The first place we visited was Tao Van Moi kindergarten and primary school, perched on a hill halfway up the mountainside. This is one of the most isolated and difficult-to-reach schools in the commune, currently maintaining two classes with 32 students aged between 3 and 7 years old. All the children are from the Mong ethnic group.

The classroom, though built sturdily, is sparsely furnished. The teaching equipment, toys, desks, and chairs are old, and the limited space and lack of a proper playground for the children highlight the many challenges the school faces.

At the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, teacher Lo Thi Van was assigned to teach at Tao Van Moi satellite school. Reflecting on her first days there, she shared: "Most of the students here come from poor families, and many of them aren't fluent in the national language, feeling shy when they first arrive at school. Their parents work far away, leaving them with their grandparents, so they don’t always come to school regularly. Some days, I have to go to their homes to encourage them to attend class. We not only care for them but also teach them to read, write, and develop life skills, patiently guiding them to make progress and come to class consistently."

With nearly 100% of the students coming from the ethnic minority group, teachers here use the simplest and most accessible methods to deliver lessons. For primary school students whose ability to communicate in Vietnamese is limited, teachers often speak both Vietnamese and Mong languages to guide them through reading and writing exercises. They also encourage students to practice speaking Vietnamese during lessons, focusing on pronunciation to help them improve step by step, bridging the gap caused by the language barrier.

The school currently has two teachers who are responsible for teaching both the kindergarten and combined primary classes (Grades 1 and 2). Due to the remote location and difficult travel, the teachers often stay at the school for a whole week. To make up for the lack of resources for the students, these teachers have created their own teaching materials and toys using plastic bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. These simple, yet creative and thoughtful items reflect their dedication and passion for teaching, making learning more enjoyable for the children each day.

Tao Van Moi is a particularly disadvantaged hamlet in Chieng Hoa, with 134 households and 835 people, all of them belong to the Mong ethnic group. Sung A Senh, Secretary of the Party cell and head of the hamlet, shared: "Life here is still very difficult, with production mainly based on farming, and incomes are unstable. The hilly terrain and challenging roads, especially during the rainy season, greatly affect daily life and children's education. People hope the Government will soon invest in better roads and facilities for the school so that both teachers and students can feel secure in teaching and learning."

In recent years, the close cooperation between the school, teachers, and families has significantly improved student attendance at the school. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the attendance rate exceeded 98%, with no students dropping out and 100% of students completing the required primary school curriculum.

Mua A Son, a parent whose child is currently in Grade 2 at the satellite school, shared: “In the past, many families only let their children study until Grade 3 or Grade 4 before keeping them at home to work in the fields. Now, thanks to the teachers’ encouragement and explanations, my family understands that education is the only path out of poverty. Therefore, despite the hardships, we make every effort to ensure our child attends school regularly.”

Nguyen Thi Huong, Principal of Chieng Cong Kindergarten in Chieng Hoa commune, said: “In addition to the main school at the commune centre, we manage 14 satellite schools in 15 hamlets, most of which are in especially difficult areas. Currently, we have 25 teachers and staff, but this number is still insufficient, requiring teachers to work hard in challenging conditions. To reduce pressure and motivate teachers to stay in their roles long-term, we rotate teaching assignments at different satellite schools and continuously encourage and support our teachers to stay committed to their work."

Amidst the mountains of Tao Van Moi, the sound of children reading aloud echoes like a pure symphony, warming the quiet atmosphere. Here, each letter represents a seed of hope for the future of children growing up in such a difficult mountainous region. Despite the challenges, with the love and dedication of their teachers, these young students will grow up, moving towards a brighter tomorrow.