Special class in H'Mong village
In the last days of August, in the small classroom of Hang Kia A Primary and Secondary School, the loud reading sound resounded. The sweat-filled faces and single-minded eyes of the H'Mong children lit up with excitement.
This is a special class a Vietnamese class for children opened during the summer vacation, maintained regularly for the past 4 years thanks to the heart of teacher Giang Thi Sao.
Kia Cave is a land in the old Hoa Binh province - isolated, considered the "gateway to heaven" because it is located at an altitude of over 1,300 meters above sea level. Here, the whole year is covered in clouds, the life of the H'Mong people is still difficult, children mainly communicate only in indigenous languages. When entering grade 1, many students did not know the common language, were shy and avoided teachers.
In 2012, when she returned to work at Hang Kia A Primary and Secondary School, Ms. Giang Thi Sao understood that disadvantage. Previously, the children were very shy, every time they saw the teacher, they ran away. Linguistic disagreements have created gaps between teachers and students as well as difficulties in the field of knowledge. The children are not fluent in common language, so they do not know what the teachers are saying or conveying to absorb, she recalled.
From that concern, she opened a Vietnamese class in the summer. Initially, with only a few students, she had to go to each house to mobilize. Gradually, the people understood the meaning, the classroom increased, and now most of the children preparing for grade 1 are participating. "Just seeing my children more confident when they go to school gives me more motivation to maintain the class," said Ms. Sao.
Ms. Sao's two oldest children became "teacher assistants", along with their mother teaching the children. Many colleagues also participated. Ms. Sao said that the class was always bustling with laughter because of the innocent answers: I remember once asking my children about their dreams in the future, an innocent student said he wanted to do a job as a thief. He doesn't understand the meaning of the words, just imitates something, making it both funny and loving."
Sowing future seeds
After four years of perseverance, the simple summer class has brought about change. From shy children, they now confidently greet and chat naturally in Vietnamese. Like Vang Nguyen Giap, preparing for grade 1, replied clearly: "When I grow up, I want to be a police officer". That innocence made the whole class laugh, but it was also a clear testament to the teachers' efforts.
Not only teachers, parents also see the difference. Ms. Giang Y Do, whose child is about to enter grade 1, shared: Before, I only spoke H'Mong language, and when I saw a stranger, I ran away. Now she knows how to greet teachers and also practices talking to customers. I was so happy, I didn't think my child would change so quickly."
Ms. Song Thi Tong, a colleague of Ms. Sao, confided: In class, sometimes we teach and translate in H'Mong. The children are very disadvantaged, so there is only one way to persevere so that they can be bold and gradually erase the distance from school".
Ms. Ngan Thi Lam, Principal of Hang Kia A Primary and Secondary School, has also been attached to this land for nearly a decade. The happiest thing for her is the daily changes of the village.
"Students are disadvantaged because of the difficult area and the effects of drugs. The whole school has more than 400 students, of which about 40 students have relatives involved in drug addiction. Vietnamese classes for children taught by Ms. Sao have helped them have Vietnamese capital, overcome their inferiority complex to study better, Ms. Lam shared.
Vietnamese language classes are completely free. Ms. Sao only hopes that parents will accompany them by communicating with their children in common language when at home. Thus, the children will certainly be equipped with good Vietnamese capital to be ready and confident to enter class, she said.
With her contributions, Ms. Sao was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Ministry of Education and Training for her outstanding achievements in the emulation movement "Innovation, creativity in management, teaching and learning", school year 2024 - 2025.
In the August sunlight that is accompanying Hang Kia valley, there are still clouds and planks, the words that Ms. Sao sowed today are quietly building the bridge for tomorrow. And from that small classroom on the mountainside, the clear dream of the H'Mong boy wanting to become a police officer resounded as a beautiful signal for an open future.
