After running away from storm Kalmaegi, Gia Lai 'runs school' again so students can go to class early

After storm Kalmaegi (storm No. 13), hundreds of schools in Gia Lai had their roofs blown off and were severely damaged. The education sector, along with the armed forces, union members and youth, are making every effort to fix the situation, determined to bring students back to school on November 10.

Mobilizing youth to repair schools after storm Kalmaegi

On the morning of November 7, as soon as the sun had cleared after storm Kalmaegi (storm No. 13), hundreds of union members, youth and students in the old Quy Nhon City area (now in Gia Lai province) spread out to schools to help clean up and overcome the consequences.

Quy Nhon ward youth union members cleaned Hoa Sen Kindergarten on the morning of November 7.

PHOTO: VI VI

At Tran Hung Dao Secondary School and Hoa Sen Kindergarten, the youth force of Quy Nhon ward coordinated with militia, soldiers, police, students of Gia Lai Medical College and Quy Nhon University to quickly clean up tables and chairs, sweep mud, and re-erect fallen trees. In just one morning, the school yard was clean, classrooms were neatly arranged, ready for students to return. For classrooms with damaged roofs, the school will contact the authorities to take remedial measures.

"There are many damaged schools in the ward, we will take turns helping to clean them up so that students can go to school on schedule. Everyone is working very enthusiastically and eagerly, hoping that the students can return to class soon," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Vi Vi, Secretary of the Quy Nhon Ward Youth Union.

At Kim Dong Primary School (Quy Nhon Nam Ward), the damage was more severe: two rows of classrooms had their entire tiled roofs blown off, trees were broken, and desks, chairs, and learning equipment were severely damaged. The satellite school in Quy Hoa area also had its corrugated iron roof blown off.

Immediately after the storm, teachers, youth forces, soldiers, police, and militia joined hands to clean up and prepare to welcome students.

Military forces support overcoming the consequences of storm Kalmaegi at Kim Dong Primary School (Quy Nhon Nam Ward)

PHOTO: HOANG TRONG

"All 14 schools in the area were affected by storm Kalmaegi. We prioritized clearing secondary schools first, then primary schools and kindergartens. The goal is to get students back to school as quickly and safely as possible," said Ms. Bui Thi Thanh Loan, Secretary of the Youth Union of Quy Nhon Nam Ward.

The principal has the right to decide on appropriate study time.

According to Ms. Ho Thi Hong Tam, Principal of Kim Dong Primary School, the school has reported the damage to superiors for support in repairs. "If the repair of the classroom roof is not completed, we will proactively postpone the school schedule. The school year plan has made provisions for days off due to natural disasters. The top priority is the safety of the students," Ms. Tam said.

At Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted (Quy Nhon Ward), storm Kalmaegi caused an estimated damage of more than 2.5 billion VND: the dormitory roof and gymnasium collapsed, the garage fence collapsed, the laboratory area had tiles and glass doors blown away, and the large hall had its ceiling blown off. After the storm, the army and teachers urgently cleaned up, ensuring that classes could resume next week.

Leaders of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Education and Training of Gia Lai province inspected the damage at Nguyen Dieu High School.

PHOTO: KIM LOAN

On November 8 and 9, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Education and Training of Gia Lai province directly inspected damaged schools such as Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted, Nhon Hai Primary and Secondary School - Campus 3, Phuoc Thang Secondary School, Nguyen Dieu High School... Many schools had classrooms with damaged roofs and damaged equipment, which needed urgent repairs before welcoming students.

Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Lam Hai Giang requested localities to advance budget to urgently repair damaged items such as roofs, electrical systems, fallen trees; at the same time, mobilize forces to clean up, supplement desks, chairs, books, and teaching equipment so that students can return to class soon.

Classrooms of Nhon Hai Primary and Secondary School - Campus 3 (Quy Nhon Dong Ward, Gia Lai) were severely damaged.

PHOTO: KIM LOAN

Mr. Dang Van Phung, Deputy Director of the Gia Lai Department of Education and Training, said: "According to the plan, students in the whole province will return to school after the storm on Monday, November 10. However, in some areas where the water has not receded, or where classrooms are not safe, the principal has the right to decide on appropriate school hours. Schools with damaged roofs, no electricity or clean water are being urgently reinforced and repaired to ensure teaching and learning conditions."

According to Mr. Phung, the initial damage to the entire Gia Lai education sector caused by storm Kalmaegi is estimated at about 150 billion VND, of which about 50 billion VND is for high schools, the rest is for secondary schools and below. Because many areas still have no power or communication, the total damage cannot be counted yet.

Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Pham Anh Tuan requested localities to mobilize maximum forces and means to focus on overcoming the consequences of natural disasters. Priority should be given to repairing and cleaning up damaged educational facilities, ensuring school hygiene, and immediately supplementing teaching equipment, school supplies and textbooks for students. The goal is for all students in the area to return to school from November 10.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/sau-chay-bao-kalmaegi-gia-lai-lai-chay-truong-de-hoc-sinh-som-den-lop-185251109120318241.htm