Central schools proactively respond to minimize storm damage

GD&TĐ - Responding to storm Kajiki, schools in the Central region have proactively developed response plans, in which ensuring the safety of students and teachers is the top priority...

Proactively prevent storms

On the afternoon of August 25, when Typhoon Kajiki approached the mainland, a number of schools were severely affected. At Dinh Ban Primary School, Campus 2 (Thach Khe Commune, Ha Tinh ), the entire roof of the second floor of the 2-storey building with 8 classrooms was blown away by the wind. According to local leaders, the school and teachers had previously reinforced the corrugated iron roof and trimmed trees. However, the wind was so strong that the corrugated iron roof could not stand. Fortunately, all documents and equipment were promptly relocated, so the damage was significantly reduced.

Previously, forecasting the complicated developments of storm Kajiki, the Ha Tinh Education Department and schools simultaneously activated response plans, focusing on reinforcing facilities, evacuating assets, and being ready to protect the safety of students and teachers before the new school year.

In an urgent mood, Cam Nhuong Secondary School (Thien Cam Commune) mobilized all teachers and staff to move files, documents, machines, and teaching equipment from the first floor to the second floor to avoid flooding. Trees around the school yard were trimmed and cleared to reduce the risk of falling in strong winds. The school also assigned staff to be on duty 24/7 to promptly respond to storm Kajiri.

Located in a coastal area, Nguyen Dinh Lien High School (Yen Hoa Commune, Ha Tinh) has also proactively responded to the storm. “For documents, books and teaching materials, the school has used many layers of plastic bags before bringing them to sturdy, safe classrooms. We have tied the classroom windows with wooden bars and placed sandbags on roofs that are at risk of being blown off,” said Mr. Hoang Quoc Quyet - Principal.

Students and residents were evacuated to Quang Dong Primary and Secondary School to ensure safety during the storm.

Grasping information about the possibility of typhoon Kajiki affecting the mainland, schools in Quang Tri province proactively prepared plans to prevent and respond to the storm. At Cua Tung Kindergarten (Cua Tung Commune, Quang Tri), teachers were supported by officers and soldiers at Cua Tung Border Guard Station (Quang Tri Border Guard) to reinforce classroom roofs and protect property from the storm.

Dong Le Primary School (Nam Dong Ha Ward) also mobilized teachers to move teaching materials to higher places to avoid flooding and damage. At the same time, the door system was tightly tied to limit wind drafts and avoid collisions; trees were trimmed to avoid being broken by wind and rain and falling on the structures.

The Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri province requires heads of units and schools to strictly implement storm prevention measures to ensure absolute safety for students, teachers and staff.

Kindergarten children, students, and trainees are informed to stay home from the morning of August 25 until the weather returns to normal. Proactively implement measures to secure classrooms and glass doors; preserve teaching equipment, records, and documents in safe locations. Assign staff, teachers, and employees to be on duty 24/7 to promptly respond to any situation that may arise.

The entire roof of the second floor of Dinh Ban Primary School (Ha Tinh) was blown away by the wind.

Four on-site flood response

At Son Hong Primary and Secondary School (Son Hong Commune, Ha Tinh), the perennial trees in the campus are neatly trimmed and securely tied; the corrugated iron roofs of the classrooms are reinforced with braces; the glass and wooden doors are tightly closed and carefully bolted. This is a border school, located in a valley, all year round affected by whirlwinds, especially in the summer when there are gusts that can blow off the roof. More worryingly, if the rain reaches 500 - 600 mm, the risk of flash floods is completely possible.

The school board has coordinated with local authorities to check landslide-prone areas, especially near residential areas where students live. Maps of vulnerable locations have been clearly delineated so that if an emergency occurs, local forces can evacuate and provide immediate support.

The school and local authorities also asked parents to sign a commitment to coordinate management and keep their children safe during the storm. “Students are the number one priority. Every teacher considers protecting the safety of students as protecting their own children. We have a 4-on-the-spot spirit so as not to be passive in any situation,” affirmed Mr. Nguyen Duc Dan - Principal of the school.

Necessities are prepared at Nhon Mai Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Nhon Mai, Nghe An) to welcome people to evacuate.

