Temporary learning in the cultural house, commune headquarters
In late July and early August, floods caused severe damage to many localities in Dien Bien province, in which the education sector was significantly affected. A series of schools were deeply flooded, and facilities were damaged.
On the eve of the new school year, teachers and students are racing to give students a complete and meaningful opening day of the new school year.
At Chieng So Boarding Ethnic Minority Secondary School, Muong Luan commune, floodwaters caused severe damage (August 1). Almost all facilities and teaching and learning equipment were completely damaged.
After the flood passed, the school had another crack about 20cm wide and up to 50m long, posing a potential risk of landslides.
Talking to Lao Dong, Mr. Nguyen Danh Hy - Principal of the school, said: "Because 6 2-storey classrooms are located near the foot of the hill with large cracks, to ensure absolute safety for students, we have to relocate the classrooms".
Accordingly, the school moved the classes to the headquarters of Muong Luan commune (old Chieng So commune headquarters). The local government also quickly repaired the cultural house, gymnasium, hall, and office of the Commune People's Committee into 6 classrooms.
"The school is urgently arranging tables and chairs, decorating classrooms so that the students can soon stabilize. It is expected that by noon on September 4, all preparations will be completed to be ready for the opening day," Mr. Hy informed.
Similarly, in Na Son commune, Bang Choc school of Na Phat Kindergarten is one of the places that was severely affected. The floodwaters rose to 3m, causing all teaching equipment, desks and chairs, toys, containers, water tanks and items for school children to eat and sleep... to be swept away or damaged.
Ms. Mai Thi Thu Huyen - Vice Principal of the school, said: "Immediately after the flood, seeing the serious situation, we discussed with the village chief to ask for people's opinions on temporarily borrowing the village cultural house for classrooms and received immediate approval".
To prepare for the new school year, all cadres and teachers have worked together to clean up mud, repair the cultural house, and help households in the village overcome difficulties.
To date, a classroom of more than 50 square meters has been completed for 16 students in the combined kindergarten class. Most of the learning and living equipment has to be purchased newly, thanks to connections from volunteer organizations and individuals.
Do not let teaching and learning be interrupted
Sharing the same difficulties, Suoi Lu 1, 2, 3 schools of Sao Mai Kindergarten (Na Son commune) were also flooded by stream water, causing complete flooding.
According to teacher Luong Thi Duong - Vice Principal, due to the heavy damage that could not be repaired in time, students at Suoi Lu 1, 2, 3 schools are having to study at Suoi Lu Kindergarten (Hsa Dung commune). However, the distance between the two schools is also very close, because this is an area where the two communes are adjacent to each other.
Faced with difficulties after floods, the Department of Education and Training of Dien Bien has promptly issued a document directing and requesting educational institutions to coordinate with local authorities to review and count the damage, and mobilize "4 on-site" forces to clean up schools and repair facilities.
According to the leader of the Department of Education and Training: For schools that are severely damaged and cannot be used, the Department has directed the arrangement of appropriate temporary school locations to ensure safety. The viewpoint is to absolutely not let teaching and learning be interrupted".
