Sowing letters in the border areas: The journey of 'going to every alley, knocking on every door'

In August, the hot and humid weather at the Tan Dong border (Tan Dong commune, Tay Ninh province) seems to be even more intense. However, on the dusty red dirt roads, the image of Principal Le Van Bao of Tan Dong Primary School and teachers traveling to each hamlet and each simple house has become familiar.

They are not campaigning for any grand project, but shoulder a higher mission: calling on every Khmer child to go to class, ready for the new school year.

The journey of spreading knowledge in this land has never been easy. It is a silent battle with poverty, language barriers and customs. There, the only "weapons" of teachers are love and infinite perseverance.

Special school on the border

Established in 1995, Tan Dong Primary School bears the mark of an educational unit in a difficult area. The school currently has three separate locations, located 4 to 6 km from the main location. Of which, Tam Pho is almost a "separate world", as 100% of the students are children of Khmer ethnic people. The facilities are still lacking; the playground, the training ground, and the fence are still just temporary and simple items.

According to Mr. Le Van Bao - Principal of Tan Dong Primary School, the whole school has 427 students, of which 171 are ethnic minorities, accounting for more than 40%. Difficulties come not only from material conditions but also from invisible barriers. Many families have parents working far away in Cambodia, so the children have to live with their grandparents, who are not fluent in Vietnamese.

“Communicating with parents is also extremely difficult, because many families do not have smartphones or use Zalo. If teachers want to communicate, sometimes they have to ask the 4th and 5th graders to act as interpreters,” Mr. Bao shared.

Students of Tan Dong Primary School (Tan Dong Commune, Tay Ninh Province).

According to the Principal of Tan Dong Primary School, the school's difficulties do not stop there. The school was assigned a staff of 34 people but currently has only 27 officers, teachers and employees. There are seven positions missing, including important subjects such as English, Information Technology, and clerical and medical positions. The burden is therefore placed on the remaining people, but they have not been discouraged for a single day. The ratio of 1.37 teachers per class is a telling figure, reflecting the extraordinary efforts of the school community to ensure that teaching and learning are not interrupted.

In a "trial by fire" place like Tan Dong, especially at Tam Pho school, love for the profession and love for students are not just slogans, but are shown through simple, everyday, yet extremely noble actions.

Ms. Chu Phuong Uyen, a teacher who has been with the class for many years, shared that her husband works in Ho Chi Minh City, and mother and child can only reunite on rare holidays and Tet.

During the summer, instead of resting, she traveled to each student's house to visit them, help them review their lessons, and prepare books for the new school year.

“I just hope that the children can read and write and go to school to escape poverty and suffering. Especially for those who follow their parents to Cambodia to work, I always try to contact them and remind them to return on the first day of school,” Ms. Uyen confided.

At the school, there are some teachers who are Khmer ethnic people like Ms. Lam Thi Ra - who received 5 years of formal training in Khmer language in Cambodia. Despite her difficult family circumstances, she still wholeheartedly brings her knowledge back to serve her homeland, becoming an invaluable cultural bridge between teachers and students, between the school and parents.
MR. Le Van Bao, Principal of Tan Dong Primary School

Besides, with the desire that no student will be illiterate, for over 10 years, there are still teachers who travel more than 60 km by bus every day to school and back.

"It is the deep understanding of language and customs and the silent sacrifices that have helped to untie many knots in the mobilization work. All teachers here are loved, respected and appreciated by parents. That is the greatest reward, and also the motivation for us to continue to stick together and contribute," Mr. Bao shared.

"Go to every alley, knock on every door"

Faced with the situation of students being confused and dropping out of school, the board of directors of Tan Dong Primary School determined that they could not sit and wait for the students to come to class, but had to be proactive, had to go and had to come. From there, a strategy of "going to every alley, knocking on every door" was systematically built and implemented with the highest determination.

As early as January each year, the school assigns teachers to review and grasp the list of children of the age to prepare for first grade, and enthusiastically guide parents in making birth certificates and other necessary procedures. By the end of July, the most important "campaign" officially begins.

“My dedicated teachers and I, regardless of the long distance or the harsh sun, went to each student’s home. We also asked for the support of the Hamlet Chief and Village Elder to join hands in persuading them,” Mr. Bao confided.

Not only stopping at the advocacy, the school also connects with benefactors, donates books, clothes, and cakes to support and motivate the children. Love is spread, care is shown through concrete actions, imbued with affection in the border area.

The principal and teachers visited and encouraged Thi Chan Ri, a 3B student, to prepare for the new school year.

The dedication of those who spread knowledge in the border areas has been rewarded with unexpected “sweet fruits”. The number of students attending class has increased and become more regular. They are no longer shy and hesitant, but instead are confident and eager to learn.

From knowing how to read and write Vietnamese, people's awareness has gradually increased, and life has improved day by day. The rate of re-illiteracy has decreased significantly, and universal education has been maintained at a high level.

The effectiveness of training and the rate of age-appropriate learning have both made significant progress. Literacy has truly become the “golden key” that opens the door to the future for poor children in the border areas.

“The results are truly beyond our expectations. The children are making progress, enjoying school more, and their parents are also paying more attention. Seeing our students receive certificates of merit, complete primary school and confidently enter secondary school, and some even enter ethnic boarding schools, all our fatigue disappears,” the Principal emotionally shared.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/geo-chu-vung-bien-gioi-hanh-trinh-di-tung-ngo-go-tung-nha-post744876.html