What happened to all the Schools?
We all know about the devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China. But why did so many schools collapse? So far the estimates are near to 7,000.
This is a question being asked by many in China and has got a rapid response from the government.
“If quality problems do exist in the school buildings, we will punish those responsible severely and give the public a satisfactory answer,” Han Jin, head of the Ministry of Education’s development and planning department, said on Friday’s state-run forum.
Also state ran People’s Daily is keeping a pretty open policy with lively debate on the subject on their discussion forum. Users are freely pointing out corners must have been cut on the school construction.
On the international media -Time Magazine’s online edition:
“It was built out of tofu,” says Hu Yuefu, 44, of the school building that collapsed in the magnitude 7.9 quake and killed his 15-year-old daughter Huishan. He believes local government officials and the building contractors are responsible. As he speaks, a crowd gathers around to listen and offer their support. “I hope there is an investigation,” Hu says. “Otherwise, there are a thousand parents who would beat them to death.”
Other media praised Wen Jia Bao for moving so quickly, something that doesn’t always happen in other countries, remember Katrina.
Following on from my previous posting, now Nortel China employees have raised so far 320,000 rmb fully on their own backs and now Nortel has agreed to match this figure up to 100,000 USD (700,000RMB).
The challenge of survival is today, however soon the even bigger challenge of rebuilding lives, business and homes will begin.
Today the Red Cross ww.redcross.org.cn can help with immediate needs.
Soon when the rebuilding begins 51Give will to take an active role, we are currently in talks with partners on the next steps to make a difference.
51Give team