China: Schools reopen, admitting students from quake areas

By Huang Zhiling

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Paotongshu admitted five primary schools students from outside Chengdu Monday whose schools had either been reduced into rubble or become dangerous, said Chen Qun, deputy headmistress of Paotongshu.

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Although nobody in the school was hurt in the quake and only a few ceramic tiles on the wall cocked, Paotongshu took action to eliminate every trace which might remind students of the quake to give them a sense of safety.

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Soon after the ceremony to lower the national flag to half-mast, a short video about the quake, its aftermath and public response to it was shown in each class. Then teachers explained to students the cause of an earthquake and what the earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan, impressed them most.

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"Today (May 19) the school does not teach students any normal subject. Instead, we teach them knowledge about the earthquake, how to protect themselves in it and teach them to be adamant and love others in times of a disaster," [Chen Qun, deputy headmistress of Paotongshu,] said.

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