Empty seats as schools reopen in Venezuela's quake-hit Guaira

Schools in Venezuela's coastal state of La Guaira reopened on Tuesday, a day after the new academic year began, but many remained empty as parents kept their children at home due to fears of additional devastating earthquakes. The state, which suffered a destructive pair of earthquakes on June 24 that resulted in over 6,500 fatalities, has seen numerous schools severely damaged or converted into shelters for the displaced.

Despite the challenges, a few schools have managed to reopen, with teachers focusing on addressing the emotional trauma experienced by both students and staff. At one school, a teacher led a group discussion with 14 students on coping with their emotions, acknowledging their heightened sensitivity to the recent traumatic events.

In another instance, only seven students enrolled for the new school year at John Paul II Diocesan Educational Unit, one of the few open institutions in the port city. The principal emphasized that the return to classes would be a gradual process, primarily centered on the emotional well-being of everyone involved. Some parents, like Amni Nunez, a 40-year-old industrial engineer, decided to send their children back to school despite their concerns, believing that life must continue despite the new reality.