What is the main conflict in In the Kindergarten by Ha Jin?

The story takes place in a time of conflict as evidenced by the fighter jets spotted in the sky. They have recently sprayed dichlorvos to get rid of the abundant mosquitoes and fleas. This kind of pesticide use is now considered unsafe because we know that exposure can cause damage to the central nervous system in humans and other animals. It is also a time of conflict for the kindergarten children as they learn how to handle themselves independent from their parents and in a new social setting.