Day-and-night classes have resumed at Ai Thapyu Basic Education High School in flood-hit Laymyethna Township in Ayeyawady Region for students preparing to sit for the matriculation examination, according to the school.
The school reopened on September 15 after being temporarily closed for more than a month due to flooding.
“Starting from September 15, we have reopened the school for Grade-12 students for both day and night classes. As of today (September 16), there are 141 students. A total of 27 staff members—including 17 subject teachers and 10 other assigned staff—are taking turns to take responsibility,” said the headmaster of Ai Thapyu Basic Education High School.
“We are working together with the school welfare committee and organizations here to arrange everything, including cooking and food preparation. Accommodation and meals have also been provided. Officials from the education department are providing assistance and support as well. Since we are concerned about the children’s safety from the flood risk, we are keeping them at school rather than sending them home and are jointly taking responsibility for their safety while conducting both day and night classes,” he added.
Flooding damaged more than 300 feet of the school’s brick perimeter wall as well as roads within the school compound, according to the school.
“We received information about the condition of the embankment on the 30th. The Township Education Officer announced the temporary closure of schools on the 31st. All the children remained safe. The school was temporarily closed for about 34 days,” the headmaster said.
“We have reopened the school with the aim of improving the matriculation examination pass rate. We are also making arrangements to gradually reopen classes for the remaining grades once the flood danger has passed,” he added.
Ai Thapyu Basic Education High School has a total of 1,059 students from Grade 6 to Grade 12. At present, classes have resumed specifically for Grade-12 students preparing for the matriculation examination.
