154 students did not return to school after the Lunar New Year holiday because their parents complained the school was too far away.

Since the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Snake (2015), 154 students from Quang Phuc No. 1 Primary School (Ba Don town, Quang Binh province) have not attended school because their parents are protesting the transfer from the satellite school to the main school campus.

Many parents oppose the relocation of their children's schools, so even though Tet (Lunar New Year) has passed, students still haven't returned to school - Photo: P. Phuong

Four days have passed since the Lunar New Year holiday, and 154 students from various grade levels at the Tan My branch of Quang Phuc No. 1 Primary School (Ba Don town, Quang Binh province) have yet to attend school because their parents are protesting the transfer from the branch school to the main school campus.

These two schools are about 2km apart.

Students don't go to school because it's too far.

According to many parents here, before Tet (Lunar New Year), the school announced that after Tet, students from the Tan My branch school would transfer to the main school campus. Classes would begin on February 3rd (the 6th day of the first lunar month).

In recent days, many students have been brought by their parents to the Tan My branch school of Quang Phuc No. 1 Primary School. However, the children did not attend classes but instead stood outside the gate because the branch school was closed.

The main school, located 2km away, also has many empty seats because as many as 154 students did not attend class.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nghia (68 years old, residing in Tan My residential area, Quang Phuc ward) said that she raised her two grandchildren while her son went to sea. However, in recent years, the fishing industry has almost completely failed, so the children's parents have had to find work as laborers. Due to her advanced age, she cannot take the grandchildren to school every day if they have to attend the main school, so she has kept them home from school for the past few days.

"If the school building is dilapidated, they should repair and upgrade it, because I'm old and can't travel far," Mrs. Nghia said.

The old school building was determined by the inspection unit to be dilapidated and unsafe for teaching and learning - Photo: QUOC NAM

Many other parents said that the people of Tan My are traditionally fishermen. Parents often leave their children with their grandparents. Therefore, the fact that children have to travel far to school is a major obstacle. That is why parents oppose the relocation of the school.

We will consider options for building a new school branch.

According to Mr. Phan Tien Lam, principal of Quang Phuc No. 1 Primary School, the closure of the Tan My branch school was carried out under the direction of Ba Don town and Quang Phuc ward. This was because the Tan My branch school did not ensure safety for teaching and learning activities. All 6 classes with 154 students must transfer to the main school campus to continue their studies.

Subsequently, the school also held three meetings to persuade parents to relocate. However, since February 3rd, parents have not brought their children to study at the main school site.

According to the leaders of the Ba Don town People's Committee, the Tan My branch school was built a long time ago and is dilapidated, located in a low-lying area. Recently, the town invited the Center for Construction Quality Inspection (under the Department of Construction) to conduct an inspection.

According to the inspection center's report, a section of the structure is unable to meet normal usage requirements and presents a localized hazard.

Therefore, the town authorities had to temporarily close the Tan My branch school.

"The town is balancing funds to rebuild this school because it cannot be repaired, but it may take a whole year. Therefore, to ensure the safety of students and teachers, we ask that people temporarily send their children to study at the main school," said a leader of Ba Don town.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/154-hoc-sinh-khong-den-truong-sau-tet-vi-phu-huynh-che-truong-qua-xa-20250206134618562.htm