Minamisoma's children return to school - Feb 27, 2012

February 27, 2012

Schools reopen in Fukushima's Minamisoma

      http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120227_22.html

More schools in Minamisoma City in Fukushima Prefecture that have been closed since the nuclear accident last March, have reopened.

The four elementary and junior high schools have been holding classes in temporary facilities elsewhere.

But the students were able to return to their own buildings on Monday.

The reopening follows the completion of cleanup work after an evacuation advisory for the city was lifted at the end of September.

At Ishigami Daini elementary school, located 25 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, many children arrived in the morning by car.

At an assembly, a 6-grader speaking on behalf of the pupils, said he will be happy to graduate from the original school building. He said he wants to make his remaining years in school fulfilling, partly for friends who have not returned.

The school says only 197 of its 493 pupils are coming back.

With the reopening of the 4 schools, all elementary and junior high schools in what was previously an evacuation zone, have resumed classes.