Ho Chi Minh City orders safety review of routes to school amid heavy rain

The municipal Department of Education and Training has issued a dispatch to educational institutions across the city on ensuring students’ safety on their journeys to and from school.

Schools have been urged to work with local authorities to identify roads and areas regularly used by students where travel could pose safety risks.

Based on those assessments, schools must develop appropriate measures for each location and for groups of students facing heightened risks.

Students must not be allowed to travel independently through dangerous areas unless safety conditions have been secured.

At high-risk locations, schools are required to coordinate with local authorities, police, military forces and relevant agencies to guide and assist students.

Where students need to be transported across rivers, streams or reservoirs, vehicles must meet technical safety requirements, while drivers must have appropriate qualifications and carry sufficient life jackets and rescue equipment.

Students must wear life jackets throughout the journey.

Schools are also required to monitor weather conditions, water levels and actual local circumstances in order to proactively suspend transportation when necessary.

Parents and students must be informed promptly of any changes.

Besides, the department has asked commune- and ward-level authorities to review the need for repairs and investment in bridges, roads and other transport infrastructure serving students.

Priority should be given to the most urgent locations.

In case immediate repairs are not possible, authorities must adopt measures such as warnings, traffic management, assistance or student transportation.

Students should not have to miss school because of difficulties traveling to and from school.

Heavy rain expected to remain complicated

Ho Chi Minh City is being affected by a tropical convergence zone and strong southwest monsoon activity that are triggering widespread rainfall, according to the national weather center.

A tropical depression could also develop over the East Vietnam Sea and potentially strengthen into a storm, contributing to further unpredictable weather conditions.

During a recent spell of downpours accompanied by strong gusts, trees were uprooted or brought down in the city, posing risks to the safety and health of students and teachers.