The capital's only island commune wants high school students not to have to 'cross the river' to go to school

Minh Chau is the only island commune in Hanoi. Every day, nearly 60 teachers and more than 400 high school students have to go to school by ferry across the river. The commune leaders proposed building a school so that the children of the commune can study on the spot.

Right after the opening ceremony, on the afternoon of September 5, a working delegation from the Hanoi Department of Education and Training led by Director Tran The Cuong worked and presented gifts to schools in Minh Chau island commune, an isolated commune located at the confluence of the Red River - Da River - Lo River, with a population of about 6,600 people.

Students of Minh Chau island commune

PHOTO: VAN ANH

At the meeting, Mr. Bui Thai Son, Chairman of Minh Chau Commune People's Committee, said that after rearranging the administrative unit, the commune re-established 3 kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools with a total of about 1,200 students.

Currently, there is no high school, so every year about 400 junior high school graduates have to go to school in other areas by ferry across the river, which poses a potential safety risk, especially during the rainy and stormy season.

From this reality, the People's Committee of Minh Chau commune has developed an investment project to build Minh Chau Secondary and High School to both meet the needs of on-site learning, optimize investment resources, and minimize the risk of insecurity for students.

According to Mr. Son, although the government and people of Minh Chau commune have made many efforts, the education and training work of the commune still faces many difficulties and limitations. Currently, only Minh Chau Primary School meets the standards, but many items have been degraded, and some rooms do not have the right area due to the lack of appropriate functional renovation.

With more than 400 students and 58 teachers having to take a ferry across the river to go to school, preliminary statistics estimate the total cost of ferry travel at more than 1.7 billion VND/school year.

Director of Hanoi Department of Education and Training talks with students of Minh Chau Island Commune

PHOTO: LN

Therefore, the leaders of Minh Chau commune proposed that the Hanoi Department of Education and Training consider and propose that the city support the cost of ferrying students and teachers across the river to reduce the burden on students' families and provide more motivation for teachers to work with peace of mind.

Apply preferential policies for cadres, teachers and employees working in the commune according to Decree No. 76/2019/ND-CP such as attraction allowance equal to 70% of current salary plus leadership position allowance, seniority allowance exceeding the framework (if any) within 5 years, and other benefits according to regulations.

Director of the Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong agreed with the leaders of Minh Chau commune on the proposals and said he would report to the City People's Committee on the policy of building a high school in Minh Chau commune; on investing in building school facilities towards national standards; on recruiting teachers; on the proposal to support ferry travel costs for students and teachers...

Leaders of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training presented many practical and valuable gifts to schools in Minh Chau island commune.

PHOTO: LN

Director Tran The Cuong requested commune leaders and schools to pay attention to effectively implementing the city's Resolution on supporting boarding meals for primary school students to ensure quality and safety right from the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

Mr. Cuong hopes that the commune leaders will continue to pay attention and prioritize investment resources for education, creating the best learning conditions for students, and affirms that the Hanoi Department of Education and Training will always accompany the commune government in paying attention and investing in education.

On this occasion, the delegation of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training presented gifts to the schools and students of 3 kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools in Minh Chau commune, including 4 televisions, 5,000 notebooks, and 2,000 pens for students...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xa-dao-duy-nhat-cua-thu-do-mong-muon-hoc-sinh-thpt-khong-phai-bang-song-di-hoc-185250906130135775.htm