Recent aftershocks following Taiwan’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake have caused damage to schools, however students seem rather calm as classes resume.
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In an elementary school in southern Hualien County, sections of tiles lay scattered due to cracking and fractures from the quakes. The school’s Principal Lu Jun-ming (呂俊明) says the damaged area has been closed off to protect teachers and students. Computer classroom equipment is also toppled over and Lu says they may need technicians to readjust it.
The school reopened on Thursday after the series of earthquakes on Tuesday. Around five students from three households opted to stay home due to disruptions from ongoing aftershocks.
Another high school’s gymnasium floor cracked and bathroom tiles showed fractures, though Principal Li En-ming (李恩銘) noted the damage wasn't too severe thanks to previous reinforcement work limiting it mostly to cracked expansion joints.
The Hualien County Education Bureau has preliminarily estimated that 31 schools suffered quake damage, with current projected costs of around NT$8.58 million (more than US$263,000). Bureau staff Li Cia-ling (李佳玲) highlighted that Xinyi Elementary School saw comparatively major damage, including cracks and surface damage in the playground.
Despite the aftershocks, most students remained calm returning to class. One of the parents expressed having no concerns, saying that the school is trained in building safety and disaster preparedness. Parents trust the earthquake education and just remind kids to hurry home after school in case of more aftershocks.