VietNamNet Bridge – The 100-year-old Chau Van Liem High School in Can Tho City will be demolished next week as it has badly deteriorated.

The 100-year-old Chau Van Liem High School in Can Tho city will be demolished next week, to permit the construction of a new school. — Photo vnexpress.net

A new school will be built in its place, while preserving the old architectural style.

Built in 1917 during the French colonial rule, the two-storey school, then known as College de Can Tho, was renamed Phan Thanh Gian in 1945 and then as Chau Van Liem in 1975.

Ten years ago, the Can Tho authorities and French experts warned teachers and students to stop working in the school, due to the severe deterioration of the buildings.

Experts found cracks in the walls, rotten wooden stairs and doors and damaged pillars.

"Last year, the French embassy in Viet Nam invited two experts to the school to study its status quo. They told us the school should not be renovated anymore and should be demolished and rebuilt," Director of Can Tho Education Department Tran Trong Khiem said.

Several days before its demolition, teachers and students of the school tried to take its photos as mementos.

The construction of the new building is expected to be finished by early 2017, in time to celebrate the school's 100th anniversary. The total construction cost is expected to be about VND100 billion (US$45,500).

The school's Director Tran Thi Lua said the school had 45 classes with a total of 1,700 students. Several areas of the school have deteriorated and have been closed to all activities.

During the construction of the new school, the students will temporarily study at An Khanh High School in the city's Ninh Kieu District.

"The demolition of the school has saddened many people, but I think the new construction, which will remain faithful to the old architecture, will help the school preserve its old style. In particular, it can ensure the security of the students. So I think this construction is very necessary," Lua said.

Since its foundation, the school has been highly appreciated for its original French architecture and for nurturing several talented musicians, writers and revolutionaries of the country.

VNS