Supporting the dreams of highland students to go to school.

Over nearly 30 years of construction and development, Ha Tinh Ethnic Boarding Junior and Senior High School has become a second home for many generations of ethnic minority students and those from disadvantaged families.

Living more than 80 km from home to school, and having to adapt to life away from family at an early age, Nguyen Vi Hoang Long (9th grade, Man Thanh ethnic minority, residing in Son Kim 2 commune) has always received dedicated care from his teachers and support from government policies. Thanks to this, for many years, he has consistently achieved excellent academic results, ranking among the top students in his school.

"After four years of studying at Ha Tinh Ethnic Boarding Secondary and High School, I have matured a lot. Initially, I faced many difficulties due to homesickness and unfamiliarity with the boarding school environment, but thanks to the care of teachers, friends, and the school, I have gained more motivation to strive for excellence in my studies," shared Nguyen Vi Hoang Long.

With the desire to provide equal learning opportunities for students in remote and disadvantaged areas, over the past five years, the French non-profit, non- governmental organization WiFEC has supported online learning equipment for primary schools in Huong Thuy, Huong Lam, Phu Gia, etc., with a total value of hundreds of millions of VND. This activity is part of the "Minischool" project, contributing to motivating teachers and students to strive for excellence in their educational journey in the highlands.

Representatives from WiFEC handed over the online classroom to Huong Lam Primary School in Huong Xuan commune.

Huong Thuy Primary School in Huong Pho commune is the first school in Ha Tinh province to receive support from the non-profit, non-governmental organization WiFEC, which provided 26 computers and equipment for online learning, and also signed an agreement to organize free English classes for students.

“This support is especially meaningful for the school's staff, teachers, and students. Located in a low-lying area, frequently affected by storms and heavy rain, teachers and students still face many difficulties. With the 26 computers provided, the school has effectively used them in teaching both English and Information Technology,” said Ms. Dang Thi Thu Hoe, Principal of Huong Thuy Primary School, Huong Pho Commune.

The first online classroom was supported by WiFEC for Huong Thuy Primary School in Huong Pho commune three years ago.

In implementing the policies and guidelines of the Party and the State, the work of developing education and training in ethnic minority and mountainous areas has become increasingly effective.

Besides the attention of local authorities, organizations, and the efforts of the staff and teachers to overcome difficulties, the support of the border guard forces through programs and models such as "Adopted Children of Border Guard Posts," "Helping Children Go to School," etc., has also contributed to bringing about many positive changes to education in special areas and border regions.

Soldiers from Phu Gia Border Guard Post, in coordination with teachers from Phu Gia Primary School, teach Lao to students at the Phu Lam village school branch in Huong Khe commune.

Mr. Phan Quoc Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phuc Trach commune, said: "We highly appreciate the role of the border guards. They are like teachers in military uniforms, not only eradicating illiteracy among the elderly but also coordinating with schools and local authorities to care for and support children in their studies. We have achieved level 2 literacy, universal primary and secondary education at level 3, and implemented the national goal of poverty reduction in ethnic minority areas."

Although the path to school for students in mountainous areas remains fraught with difficulties, with the persistent support of local Party committees, authorities, organizations, and the community, their dreams of attending school are being nurtured every day. The school attendance rate has increased significantly, and the quality of both general and advanced education has improved year after year. These results contribute to the implementation of the Party and State's major policies on placing people at the center of development, ensuring that no one is left behind.