Teachers and students in storm-hit areas clean up schools while continuing to teach

GD&TĐ - After storm Kalmaegi, many schools in the eastern part of Dak Lak province were severely damaged. Without waiting for complete repair, teachers, parents and local forces joined hands to clean up and repair so that students could return to class soon and maintain their learning rhythm.

Walked more than 20km to report damage

According to initial statistics of the Department of Education and Training of Dak Lak , after the Kalmaegi storm, the entire education and training sector of the province suffered heavy damage with an estimated total value of nearly 17 billion VND. Of which, the block of schools under the People's Committees at the commune level suffered nearly 14 billion VND and the block of units under the Department suffered more than 2.6 billion VND. There was 1 person injured; 78 gates and fences collapsed and damaged; 1,060 trees were broken; 549 sets of tables and chairs were damaged. In particular, 121 sets of computers and 196 teaching equipment were damaged.

At Phu Mo Primary School (Phu Mo Commune), Typhoon Kalmaegi caused unprecedented damage. In just one night, floodwaters rose rapidly, causing the entire classroom to be submerged up to the ceiling, and many teaching facilities were damaged, including the IT room, the gate system, fences and other auxiliary items. The school, located in the most remote area of ​​the province, was suddenly devastated.

Mr. Le Ngoc Hoa - Principal of the school said that in the early morning of November 7, when the water had just receded, all staff and teachers were present to clean up mud, clean the classrooms, collect tables, chairs, and equipment that could still be used, to ensure safety before welcoming students back to school. However, what worried Mr. Hoa the most was that there was no phone signal to report the damage and request emergency assistance.

“We had to travel more than 20km through the forest to find phone signals and 4G waves to send reports to the local authorities and the Department of Education and Training. The delay in information could cause students to lack books, drinking water, or the school to not receive timely support. At that time, the only thing we could think of was how to provide the students with a safe place to study,” Mr. Hoa shared.

Immediately after receiving the information, many forces took action. Dak Lak Provincial Police provided emergency support with textbooks and school supplies; some schools in the West of the province sent additional drinking water and cleaning supplies; social organizations and parents joined hands to clean the school.

By November 10, the school had initially stabilized and 100 students from the main campus returned to class. Although books were not yet complete and desks and chairs were still temporary, the sound of studying could still be heard after the storm.

“The communication is not stable, sometimes we have to search for signal to send a message. But teachers and students are determined to clean and teach at the same time, so that the students’ program is not interrupted,” Mr. Hoa affirmed.

A school in the East of Dak Lak, where storm Kalmaegi swept through, is dealing with the aftermath. Photo: TT

Roofing, room repair, and maintaining teaching discipline

Similar difficulties occurred at Vo Nguyen Giap Secondary and High School in Xuan Canh Commune. The entire tiled roofs of many classrooms and offices were blown off, and trees in the campus were broken in large numbers. However, due to the scarcity of labor after the storm, teachers and parents had to directly participate in the repair.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Dung - Principal of the school, said: "We contacted many places to hire a team of roofers and dig up fallen trees, but everyone was busy repairing their own houses and could not come immediately. In the end, the teachers had to climb up to the roof to re-tile each piece, working while staying safe. We just hope to be in time to welcome students back to school."

The overall renovation will take more time and money. For now, students in some classes will be temporarily moved to the library and multi-purpose hall to ensure that teaching and learning are not interrupted.

According to Mr. Dung, the biggest difficulty now is not only the facilities but also the lack of electricity and water. “The whole school has 726 students and 37 staff and teachers. Without clean water and unsanitary classrooms, it is difficult to ensure safety. This is what we are most worried about when students return to class,” Mr. Dung said.

At Xuan Son Bac Primary and Secondary School (Dong Xuan Commune), all classrooms were flooded more than 2 meters deep, and many facilities were completely damaged. Trees in the campus fell down, and the roof of the parking lot was blown off. The school mobilized local forces and local people to clean up, disinfect, and collect usable equipment.

According to Principal Nguyen Van Thang, after the resumption of classes, many items still need to be repaired. Teachers are teaching and fixing at the same time, but everyone is trying their best for the students.

Photo: TT

Put student safety first

In the face of widespread damage, the Dak Lak Department of Education and Training has asked schools to only resume classes when absolute safety is ensured. Inspections of electricity, water systems, classrooms, and playgrounds must be carried out strictly before welcoming students.

Ms. Le Thi Thanh Xuan - Director of the Department of Education and Training, emphasized: "Do not ignore safety factors because of progress pressure. Students must go to school in conditions that fully ensure their health and learning environment."

In addition, the Department of Education and Training has mobilized its internal support network: Western schools share books, notebooks, drinking water, and school supplies with schools in the storm-affected Eastern areas.

At this time, according to Ms. Le Thi Thao - Head of General Education Department, Dak Lak Department of Education and Training, each book and set of supplies is precious. Sharing between schools not only helps reduce material damage, but also supports the spirit of teachers and students in storm-hit areas.

It can be said that, in the middle of the school yard littered with bricks and tiles, among the rows of trees still bearing the marks of the storm, the sound of students reading lessons resounds like a signal of revival. Despite many difficulties, the Dak Lak Education sector is making efforts to restore every day, so that the lights are on in the schools and the classes do not stop. Because in this place, what is preserved after the storm is not only the school roof, but also the students' trust in their teachers and the path to knowledge.

On the afternoon of November 12, information from the Office of the Department of Education and Training of Dak Lak said that the unit had just sent a document to the Office of the Provincial Party Committee; Office of the Provincial People's Committee; Departments, branches, Vietnam Fatherland Front of the province; People's Committees of communes and wards; educational institutions under the Department of Education and Training about not accepting congratulatory flowers on the occasion of Vietnam Teachers' Day.

Accordingly, in addition to implementing the Central's direction on practicing thrift, the Department of Education and Training emphasized: Due to the recent storms and floods in Dak Lak province, which caused significant damage to the people. Therefore, the Department announced: "Do not accept congratulatory flowers on the occasion of Vietnam Teachers' Day at the Department of Education and Training and educational institutions under the Department of Education and Training". At the same time, it is requested that units pay attention to and encourage teachers and educational institutions in difficult areas.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/thay-tro-vung-bao-vua-don-truong-vua-duy-tri-day-hoc-post756470.html