682 schools damaged by typhoon

Among the 682 schools damaged by Typhoon Morakot, 522 of them were elementary or junior high schools, and 132 were high school or vocational schools.

The MOE said that the heaviest damage was suffered in Tainan county, where damage is estimated to be worth approximately NT$18.25 million, followed by Taichung city, Chiayi, and Pingtung, where damage is estimated to be in the region of NT$8 to $9 million respectively.

Yang Chang-yu, the head of the MOE's Department of Elementary Eduacation, added that most of the damage was caused by classrooms and playgrounds being flooded. Staff are still unable to enter some schools in Taichung, Tainan, and Pingtung counties due to flooding and electricity outages, he said.

Pan Wen-chung from the MOE said that some outlying areas have yet to describe the full picture of the damage caused by Typhoon Morakot, and that the MOE is urgently raising funds in order to begin repair work on the schools so that students returning to school after the summer recess will be unaffected. Wen added that students whose families have been adversely affected by the typhoon are eligible to receive funds under the school's safety net, and may be able to receive additional financial assistance.

Students affected by the typhoon and in need of assistance or loans can call the MOE's hotline, (02)7736-6336, or log onto its website, http://140.111.34.220/index.php.

If one of a student's parents have died or were seriously injured by the typhoon, the student may also apply for financial assistance by calling the hotline, (04)3706-1741.

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