Xuan Mai overcomes floods to welcome the new school year 2025-2026

Along with students across the country, teachers and students of Xuan Mai commune (Hanoi) will enter the new school year 2025-2026 tomorrow (September 5) in the context of flooding in many places.

Over the past week, local authorities have been "day and night" staying close to the people, protecting the dike, focusing on overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, and making careful preparations so that all students can fully enjoy the new school year, without anyone being disadvantaged.

Although the flood has receded, many houses in Xuan Mai commune along the Bui River are still flooded. Photo: Kim Nhuệ

"White" holidays to protect people

According to the Northern Hydrometeorological Station, at 7am on September 4, the water level of the Bui River had receded to 6.91m, 0.09m below the level III flood warning. However, in the villages of Nam Hai, Nhan Ly, Hanh Bo, Hanh Con (the flood center of the old Chuong My district), the water was still white on the fields and roads. The roads leading to residential areas were still flooded 50-60cm deep, deeper in some places. Many level 4 houses were half submerged in water, interspersed with newly built high-rise buildings, the yards were still dry.

The road to Nam Hai village (Xuan Mai commune) is deeply flooded but has not reached the residential areas of many newly built high-rise buildings. Photo: Kim Nhuệ

In the hot weather, environmental workers patiently collect trash, collect animal carcasses, and keep the environment clean. Mr. Bui Ngoc Binh, Head of Nam Hai village, shared: "The flood peak of Bui River this year is higher than 2024, but the level of flooding in the population has decreased, and fewer households have to be evacuated. The reason is that Xuan Mai commune resolutely raised the right dike of Bui, promptly operated Nhan Ly pumping station to drain water, so the current water level of the river is higher than in the residential area."

The road to Nam Phuong Tien A Secondary School (Xuan Mai Commune) is still deeply submerged in water. Photo: Kim Nhuệ

Since August 25, the Commune Civil Defense Command has not slept, mobilizing more than 600 people including the army, militia, and people, using tens of thousands of sacks and thousands of cubic meters of sand and soil to reinforce and handle the weak dike points. Along with that, more than 200 households have been evacuated from the dangerous area, set up 24/7 checkpoints, and provided drinking water, bread, milk, instant noodles, etc. to ensure the people's lives.

The entrance road and yard of Nam Phuong Tien Kindergarten (Hanh Bo village) are flooded by the Bui River, making them unfit to hold the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year. Photo: Kim Nhuệ

During the National Day holiday, Xuan Mai commune officials had no day off. “We left the honor of attending the National Day ceremony at Ba Dinh Square to the people, while we stayed behind to stick to the dike and the people. Up to now, Xuan Mai has had no casualties, people have not had to skip meals or lack drinking water, and the safety of life and property has been maintained,” affirmed Nguyen Anh Duc, Chairman of Xuan Mai Commune People’s Committee.

Teachers of Nam Phuong Tien Kindergarten arrange the school in Doi Mit village, preparing for the new school year. Photo: Thu Hien

Do not let students suffer

Xuan Mai commune currently has 23 schools, including 7 middle schools, 7 primary schools and 9 kindergartens. In recent years, this area has always received attention from Hanoi city and the old Chuong My district in investing in infrastructure. However, due to its location in the flood zone, as of the morning of September 4, the roads to Nam Phuong Tien Kindergarten, Nam Phuong Tien A Primary School and Nam Phuong Tien A Middle School were still deeply flooded, making it impossible to organize the opening ceremony on September 5.

Teachers of Nam Phuong Tien Kindergarten are completing the final work to open the festival on September 5 at the Doi Mit village school. Photo: Thu Hien

To make the opening ceremony truly a festival, Xuan Mai commune has directed schools, especially the three schools that are still flooded, to implement absolute safety plans, regardless of the development of natural disasters. With the viewpoint of "not letting students suffer", teacher Do Thi Thanh Tam, Principal of Nam Phuong Tien Kindergarten said: The school has completed cleaning and arranged to organize the opening ceremony at the school in Doi Mit village - an area that is not flooded.

Teacher Do Thi Thanh Tam, Principal of Nam Phuong Tien Kindergarten, discusses preparations for the new school year. Video : Kim Nhue

In the same spirit, Nam Phuong Tien A Primary and Secondary School, with more than 480 students, will hold a joint opening ceremony at the Xuan Mai Commune Party Committee headquarters. “This continues to be a special opening season for teachers and students of the school,” said Principal Nguyen Van Thang.

After the opening ceremony and the flood recedes, schools will coordinate with local authorities and parents to clean and disinfect, and soon welcome students back to in-person classes.

Nam Phuong Tien Kindergarten in Doi Mit village is brightly decorated with flags and flowers, ready for the school festival. Photo: Thu Hien

In the early days of September, when flags and school drums were ready at safe schools, the joyful spirit of Xuan Mai teachers and students became even more meaningful. Although there were still difficulties after the circulation of storm No. 5 and the flood, with the decisive participation of the entire political system and the joint efforts of the people, the local education cause continued to be taken care of. With enthusiasm and responsibility for the students, Xuan Mai turned challenges into motivation, so that the opening day in the flood center was full of joy, opening a new school year full of trust and hope.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/xuan-mai-vuot-lu-don-khai-giang-nam-hoc-moi-2025-2026-715072.html