Puerto Rico Has Reopened 20% Of Public Schools After Earthquakes

Around 80% of the public schools in Puerto Rico remained closed Tuesday as the island continues to grapple with the damage done by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake earlier this month.

The Associated Press reports engineers deemed just 177 of the island's 856 public schools safe to open. That's left around 240,000 students unable to return to class. School has already been pushed back for most students by nearly three weeks.

In a month's time, over 500 earthquakes have shaken the island, damaging countless buildings and leaving residents afraid to go back into their homes.

Gov. Wanda Vázquez says her administration is working to find a way to get thousands of students back in school.

The island's education secretary says an additional 51 schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday.

Additional reporting by Danica Coto of the Associated Press.