Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed the education sector to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by Storm Matmo (Storm No. 11) in order to support recovery efforts and ensure that students can return to school as soon as possible.
Official Dispatch No. 196/CD-TTg was sent to the chairpersons of the People's Committees of northern and noth-central localities, namely Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Phu Tho, Son La, Lang Son, Dien Bien, Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang, along with the ministers of education and training, public security, national defence, agriculture and environment, and finance.
In the dispatch, the PM requested authorities in the affected provinces and cities to urgently review and report on the extent of the storm’s impact on the education sector, focusing on loss of life, damage to school infrastructure and textbooks, and disruptions to teaching plans. The consolidated reports, along with proposals for support in replenishing textbooks and teaching equipment for the 2025–2026 academic year, must be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) by 3 pm on October 14.
Local authorities are urged to make proactive use of local budgets, central government assistance, and other legitimate funding sources to promptly address the damage, ensuring adequate conditions for teachers, schools, teaching materials, learning equipment, and school hygiene as students resume classes.
The MoET is tasked with directing education departments in the affected localities to review and propose measures to mobilise forces and resources for the swift restoration of educational facilities, and provide timely support in textbooks, teaching aids, and learning materials to ensure proper learning conditions for students. The MoET will act as the focal point to consolidate reports and submit them to the PM by 3 pm on October 15.
Meanwhile, the ministers of public security, national defence, and agriculture and environment are requested to continue directing relevant units stationed in the affected areas to assist localities in cleaning schools and assessing damage as proposed by provincial and municipal People’s Committees.
The Minister of Finance is requested to balance resources to support localities in recovering from the storm-triggered damage, including losses to school infrastructure, equipment, and other essential educational needs.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long is assigned to monitor and promote the ministries, sectors, and localities' implementation of the dispatch./.
