>> Mekong Delta floods push death toll to 43
Students in An Phu District, in the Mekong province of An Giang, have been struggling with floods.
More life-jackets needed
Floods have damaged many dykes and put over 100km of roads under water, blocking traffic. Despite the situation, local students have continued trying to go to school.
On October 25, DTiNews reporters visited Vinh Hoi Dong B Primary School in An Phu District and saw the difficulties that the pupils face on the way to school.
Trade Union Chairman of the school Nguyen Van Can said, "In spite of the floods, we’ve still maintained teaching activities. The school has co-operated with localities to take the students to class and return them home safely.”
The school has 522 pupils, including 174 living in areas isolated by floodwater; they are taken to school by boat.
Phu Hoi Commune’s Road 957 was also under water, so students from Phu Hoi C Primary School have to wade through the water to go home.
Quach Van To, a 5th grade student at the school, said, “Some days ago, we came back home by ferry, but now, after having to wait so long, we’ve decided to wade through the water.”
Around 1,800 students in An Phu District and Tan Chau Town have to go to school by ferry and boat. They have been provided with 1,310 life-jackets and 74 plastic canisters that will act as floats.
Nguyen Thanh Binh, Director of the provincial Department of Education and Training, has instructed education and training board and the schools to ensure the safety of children at school.
According to the regional Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control Continuing floods in the delta have left 49 people dead and inundated nearly 90,000 houses, 22,700ha of rice paddies, and 4,000ha of other crops. This year\'s record floods have also eroded 1,500km of dykes and inundated 1,340km of rural roads since August. The waters in the upper Mekong River, Dong Thap Muoi, and Long Xuyen Quadrangle will remain at third warning level for the next two weeks, the Central Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has warned |
Some photos of students in flood-hit An Giang District:
Life-jackets and floats taken to school
Students are taken to school by boat
Parents picking up their children
Water rising at the entrance to the school