The story of young people 'sowing words in the highlands !

Different from teachers trained to teach in big cities, teachers in highland areas always have to bear more difficulties and hardships. Nevertheless, every year there are still thousands of young teachers who volunteer to bring knowledge to children in remote and rugged areas.

Teaching is inherently a profession of sacrifice and dedication. Especially for teachers in highland areas, their duty is not only to teach but also a mission to rise above, overcoming geographical, cultural, and lifestyle difficulties to bring dreams to the children of remote regions. In the atmosphere of Vietnam Teacher's Day taking place nationwide, let's listen to the sentiments of these young exemplary teachers working in some schools in the northern mountainous areas.

Students are the motivation for teachers to stay committed to their schools and communities.

With nearly 10 years of work in the education field, teacher Hoàng Diễm (29 years old) has devoted his youth to the district of Đồng Văn, Hà Giang province. During this time, he has gained enough experience to deeply understand the difficulties faced by teachers and students in the highland areas.

As shared, there was a time when Hoàng Diễm had to travel 40km and walk an additional 10km to reach the school where he taught. Later, he was transferred to work at the Boarding Primary School of Ma Lé in Ma Lé commune, Đồng Văn district, Hà Giang province (12km away from his home). Being close to ethnic minority children every day, Hoàng Diễm always understands their hardships. Limitations in communication language, impoverished family life, long distances to travel to school, and obstacles... are the things that hinder the educational opportunities for children in this area.

Hoàng Diễm confides: "The biggest motivation for me and many other teachers in remote areas to choose to dedicate ourselves here is for the future of these children. Overcoming difficulties, seeing the innocent and bright smiles of the children makes me extremely happy. They are able to attend school, have somewhat better meals, and wear nicer clothes. Despite facing many challenges, the children still strive to attend school regularly, obediently follow the teachers' instructions." It is for this reason that teachers in remote areas always dedicate a lot of time to their students. In addition to teaching academic knowledge in the classroom, Hoàng Diễm also teaches life skills, performing arts to enhance the confidence of ethnic minority children.

Wholeheartedly for beloved students.

After graduating from university, teacher Và Thị Kia (23 years old) returned to her hometown and took on the role of homeroom teacher for class 2A5 at Bản Mới School - a combined primary and secondary school in Bắc Yên town, Bắc Yên district, Sơn La province. As a Mong ethnic person, Kia has always dreamed of becoming a teacher to bring literacy to her village. The class Kia is in charge of has only 10 students, among whom 7 come from poor families, 1 from a near-poor family, and 2 from families with many siblings, facing financial difficulties.

When talking about her students, Và Kia expressed: "The students here are all from the Mong ethnic group, so they have many limitations in communicating in Vietnamese. Therefore, their learning becomes more difficult. Sometimes, when they don't understand, I have to explain in the ethnic language to guide them. Many of them have parents who work far away and live with their grandparents, so they lack attention. Sometimes they come to class without a pen to write with, and there's no one at home to teach them. In winter, many of them don't have warm clothes to wear. Some families cannot afford shoes, so they have to wear sandals in the cold winter. When I see them like this, I know I need to try even harder.

To be closer to her students, Và Kia chose to stay near the school so she wouldn't have to travel the nearly 30km distance from her home. Every day, the Mong ethnic teacher puts her whole heart into each lesson, along with sharing her thoughts and encouraging the children to strive despite difficult circumstances, to become useful members of society. Và Kia herself is also a shining example for her students to follow.

Continuing the legacy of "planting literacy in highland areas".

Emerging from the Boarding School for Talented Students (ATK) in Sơn Dương, Sơn Dương district, Tuyên Quang province, the boy Tiến Mạnh has now become a History teacher at this very school. As a Nung ethnic student, he started studying and living in a boarding environment from the 6th grade. Now, Tiến Mạnh has grown up and continues to follow in the footsteps of the teachers who have embarked on the noble mission with the generations of ethnic minority students.

Tiến Mạnh shared: "After graduating from Hanoi Pedagogical University, despite having many options, I wanted to contribute my efforts to my alma mater to bring knowledge to ethnic minority students like myself. Being in contact with students at the school, I see myself again, from the days of struggling to become independent to the mature person I am today.

From his own image many years ago, Tiến Mạnh understands the difficulties of ethnic minority boarding students such as accommodation, daily life at school, innocence, and the constant longing for family ingrained in their minds. Therefore, in his role as a teacher, Tiến Mạnh is always caring, attentive, and advises students as if they were his own children.

It is truly proud and deeply appreciated to know about the young teachers in remote areas who volunteer to stay committed to their schools and communities for the sake of their students. On the occasion of Vietnamese Teacher's Day on November 20th, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to them.