School fire casts uncertainty over ALS program’s future

In the quiet hours of Jan. 10, 2024, Manga Central Elementary School became the main character of a heart-wrenching tale. At 4:41 a.m., an unforgiving fire tore through the school grounds, leading a trail of destruction that would forever alter the school landscape.

The fire which seemed to appear in a snap, swallowed the alternative learning system (ALS) office and several other buildings. Flames, dancing wildly, transformed the lively office into a raging inferno, casting a strange, eerie glow in the night sky that etched a core memory in each of the seer’s eyes.

A beacon of hope in the face of disaster, the Matanao Fire Station responded and immediately deployed their courageous firefighters to battle the merciless blaze. Their chances echoed frustration and despair—a relentless effort to extinguish the spreading fire. However, despite their best efforts, the ALS office tragically succumbed, falling prey to flames that greedily devoured it, leaving only ashes in their wake.

With the settling of embers and the breaking of dawn, Manga Central Elementary School found itself charred, standing like a shadow of what was once a vibrant center of education. The ALS office, fragile and fading, once housed learning resources and records, but now vanished and gone in the wind. The loss, immeasurable and irreplaceable, cast a solemn haze over the program’s future, leaving both teachers and learners in a state of confusion.

In the aftermath, questions loom about the resilience of Manga Central Elementary School. How can a school recover from such a catastrophic event? Within the sighs of the ALS teachers is the contemplation of the same pressing question that needs an answer—how can an educational program bounce back from the destruction of its essential resources?

Still, the teachers stood resilient and navigated the fog of the unknown, steadfastly keeping the fire of learning ablaze. Guided by purpose, they relocated the affected teachers, staff, and learners to a safer abode to safeguard the learning continuity; a guiding light of perseverance amidst adversity. The commitment of teachers, learners, and stakeholders resonated and echoed through the corridors of the institution—an unwavering promise to conquer the challenges ignited by the incident.

In the bustling hours of Jan. 10, 2024, Manga Central Elementary School wrote its heart-wrenching tale. All who traverse this place will cast their gaze upon it and will forever remember the unforgiving fire that tore through the school grounds. Yet, they will also recall the tale of how the victims rose from ashes. With burning passion fueled with dedication, resilience, and strength exhibited by the teachers and learners—the main character of the untold story that would forever alter the school’s history.

Jimabonie Mae O. Gomez,

ALS teacher,

Davao del Sur division