The Sichuan Province Earthquake

And its Effect on Schools

By: Shelley Stewart

The Earthquake

• Occurred on May 12, 2008 in the central region of Sichuan province.

• Killed over 90,000 people

• 7.9 magnitude

The Sichuan Province

The Epicenter

The Damage

• At least 5 million people left homeless

• Livestock and agriculture killed and damaged

• Poor areas effected more that wealth areas

• Earthquake construction codes

• Roadways

The Schools

• Earthquake during school hours

• 7,000 schools collapsed

• Tens of thousands of children and teachers killed

Schools Cont’d

• Schools in poor areas have smaller budgets and less money to spend on construction

• Building codes up to international standards in China but no one to enforce in poor areas

• Bribes• Buildings in the same area had little damage

Government Response

• China is first complemented as being very open about the disaster and efficient in recovery

• Many local governments promised to investigate schools collapse

• Investigations into professional crime

• Government pledges 8 billion Yuan in rebuilding funds.

Works Cited

• “2008 Sichuan Earthquake.” Wikipedia. 21 Apr. 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Sichuan_earthquake>.

• “A Major Earthquake Shakes China’s Sichuan Province.” Britannica Book of the Year, 2009. 2009. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. 21 Apr. 2009 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9443566>.

• “Chinese Government Promises Inquiry Into Shoddy Construction.” ABC. 21 Apr. 2009 <http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2008/s22253989.html>.

• “Magnitude 7.9- EASTERN SICHUAN, CHINA” USGS. 21 Apr. 2009 <http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/us2008ryan/>.

• “Thousands Feared Dead as Earthquake Hits China.” National Public Radio. 20 Apr. 2009 <http:/ww.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyid=9037158>.

• “China to Spend 800 m on Making Schools in Earthquake Zones Safe.” The Guardian. 21 Apr. 2009 <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/02/china-earthquake-schools/print>.