In mountainous communes of Thanh Hoa province such as Trung Ly, Giao An, Hoa Quy... many schools located in low-lying areas, along rivers and streams, have been locally isolated due to prolonged heavy rain.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chinh - Principal of Xuan Quy Primary and Secondary School (Hoa Quy Commune, Thanh Hoa) said: "As soon as there was a high-level storm warning, the school established a response plan to ensure the safety of students, teachers and the unit's property.

We maintain a 24/7 storm alert, closely monitor weather developments through official channels, and maintain regular contact with the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control to promptly handle any arising situations.” After the storm has passed, the school will inspect the extent of damage, conduct a general cleanup, handle fallen trees, and promptly restore learning conditions for students.

At Giao Thien Secondary School (Giao An Commune), Mr. Trinh Quoc Viet - Principal said: "We strictly implement the "4 on-site" motto including on-site command, on-site forces, on-site means and on-site logistics. All teachers and staff of the school have checked and reinforced the electrical system, roof, trees in the school campus, and moved teaching equipment to higher places.

In addition, the school cooperates with local authorities and commune health stations to train staff and teachers in disaster prevention and response skills. The school's rescue team is assigned specific tasks, such as closing classrooms, evacuating equipment, providing first aid to injured people and coordinating the transfer of victims to the nearest medical facility.

Schools in Ha Tinh proactively reinforce facilities, protect books and teaching equipment.

Schools share community responsibility

Nhon Mai Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities (Nhon Mai Commune, Nghe An) has prepared its facilities and plans to open and welcome more than 200 students from remote villages for boarding from August 25. However, this plan has been adjusted.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tan - Principal said: "Due to the characteristics of the mountainous commune, the whole school only has two villages in the central area that are easy to travel to. The remaining 10 villages have to go to school through hills, rivers, and streams, so there are many potential risks when there is heavy rain. In the current context, ensuring student safety is the school's top priority."

Along with postponing the school opening date, the Board of Directors sent an urgent notice to the families of students and local residents that accommodation, kitchens and other facilities have been prepared to welcome people to safely take shelter from the storm. It is recommended that people in the moving plan quickly arrange and move to school, absolutely do not stay at home when it rains heavily, there is a risk of flooding and landslides to ensure the safety of life and property.

“Our school is located at a high altitude, so it is safe enough to be an evacuation site for people in areas at risk of landslides. The school always accompanies and serves people in difficult times,” affirmed the Principal of Nhon Mai Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities.

Similarly, Chieu Luu 1 Primary School for Ethnic Minorities (Chieu Luu Commune, Nghe An) prepared conditions to serve as a shelter for local people in case of danger due to floods. Previously, due to the impact of Typhoon Wipha, many families of students in the villages were flooded and had landslides. The school was used by the local government as an emergency evacuation site for the people. After the flood receded, the school also served as a place to welcome and provide accommodation for soldiers and volunteer groups who came to help people overcome the consequences.

Located in a coastal area, Hai Hoa Secondary School (Cua Lo Ward, Nghe An) has reinforced its facilities, protected its assets, and is ready to welcome local people to take shelter when there are strong winds and storms.

In the border commune of Trung Ly (Thanh Hoa), there are 15 villages located in areas at high risk of flash floods and landslides. Mr. Ngan Van Lon - Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee said: When there is a natural disaster, households in dangerous areas will be evacuated to schools, cultural houses or safe areas.

The Commune Disaster Prevention and Control Command mobilized police, militia, medical staff, and youth volunteers, along with adequate rescue equipment and supplies, to respond. Schools in the area developed disaster prevention plans, organized evacuation drills, and were ready to adjust teaching plans if necessary.

The Department of Education and Training of Ha Tinh has issued a document directing educational institutions to proactively let students stay home from school to cope with storms and floods. On the morning of August 25, 67,000 students in grades 1, 9 and 12 in Ha Tinh were home from school until the end of Tuesday (August 26). Depending on the weather, schools will issue new announcements. At the same time, educational institutions need to increase dissemination of disaster risk prevention skills to students and parents.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/truong-hoc-mien-trung-chu-dong-ung-pho-giam-thieu-thiet-hai-do-bao-post745800.html