Skills education for ethnic minority students

As a mountainous border province with over 30 ethnic groups, of which more than 66% are ethnic minorities, Lao Cai has always considered educating students in skills and enhancing their social understanding as a crucial task. In recent years, the Department of Education and Training, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and UNICEF Vietnam, has implemented many exchange, experiential, and creative learning activities for ethnic minority students, such as gender equality, children's rights, environmental protection, and disaster prevention.

The extracurricular training session on smart schools adapting to climate change at Phuc Khanh No. 1 Primary and Secondary School (Phuc Khanh commune) was very lively. Students enthusiastically participated in group activities such as drawing, storytelling, and quizzes. Each group presented their ideas in a different way, but all revolved around the theme of learning about climate change, the types of extreme weather events that often occur in the mountainous region where they live, how to recognize them, and skills to prevent natural disasters.

Hoang Anh Quan, a 9th-grade student, happily shared his thoughts after participating in a Q&A session with his classmates: "I found the program very enjoyable and beneficial. In my area, we often experience extreme weather events, such as prolonged heavy rain, land subsidence, and landslides. Therefore, the skills to recognize and prevent these events are very important to us. This extracurricular program has helped us develop these skills."

Extracurricular activities at Phuc Khanh No. 1 Primary and Secondary School are part of the "Smart School, Adapting to Climate Change" model, implemented within the framework of the "Emergency Support Plan to Address Damage and Recover After Typhoon No. 3 in Lao Cai Province" supported by UNICEF. The program is held at Phuc Khanh No. 1 Primary and Secondary School – where many students come from Lang Nu (an area recently affected by a natural disaster in September 2024) – making it even more meaningful and practical.

Ms. Hoang Thi Mai Hoa, Deputy Principal of Phuc Khanh No. 1 Primary and Secondary School, said: “In 2024, many natural disasters occurred in Phuc Khanh commune. Students and teachers witnessed and were affected by these catastrophes for the first time, so participating in extracurricular activities on environmental issues was truly beneficial. Students gained a lot of useful knowledge to share with their friends and the community about disaster response skills and adaptation to climate change.”

Beyond directly targeting students, the Department of Education and Training, in collaboration with UNICEF Vietnam, also focuses on enhancing the knowledge and skills of teachers through training courses, group discussions, and expert consultations. Training content includes skills in handling unusual weather situations; providing psychological and emotional support to students and teachers after natural disasters; and methods for building safe schools. Through each program, teachers will become key figures in their localities in disseminating knowledge and improving their ability to respond to climate change among colleagues and students.

Ms. Trieu Thi Hoa Dao, Deputy Principal of Pa Cheo Ethnic Boarding Primary School (Ban Xeo commune), shared: “We have redesigned the training program to implement it for all teachers in the schools. From there, the teachers continue to develop lessons, counseling programs, and consultations to support students, parents, and the community where they work.”

Along with training programs, to enhance understanding and educate skills for ethnic minority students, the Provincial Department of Education and Training has coordinated with the Ministry of Education and Training and UNICEF in Vietnam to implement many exchange, experiential, and creative learning activities for ethnic minority students, focusing on topics such as gender equality, children's rights, environmental protection, and disaster prevention.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tuong Duy Hai (Hanoi Pedagogical University) - a psychology expert selected by UNICEF in Vietnam as a lecturer for the sharing program: “This is a very effective activity. After experiencing the impact of the storms, teachers and students are introduced to both theoretical foundations and methods of prevention. In particular, based on school criteria, teachers clearly identify areas for improvement to minimize damage.”

Ms. Tran Phuong Anh, Deputy Head of the General Education Department of the Lao Cai Provincial Department of Education and Training, stated: The Lao Cai Provincial Department of Education and Training, in collaboration with various organizations, has been strengthening the education of ethnic minority students on gender equality, children's rights, environmental protection, and disaster prevention through a variety of engaging activities. Beyond simple question-and-answer sessions, students participate in short plays and role-playing. This theatrical format helps them reinforce their knowledge, build confidence, proactively explore issues, and enhance their skills and self-assurance.

In the 2025-2026 school year, Lao Cai province will have 175 ethnic minority boarding schools, with 147 schools having boarding students, totaling over 60,000 students. These students are the main target group of the program. Given the complex terrain and unpredictable weather patterns, many schools in disadvantaged areas are often severely affected by natural disasters. The support activities of the education sector and UNICEF have significantly contributed to helping ethnic minority students improve their life skills and risk response skills; while also helping teachers and local communities strengthen their knowledge and build a safe and sustainable school environment.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/giao-duc-ky-nang-cho-hoc-sinh-dan-toc-thieu-so-post887525.html