Accompanying disadvantaged students

Amidst the hardships of Tra Giap commune, the model of "Party members accompanying disadvantaged students" is not only a clever way of mass mobilization, but also a beautiful story about the responsibility of Party members and the aspiration to keep students in the highlands with letters.

Party members and teachers of Vo Thi Sau Primary and Secondary Boarding School visited and encouraged families of students in difficult circumstances. Photo: NGUYEN BINH

Closely follow each situation

The slippery red dirt road leading to the villages and roofs of Tra Giap commune is still littered with traces of the recent flood. On that road, the figures of principal Phan Duy Bien and party members and teachers of Vo Thi Sau Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities regularly appear in front of the small house of Dinh Bao Tram (4th grade student).

“Tram lost her mother so it was very difficult. Every month we took a little bit of her salary, sometimes to buy clothes, sometimes a little rice, a box of instant noodles... mainly to encourage her, to let her know she was not alone in this mountainous area,” said Mr. Bien, his voice hoarse in the cold air of the highlands.

Bao Tram's story is just one of dozens of cases that the Party Cell of Vo Thi Sau Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities has accompanied for nearly two years. The clever mass mobilization model "Party members accompany disadvantaged students" was deployed from the beginning of 2024, starting with 16 party members helping 8 students with the most difficult circumstances. Each student has two to three party members to take care of them, they are like relatives always by their side to provide timely support.

Not gifts for holidays, nor the type of gifts that are given on schedule, but the model of "Party members accompanying disadvantaged students" requires regularity, on time, and according to needs.

A new pair of sandals so that students do not have to miss school because of cracked feet; a notebook, a set of clothes, a can of rice or a bottle of cooking oil bought in haste with the teacher's salary; or home visits to encourage parents and advise them to keep their children in class. As teacher Chau Thi Hoang Long said: "Whatever is lacking or needed, we will support them within our ability. As long as the children do not drop out of school."

Two students Nguyen Thi Dang and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Vy were given laptops by their sister unit to aid their studies. Photo: NGUYEN BINH

The effectiveness of the model is not measured by numbers, but by lasting change: 100% of students are accompanied to be more diligent, more confident and no longer drop out of school.

Many Co and Ca Dong families who were previously hesitant to send their children to school now trust and consider teachers as a support. Up to now, the model has spread strongly, all 19 party members of the school's Party Cell have voluntarily participated, considering it as the duty of a party member. Thanks to that, 9 students with the most difficulties have been chosen to accompany them.

Thanks to the connection of teachers, two Co students, Nguyen Thi Dang (grade 7) and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Vy (grade 8), were recently given laptops by their sister unit, Ban Thach ward, to study. Dang, an orphan, choked up when receiving the computer: "This is a dream gift, I never thought I would get it."

Teacher Phan Duy Bien (far left) presented 15 million VND donated by school officials and party members to the Tra Giap commune relief fund on November 14. Photo: NGUYEN BINH

Efforts for students

To implement the model "Party members accompany disadvantaged students", the role of Party Cell Secretary and Principal Phan Duy Bien is very important.

Mr. Hoang Thanh Long, Secretary of the Tra Giap Commune Party Committee, assessed that Mr. Bien is a "model party member, a person who turns love into concrete actions, always closely following each student's situation. On the eve of the celebration of Vietnamese Teachers' Day (November 20) this year, Mr. Bien was honored to be appointed by the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee to join the Executive Committee of the Tra Giap Commune Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term, a worthy recognition for the teacher who has made tireless efforts for students in the highlands.

In early 2025, the model of "Party members accompanying disadvantaged students" of the Party Cell of Vo Thi Sau Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities was also recognized by the Bac Tra My District Party Committee (formerly Quang Nam province) as a typical model of skillful mass mobilization at the district level in 2024 and commended and rewarded. This is a worthy recognition, affirming the value of a humane and practical model.

Tra Giap is a mountainous commune with special difficulties. After the recent natural disaster, many houses, rice fields, and irrigation dams were severely damaged; the livelihoods of local ethnic minorities faced many difficulties.

The whole school currently has about 70 students in special circumstances, while the new companion model can only support and help the 9 most disadvantaged students. "Finding a well-off family is a bit difficult, but there are many poor families in Tra Giap. Therefore, even though we try our best, we can only share a small part and we really need more cooperation from society," said Mr. Bien.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/dong-hanh-hoc-sinh-kho-khan-3310372.html