Two months after a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook Dingri County in Xizang, home to the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, resilience shines as thousands of students return to school. 🏫✨
Despite the quake claiming 126 lives in January, reconstruction efforts have been swift. Out of 79 schools affected, 76 have been repaired and reinforced, allowing students to resume classes as scheduled on Wednesday. In the city of Xigaze, southwest Xizang Autonomous Region, all schools are back in session, bringing a sense of normalcy to the community.
However, three primary schools in severely damaged townships still need complete reconstruction. To ensure that education continues uninterrupted, 1,479 students have been relocated to four alternative sites for the new semester.
Li Benfeng, deputy director of the education bureau in Dingri, shared that the county's Party school is serving as a temporary venue, providing six classrooms for over 220 primary students. "Each of us was given not only new textbooks but also backpacks, bedding and stationery," said Pasang Tsering, a grade-six student attending classes at the Party school venue. 📚🎒
Chimed, deputy director of the municipal education bureau of Xigaze, highlighted the dedication of school teachers who returned early to assist with cleaning and preparations. "During the new semester, teachers will provide psychological support for students – aiming to alleviate fear and anxiety caused by the earthquake," she explained.
In a broader move towards recovery, reconstruction of eight severely affected villages was launched on Monday in Gurum Village of Dingri. This initiative aims to relocate over 120,000 residents to new homes by the end of the year, featuring debris clearance, risk assessment, and innovative housing designs.
The community's determination to rebuild and the support from educators and authorities ensure that the students of Xizang can continue their education with hope and vigor. 💪🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
