Caring for and educating children in border areas.

In the heart of the border region of Long Phieng commune, Son Ca Kindergarten always resounds with songs. From the central school to 17 satellite locations, the teachers are overcoming difficulties, diligently caring for, educating, and nurturing the dreams of young children every day.

Visiting Son Ca Kindergarten, we noticed the clean and beautiful school grounds with plenty of outdoor toys. Visiting the classrooms, we saw that in winter, the classrooms were carpeted, clean, and warm. Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Hoa, the school principal, said: Currently, the central school has 38 rooms, including 17 classrooms and 21 functional rooms, basically meeting the needs of teaching and learning. In particular, in 2025, through social mobilization efforts, the school raised over 1.47 billion VND to build two classrooms, staff quarters, restrooms, and a playground; add outdoor toys; and install water filters at disadvantaged school locations.

To ensure the comprehensive care, nurturing, and education of children, 100% of the management staff and teachers have received standardized training. The school currently has 30 staff and teachers; although there is a shortage of teachers compared to the standard, the teaching staff remains dedicated to their classes and communities, maintaining student numbers and educational quality. At the end of the year, over 91% of teachers achieved excellent ratings, reflecting their sense of responsibility in their professional work.

A lesson between the teacher and children at Son Ca Kindergarten.

In the 2025-2026 school year, Son Ca Kindergarten will have 394 children attending the half-day program, including 100 five-year-olds, distributed across 17 classes at various school locations. The daily meal allowance of 17,000 VND per child is used flexibly, ensuring nutritious meals suitable to the conditions of the mountainous region. As a result, the rate of malnutrition among children has decreased significantly; specifically, 100% of five-year-olds have achieved normal weight, and the rate of stunting has dropped to only 2%.

In addition, at the beginning of each school year, school staff and teachers go down to the villages to promote and encourage parents to send 100% of their 5-year-old children to school, firmly maintaining the results of universal preschool education for 5-year-olds.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ky, from Quynh Phieng village, shared: "My child is well cared for by the school, eating on time, sleeping regularly, and having their health monitored frequently. Since starting school, my child is healthier, gets sick less often, and my family feels very secure sending them to school so that the parents can focus on labor, production, and economic development."

Outdoor play area for students of Son Ca Kindergarten

To improve the quality of education, right from the beginning of the school year, the school has developed thematic programs such as: "Building a child-centered preschool" and "Strengthening Vietnamese language skills for ethnic minority children". In the 2025-2026 school year, 100% of ethnic minority children will receive enhanced Vietnamese language instruction through learning and play activities, helping them to communicate confidently and reduce language barriers when transitioning to the next grade. In addition, STEAM educational activities are integrated through games and experiences, helping children develop observational thinking, exploration skills, and teamwork skills. Children are also introduced to English through songs, pictures, and simple games, creating an initial language foundation from the preschool level.

Children are taught personal hygiene.

Prioritizing children's safety, the school implements comprehensive measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and diseases. 100% of children receive health monitoring and check-ups twice a year; the school also collaborates with the local health station to administer vaccinations and preventative measures as required. Throughout the school year, no outbreaks of disease or serious accidents occurred at the school, providing peace of mind for parents sending their children to class.

An outdoor lesson for the teacher and children at Son Ca Kindergarten.

With the attention of all levels and sectors, the joint efforts of the community, and the tireless efforts of the staff and teachers, Son Ca Kindergarten is gradually overcoming difficulties and improving the quality of care, nurturing, and education for children in the highlands. The achievements have contributed to consolidating the universalization of preschool education for 5-year-olds; creating an important foundation for children's comprehensive development in physical, intellectual, and life skills, preparing them with a solid foundation to confidently enter the next level of education.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/khoa-giao/cham-care-giao-duc-tre-em-vung-bien-rKQQp3Gvg.html