Flood still reaches school, students have to travel nearly 4km to go to school

Only a few days left until the new school year begins, however, the two schools in Phieng Nghe village, Chieng Den kindergarten and primary school, are still flooded.

Looking far away at the children swimming back and forth on a homemade bamboo raft in front of the school gate that had been collapsed by floodwaters, Mr. Luong Van Phong (Phieng Nghe village, Chieng Den commune) sadly said: "A few days ago, at the kindergarten, the water had receded below the school yard, but at the primary school, the water was still knee-deep, level with the classroom door."

Floodwaters flooded across the school. Photo: Khanh Linh

According to Mr. Phong, when the water receded at the kindergarten, some teachers came to help clean up the classrooms, desks, chairs, school supplies and push away mud to prepare for the new school year. However, the rain in recent days caused the water to continue to rise, and the two schools mentioned above were flooded again.

"If the water doesn't recede, I'll have to row the boat back to take my child to school in Chieng Xom, which is very difficult, more than 3km away," said Mr. Phong.

Mr. Tong Van Thang - Party cell secretary, head of Phieng Nghe village - said: "This is the biggest flood ever to happen in the village, the water has been rising since July 25 until now, causing heavy damage to both the daily life and production of the people".

According to Mr. Thang, for more than a month, crops, property, livestock and even houses have been submerged in flood water, and people here have had a very difficult time.

The village is vast and full of water. Photo: Khanh Linh

What people want most right now is for the water to recede so that the two schools can be dry for the new school year. However, the heavy rain a few days ago has caused the area to flood again.

"The new school year is almost here. I just feel sorry for the children who have to go to school far away. Their parents also have to take them there by bamboo raft," said Mr. Thang.

Speaking to reporters, Ms. Tran La Giang - Head of the Department of Education and Training of Son La City - said that regarding the two flooded schools in Phieng Nghe village, Chieng Den commune, Son La City, the Department plans to let preschool students study on-site if the kindergarten can continue. As for the primary school, there are 2 classes, 1 class will borrow the house of the kindergarten, 1 class will borrow the teacher's house near the school.

Teachers cleaned up the school after the flood but the water still reached the edge of the floor. Photo: GVCC

According to Ms. Giang, if the water still floods the classroom and heavy rain continues, the children may be arranged to study at Chieng Xom Primary School - 3.8km from Phieng Nghe.

"Currently, the primary school has 27 students in two grades, and the kindergarten has one class of 22 students. We are trying to ensure that students can still go to class on September 5," said Ms. Giang.

Source: https://laodong.vn/giao-duc/lu-van-ngap-ngang-truong-hoc-sinh-phai-di-hoc-nho-gan-4km-1387410.ldo