Students enrolled in at least 500 schools around the country will be enjoying a longer vacation, thanks to flood waters.
As a new school year begins in Cambodia today, the Ministry of Education’s Secondary School Department deputy director Chroeng Lim Sry advised teachers and students to open classrooms where they could, and to report to the nearest school that isn’t flooded if the water hasn’t receded.
The exact number of schools affected is unknown. Bun Sok, an undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Education, told the Associated Press that another 300 schools that haven’t officially reported closures won’t be able to start classes.
There are approximately 6,000 primary, junior high and senior high schools in Cambodia.
Most of the closed schools are in the provinces.
Um Hueung, Director of the Phnom Penh Education Office, said only four primary schools in the city will be unable to open.
A letter from Oddar Meanchey province officials to the government stated that 20 bridges along Route 68 have been destroyed.
According to Chhim Sivuth, Oddar Meanchey province spokesman, stretches of road between Chong Kal district and O’Smach, and between Chong Kal and Kra Lanh districts are badly damaged.
“I think this route [68] is very important for the province,” Chhim Sivuth said. “There will be no [moving] food stuffs if the route isn’t fixed.”
Oddar Meanchey province first governor Mao Tim estimated it would take 35 tons of rice to keep his villagers fed. According to a letter from Peou Samy, secretary general for the National Committee for Disaster Management, 20 tons of rice will be provided for Oddar Meanchey province, 30 tons for Pursat province, 20 tons for Battambang province and 15 tons for Banteay Meanchey province.
