The popular class in Hiep Thanh Ngoc Viet ward (Tan Thoi Hiep ward) is the name of the class founded by Mr. Huynh Quang Khai (born in 1993) in 2008 and maintained until now.
Currently, the class has 27 students, mainly aged 8-15, who are students in difficult circumstances and do not have the opportunity to go to school.
Mr. Khai said that at that time, there were many children in the neighborhood who were miserable, in difficult circumstances, and could not go to class. Pitying them, he and some friends opened free literacy classes to help them learn to read, write and live more decently.
"The first goal of the class is not only teaching letters, but also teaching personality," Mr. Khai emphasized.
"If a child is not personable, learning to read and write will hardly bring long-term benefits. Therefore, discipline, order and living habits are always given top priority before they start learning to read and write, learning the rules of the law," he said.
The current schedule of the class takes place from Monday to Friday. Working hours and eating and drinking start from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and school hours are from around 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mr. Khai shared that during the 17-year journey, the class has gone through many different difficulties. In the past, parents did not attach importance to studying, now they are more conscious, but are overwhelmed by economic pressure. Many families still have to let their children stay home from school early to work to help their parents.
Another challenge comes from social networks: too early contact causes many children to get caught up in trends, dreaming of distant things, leading to changes in behavior and wrong orientation in life.
To maintain the class, Mr. Khai often calls for support through social networks, promoting meals for students. He shared that his family is his greatest spiritual support, giving him more determination to stay in class for nearly two decades.
What made him happiest was the change of his students: From not knowing how to hold a pen, being shy and lacking discipline, now they know how to write, keep hygiene, respect others and integrate more into the community.
"That is the biggest motivation for me to continue maintaining the class, even though I sometimes encounter many difficulties," Mr. Khai confided.
Mr. Khai's biggest wish is that parents should appreciate their children's education more, and the community understands the long-term value of education compared to immediate benefits.
He said: "If parents were aware and accompanying me, the future of many children would be different."
Nguyen Hoang Nam (15 years old) has been attached to the class since the beginning of 2021. He said that his sister brought him to study thanks to a neighbor's introduction.
"At first, when I arrived at class, my child was both happy and nervous. There are many special things here, the teachers are very sociable, and everyone is cute," Nam recalled.
Nam's family is in difficult circumstances. His father had a stroke, his mother and sister helped sell ornamental plants to make a living. "There were times when I thought about quitting school, but then told myself to try, because only studying can help me change my future," Nam confided.
When asked about her dream, she said: "I hope to study higher and have a better future. I thank Mr. Khai for teaching me, helping me and many other students in difficult circumstances to go to school".
