The United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated over PHP7.6 million worth of educational materials to schools severely hit by the recent typhoon in Bicol.

The US Embassy in Manila on Tuesday said this will support the continuity of learning for over 18,500 students in affected areas.

“We recognize that education is not just a means of learning, but a lifeline that helps restore hope and builds resilience,” USAID Philippines acting Education Office Director Yvette Malcioln said.

“We hope that these resources will help students and teachers recover and ensure that education can continue despite disruptions to learning caused by recent disasters.”

The aid package includes 18,600 learner kits and 8,884 early grade reading materials to help guarantee learning continuity for students in kindergarten through Grade 3.

The USAID also donated 528 teacher kits that will support teaching staff across 54 affected schools in the region.

USAID Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+) Chief of Party Ina Aquino handed over the educational materials to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and DepEd Region V Director Gilbert Sadsad at Bula Central School in Bula, Camarines Sur on Dec. 2.

The embassy said this donation demonstrates the US’ ongoing commitment to help communities rebuild and enable children to return to school despite the setbacks caused by typhoons and flooding.

“The Department faced a challenge in printing textbooks. USAID and the ABC+ project came to our aid by providing us with materials and books for the children. They did not skimp on the quality of their materials and their assistance to us,” he said.

“We are grateful to USAID and the ABC+ project.”

The educational materials are in addition to PHP336 million in assistance that the US has provided to support the Philippines’ disaster response following the consecutive tropical storms and typhoons that struck the country since Oct. 25. (PNA)