On November 20, Lao Dong Newspaper reporters visited Phuc Khanh Primary and Secondary School No. 1 (Bao Yen District, Lao Cai Province) - where the devastating flash flood in early September killed 13 students. Currently, the school has 320 students, including 180 elementary school students and 140 middle school students.
According to the records, throughout the school yard and classrooms, there were loud laughter and groups of friends playing.
Arriving at class 2A, the reporter met Hoang Gia Bao (Lang Nu) who is studying there. Currently, both his parents died in the flash flood.
According to teachers, Bao used to be very active, dynamic, and intelligent. Now he still studies very well, but is more shy and quiet than before.
Teacher Nguyen Van Phong (homeroom teacher of class 2A) said that after the storm, many students at the school could no longer go to class. Teachers at the school were also deeply saddened by these losses.
“For students who have returned to school, we try to make up for the knowledge they missed during the break. Along with that, it is important to stabilize their psychology,” said Mr. Phong.
According to teacher Nguyen Van Phong, Hoang Gia Bao's leg injury has not yet healed, he can only walk with a limp, and must be supported or use crutches to walk far. During recess and physical education classes, teachers come to impart knowledge to help him keep up with the school's learning progress and that of his classmates.
In the classroom with dozens of students, the little girl from Lang Nu - Mong Hoang Thao Ngoc - with a small, slim figure appeared.
After 50 days of fighting death to regain her life, Ngoc was discharged from the hospital and returned to school to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor.
Mr. Do Manh Hai - Vice Principal of Phuc Khanh Primary and Secondary School No. 1 - said that after the storm and flood, the school located in Lang Nu for first and second graders was no longer safe, so the school decided to move all students to boarding school No. 1 Phuc Khanh, located 5 km from Lang Nu.
Mr. Hai added that when welcoming Lang Nu students to school, the pressure on the board of directors was great as there were only 5 boarding rooms, including 2 boys and 3 girls. Feeding the boarding students was also divided into 2 shifts due to the larger number than before.
In addition, the school also had to focus on calling for and mobilizing blankets, pillows, and beds for the children. Then, requisition art and music classrooms to make bedrooms for the children. Because the first and second graders are still too young and have just left their families, teachers are needed to take care of personal hygiene and maintain discipline.
Mr. Pham Duc Vinh - Principal of Phuc Khanh Primary and Secondary School No. 1 - also said: "At first, we had a hard time, especially in encouraging and comforting to stabilize the mood of children whose parents died during the storm and flood. Many children were very good students, but due to the great psychological shock, they became timid, shy and somewhat more quiet."
According to Mr. Vinh, the teachers at the school all have boundless love for their students, especially those who lost their loved ones and homes in Lang Nu. Everyone is struggling to find ways to help the future green shoots integrate into life after the tragedy.
