Nearly 200 students from a mountainous district crammed into 3 dormitories

Gate of Con Cuong Ethnic Minority Secondary School. Photo: Ho Phuong

Con Cuong Ethnic Minority Secondary School was established in September 2013 and started operating in November 2013. The school currently has 297 students, 12 classes and 4 grades from grade 6 to grade 9. The whole school has 46 staff members, teachers and employees.

The living and learning conditions of students at Con Cuong Ethnic Minority Secondary School are currently causing a lot of concern for parents, students and teachers in the school.

Currently, teachers and students of Con Cuong Ethnic Minority Secondary School are studying and staying temporarily at the old Bong Khe Secondary School (because Bong Khe Secondary School merged with Con Cuong Town Secondary School) and Bong Khe Primary School in Thanh Nam village, Bong Khe commune.

The school has 297 students living in only 10 rooms. Photo: Ho Phuong.

Because there is no facility, 297 students are currently staying in 10 dormitories. Of these, nearly 200 students are staying in 3 large rooms of about 50m2.²/room. The remaining children are divided into smaller rooms with an area of ​​about 10m2²each room. So there are rooms with 8 students, there are rooms with 30 students, even up to 40 students living and working together.

The school bought these rooms from some households and then built them with temporary planks for the students to live in. Currently, some of the house’s pillars and rafters are rotten and damaged by termites, causing worry for the students every time there is a storm.

The water tank is cloudy. This is the water source for daily activities and bathing of the students. Photo: Ho Phuong

The water supply is also a matter of concern. Currently, all students in the school use water pumped from a well. It is worth mentioning that this water is turbid and has an odor even though the school has installed additional drains containing sand and gravel to filter it.

Wooden pillars in the dormitory room were infested with termites. Photo: Ho Phuong

Ms. VTP - a parent lamented: "If we continue to live like this, where will the children get the spirit to study?"

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Nhung - Principal of Con Cuong Ethnic Minority Secondary School said: "The learning facilities and teaching staff are basically good thanks to the district's attention. However, the conditions of food, accommodation and water, etc. are still difficult problems. Other districts have them, but Con Cuong district still does not have them, which makes us very sad and we hope to have a good facility to ensure the learning of students."

The water tank used for children's daily activities has a sour smell and is cloudy. Photo: Ho Phuong

The project to build Con Cuong Ethnic Minority Secondary School was planned in 2016 in Tan Tra village, Bong Khe commune with all the items. However, until now, this project is still on paper because there is no funding for construction.

The male students' dormitory. Photo: Ho Phuong

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of the Management Board of Construction Investment Projects of Con Cuong District said: "The district has also tried to find sources and funding for the school. Although the project approval documents have been submitted, there is no source so we have to accept it. Currently, there is no source for the district to propose and request funding for construction, it will probably have to wait until after 2020."

Plastic tarps are stretched over the roof to prevent water leakage. Photo: Ho Phuong

Mr. Vi Van Son - Chairman of Con Cuong District People's Committee said: "The most difficult problem at Con Cuong Ethnic Minority Secondary School is the food and accommodation conditions for students. The district is also gradually overcoming this. Also because the district's budget is limited"./.