Bringing books to students in ethnic minority areas.

Improving Vietnamese language proficiency for students, especially primary school students from ethnic minority areas, is key to helping them master other subjects. Therefore, many practical teaching and learning models have been implemented to make Vietnamese more engaging and interesting for students. Last weekend, Dong Giang Primary and Secondary School (Ham Thuan Bac district) jointly organized a very meaningful and enjoyable activity in the schoolyard: the "Book and Reading Culture Festival".

Students choose books at the mobile library vehicle.

The program didn't start until 7 a.m., but more than 400 students from this school in an ethnic minority area had arrived very early to await the event. Their eyes followed, then surrounded, the provincial library's mobile library vehicle as it came to a stop in front of the schoolyard.

Seemingly understanding the students' enthusiasm, Mr. Nguyen Minh Dat, Principal of Dong Giang Primary and Secondary School, shared: "The school has 610 students, of which over 80% are from ethnic minority groups. Of these, 400 are in primary school and 210 are in secondary school. Their families are still struggling financially, so buying books and stories to read is rare. Although the school has built a 'Green Library' model to help students access more books, the number of titles is still not diverse or appealing. Therefore, receiving additional bookshelves with nearly 1,000 books during the 'Book and Reading Culture Festival' in 2024 will provide teachers and students with more reading materials." In particular, the mobile library's activities are not simply about providing books and stories, but also about helping children access knowledge in various forms, such as internet access, watching TV, developing self-learning and reading skills, teamwork, games, and emotional intelligence tests through films about firefighters… all aimed at improving their knowledge and strengthening their Vietnamese language skills.

img_9933.11.jpg — The mobile library helps children access knowledge in various forms.

Holding a book for teenagers in her hands, K' Thi Chau, an 8th-grade student, excitedly said: "At home, I don't have any books or stories to read, so thanks to school activities, I've been able to read many good books."

Ms. Luong Thi Viet Anh guides students in reading books.

Ms. Luong Thi Viet Anh, homeroom teacher of class 5B, who has 24 years of teaching experience in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, said: "Most parents are busy with economic activities and pay little attention to their children's education. Even if they have the opportunity to go to the district center or Phan Thiet city, they only buy toys and food, not take their children to bookstores. Since the children's daily communication language is their ethnic language, to enhance their Vietnamese language skills and knowledge, teachers always encourage students to read aloud to each other, read during morning assemblies, and find supplementary materials for each subject to expand their knowledge and apply what they have learned to real life. In addition, students are required to participate in lessons and interact with teachers to improve the quality of the lessons, contributing to raising the reading culture of students and teachers."

Department leaders and teachers read books together with students.

The image of department leaders and teachers participating in reading with students at the reading culture festival in the courtyard of Dong Giang Primary and Secondary School is truly heartwarming and meaningful. Mr. Nguyen Le Thanh – Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications – said: In the coming years, the festival will continue to be prioritized for organization at the grassroots level, in disadvantaged areas, contributing to the donation of knowledge and creating lasting values to develop the reading movement in the community.

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