Only a handful of pupils return to classes in quake-hit La Guaira

In the quake-stricken coastal state of La Guaira, the new school year began with only seven children present at the John Paul II Diocesan Educational Unit, a school that can accommodate over twice that figure. The June 24 earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, left more than 6,500 dead and reduced hundreds of buildings to rubble, including many schools. As a result, 60 schools have been turned into shelters for thousands of displaced residents, and some lessons are now held under tarps.

Teachers like María Herrera are using classroom time to address students’ emotional needs, while the principal, Marco Antonio Espinoza, says the return to classes will be cautious and focused on well-being. Parents remain hesitant, citing concerns over structural safety, even as some families, such as industrial engineer Amni Nunez, decide to send their children back to resume normal life.