about 6,000 schools exposed to the earthquake, the disruption to learning is significant, affecting approximately 3 million students in the province of Sarangani. The fact that the earthquake occurred on the first day of classes after the summer break exacerbates the situation, as students and teachers were likely unprepared for such an event. Save the Children's presence in the Philippines, with programs in education and humanitarian response, will be crucial in assessing the damage and providing support to affected children. The organization's efforts to ensure continuity of learning will be essential in minimizing the long-term impact of the disaster on the education sector. As rescue efforts continue, the focus will also be on rebuilding and restoring damaged schools, underscoring the need for disaster-resilient infrastructure in the country's education system.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 8, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? .8 earthquake rocked parts of the southern Philippines, causing damage in a key coastal city and affecting about 3 million students in the province of Sarangani [1]. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. suspended school classes in affected areas while calling on residents in coastal areas to e
When was this published? This article was first published on June 8, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Save the Children at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .