To date, 52 students and children have died, 3 students are missing, and 8 students are injured due to the impacts of Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath. Additionally, 3 teachers have died and 1 teacher is missing, according to a report by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) on the damage inflicted by the typhoon on the education sector.

MOET has stated that Typhoon Yagi and its remnants have caused severe loss of life and property in several northern mountainous provinces and the Red River Delta, with the education sector suffering significant losses.

Local reports indicate that many teachers and students have died or are missing. Several school facilities have collapsed, roofs have been blown away, and educational equipment, desks, chairs, books, and other materials have been severely damaged by flooding.

As of now, 52 students and children have lost their lives, with 3 students missing and 8 students injured. The deaths of 3 teachers and the disappearance of 1 teacher have also been confirmed.

The student fatalities were reported as follows: Cao Bang (6 students); Lao Cai (35 students, including 24 in Bao Yen district, 5 in Bac Ha district, 3 in Bat Xat district, 2 in Si Ma Cai district, and 1 in Van Ban district); Yen Bai (9 students, including 4 in Yen Bai city, 2 in Luc Yen district, 1 in Van Chan district, 1 in Van Yen district, and 1 at Hoang Van Thu High School); and Thai Nguyen (2 children).

In Lao Cai, 1 grade 5 student from Ngai Thau boarding school is missing due to a landslide, along with 2 children from A Lu kindergarten, who are unaccounted for following another landslide.

Injuries were reported in Quang Ninh (1 student from Suoi Khoang Secondary School), Cao Bang (1 second grader), and Lao Cai (6 students from Phuc Khanh commune, currently treated at Bao Yen General Hospital).

Among the teachers, fatalities occurred in Cao Bang (1 male teacher dead, 1 female teacher missing) and Yen Bai (2 teachers killed by landslides).

Educational infrastructure damaged by the storm

In addition to the tragic loss of life, Typhoon Yagi has caused widespread destruction to educational facilities. Heavy rains and strong winds have left many schools in northern mountainous and northeastern provinces - such as Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Bac Giang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Hai Duong - severely damaged or flooded. Desks, chairs, books, and other educational materials have been swept away by floodwaters.

MOET has instructed localities to urgently review and assess the damage and submit reports to relevant authorities for funding.

Many schools have been flooded, with computers, classroom equipment, and students' materials severely damaged, making repairs difficult. In Yen Bai alone, nearly 20,000 students have lost textbooks, with replacement costs estimated at over 9 billion VND.

Despite efforts to clean up and disinfect classrooms, 99 schools across 6 provinces remain unable to resume classes due to persistent flooding. Affected areas include Lao Cai (83 schools), Cao Bang (1 school), Bac Kan (3 schools), Tuyen Quang (1 school), Yen Bai (3 schools), and Bac Giang (8 schools).

On September 11, MOET, in cooperation with the Vietnam Education Union, launched a fundraising initiative to support those affected by Typhoon Yagi, raising over 8 billion VND in cash and 3.5 billion VND in kind (educational materials and notebooks).

MOET has also engaged with UNICEF Vietnam and other international organizations, securing a commitment of 4.05 million USD to support food, textbooks, and educational materials for students.

Recovery and support efforts continue

MOET has been working closely with publishers to ensure a steady supply of textbooks to affected areas and prevent disruptions in education. Publishers have already donated 2,000 sets of books and mobilized resources to print an additional 10 million copies.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front has also been asked to prioritize funding for the education sector to help repair damaged facilities, purchase equipment, and ensure that students can return to school as soon as possible.

MOET and the Vietnam Education Union continue to mobilize sponsorships and call for further support to ensure students and teachers in affected areas can recover from the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi.

Thanh Hung