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Education in Cali

In Cali, 214 public education sites report earthquake impacts

Editorial illustration for “In Cali, 214 public education sites report earthquake impacts”
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Updated August 14, 2026 at 3:56 p.m. Colombia time

After initial reports of impacts at public education sites, Cali’s mayor’s office detailed the timetable and conditions for a gradual return to classes.

214 sites reported impacts

The count covers Cali’s public education sites. It separates reports of impacts from technical conclusions about habitability.

99 evaluations and 63 habitable sites

Among the sites evaluated, 63 were considered habitable. The post does not detail the status of the other 36 evaluated sites and does not establish that all are uninhabitable.

An August 24 target

The 63 habitable sites are being prepared to receive students on August 24. The announcement does not apply that date to all 338 public sites.

Several ways to continue classes

Depending on the site, the city plans in-person or remote classes or printed worksheets. The school meal programme is to continue.

August 18–21 to prepare the return

Following a meeting with 92 headteachers on August 12, a resolution establishes an institutional development week from August 18 to 21. Classes are to resume from August 24 only at authorised sites, in person, remotely or in hybrid form depending on safety conditions. The school year is to end on December 4.

Inspections and school services

El Tiempo attributes to the city an update covering 89 public schools across 214 sites with different levels of damage, with ten expert teams conducting inspections. The school meal programme, transport and cleaning are to be reorganised. The source also mentions 2,700 food-aid packages distributed on August 11 and 12 and says distribution will continue.

A local count distinct from the national total

The same article gives a Cali count with an 11:30 a.m. cutoff of 110 deaths and 1,410 injured. This municipal scope remains separate from UNGRD’s national update.

Update history

Sources and transparency