Proactive restoration of school facilities to ensure teaching activities after natural disasters

The impacts of recent storms No. 10 and 11 in Ha Giang 1 and Ha Giang 2 wards caused severe flooding in many schools, resulting in heavy damage to facilities. After two weeks, thanks to the proactive efforts of teachers, parents, and the support of local authorities and benefactors, the schools have basically restored their facilities and stabilized classroom activities.

After nearly two weeks of recovery from the floods, students of Quang Trung Primary School (Ha Giang 2 Ward) have returned to classes at the former Ha Giang Specialized High School, according to the plan approved by the People’s Committee of Ha Giang 2 Ward.

After eight days of temporary suspension, the learning rhythm quickly returned to normal. Classes, recess periods, and semi-boarding activities resumed as usual.

In the new classroom setting, desks, boards, and televisions have been neatly rearranged. Each lesson is interspersed with review sessions to help students keep up with the schedule while easing the pressure of returning to school.

Located right by the Lo River, the teaching staff are accustomed to moving furniture and equipment to the second floor whenever storms or floods are forecast. However, during the recent historic flood, Quang Trung Primary School (Ha Giang 2 Ward) was among the hardest-hit locations, as water levels rose up to six meters, submerging half of the second floor. Almost all of the school’s facilities were swept away or severely damaged, with estimated losses of nearly VND3 billion.

Principal Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet recalled the day when the floodwaters receded. Her school has been sunk under a thick layer of mud. For many days afterward, teachers and supporting forces took turns clearing mud, collecting and transporting damaged items, mobilizing both manpower and machinery to recover from the disaster.

Ms. Nguyen Hoai Linh, a parent of two students at the school, shared: “At first, I was really worried, afraid that temporary classes would mean poor conditions. But when I saw the new school, the classrooms were still clean and well-organized. I truly felt reassured and confident. My children even said the semi-boarding meals are just as delicious as before”.

On the other side of the Lo River, Hoa Mai Kindergarten also suffered severe damage. In just one night, the entire first floor was submerged. Walls collapsed, and all electronic equipment, documents, lesson plans, and outdoor play areas were buried in mud. Classrooms that had just been decorated, and the teaching materials carefully crafted by teachers for their students, were swept away before they could even be fully used.

Right after the water receded, recovery efforts were carried out urgently. Teachers, together with support teams, cleaned up the mud, dried books, washed toys, and wiped every corner of the classrooms. The school conducted disinfection three times to ensure a safe environment before welcoming the children back.

The first-floor area has not yet been rearranged after the flood, and classes are temporarily organized on the second floor.

Teachers rearranged the desks and chairs, divided classes into smaller groups, and flexibly combined them to ensure enough learning space while maintaining the children’s daily routines.

The classrooms on the second floor are once again filled with the joyful sounds of children. The lively atmosphere has returned with activities such as storytelling, singing, dancing, and drawing.

Khanh Linh