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Troops from the Mechanized Reconnaissance Company under the Dak Lak Provincial Military Command clean classrooms at Phu Mo Primary School. |
Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 13th storm to hit Vietnam this year, and subsequent floods created a “dual disaster,” leaving widespread devastation. According to the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Education and Training, as of November 9, 226 education establishments were damaged with estimated losses of VND 22.8 billion. Classrooms lost roofs, walls and gates collapsed, over 1,000 trees fell, and hundreds of desks and computers were ruined. Teaching was completely disrupted.
Restoring safe learning conditions became an urgent mission. Just hours after the storm, military soldiers arrived to assist teachers struggling amid the wreckage.
At Xuan Loc 1 Primary School in Xuan Loc commune, where large trees had uprooted, and classrooms were unroofed, nearly 30 troops from the Provincial Military Command and Infantry Regiment 888 joined local forces to clean, repair, and reorganize classrooms in a single day. The school’s principal Le Van Om said that thanks to the soldiers’ help, everything was cleaned and fixed quickly, and the school could welcome students at the soonest time, ensuring their studying progress.
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Troops tidy Xuan Loc 1 Primary School. |
Le Dong Quan, Chairman of Xuan Loc Commune People’s Committee, expressed deep gratitude, saying the soldiers’ timely support brought strength and hope to both the school and residents.
Across Dak Lak Province, the presence of the military personnel became a familiar and reassuring sight. In Phu Mo commune, troops from the Mechanized Reconnaissance Company cleared debris, sawed fallen trees, and reopened school entrances, racing against time to make schools ready for repairs.
On November 9, more than 300 troops from Infantry Division 2 were deployed to the hardest-hit schools in Dong Xuan commune and Song Cau ward. Despite the massive workload, they divided themselves into teams to perform numerous tasks simultaneously, including dredging mud, disinfecting classrooms, rebuilding fences, repairing desks, and replacing roofs. Their actions reflected the true spirit of Uncle Ho’s soldiers of serving the people.
Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dao My stated that the provincial authorities assigned the Department of Education and Training, local authorities with the task of ensuring that students could return safely to school as soon as possible.
The department also required that classes resume only when safety conditions are fully met. Schools at the same time are asked to develop make-up teaching plans and deploy online learning if conditions allow. Cleanup and safety efforts should be completed by November 10, with strong military support to ensure progress.
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Removing fallen trees at Xuan Loc 1 Primary School |
Through their tireless work, wading in mud, working through rain and night, military soldiers have once again shined the enduring image of Uncle Ho’s soldiers, a firm fulcrum for the people in times of hardship. Their sweat shed in the recovery effort has further strengthened the close-knit bond between the military and the people.
Translated by Mai Huong