Huu Duc Village, a Village of Studious Learners

Overcoming difficulties in studying

One early spring day, we visited Huu Duc village. The peaceful village was surrounded by golden rice fields ready for harvest; the houses were spacious and featured the unique architecture of the Cham people. In the village's community center, Mr. Thuan Van Tai, now 70 years old, was meticulously preparing lesson plans to teach the Cham script. Mr. Tai, a graduate in Mathematics from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education since 1979, has four children who are all masters, engineers, and bachelors working in various agencies and units in the province. Mr. Tai explained that over 70% of the population in Huu Duc is Cham, and their lives have been closely tied to farming since ancient times. Despite poverty, generations of Cham people have highly valued education, instructing their children that only through learning and expanding their knowledge can they become successful and help their families and homeland escape poverty. "To encourage the learning spirit of our descendants, in each clan, the clan leaders go around mobilizing families to establish a Scholarship Fund. Children who achieve high academic results receive monetary rewards. Although the scholarship fund is not large, it has motivated and encouraged our children's studies. With that spirit, the scholarship promotion movement in Huu Duc village is spreading more and more," Mr. Tai shared.

Huu Duc Cultural Village.

Welcoming us into her spacious new home, Mrs. Du Thi Anh (68 years old) showed us the certificates and awards recognizing her children's academic achievements. Having lost her husband early, Mrs. Anh worked tirelessly to raise nine children through university. Currently, her children are all successful, some working in government agencies, others in businesses, and some as teachers. Smiling contentedly as she spoke about her children, Mrs. Anh shared: “In the past, although everyone in the village was poor, we all shared the same wish: that our children would get a good education, become good people, escape poverty, and live happily. To support my children's education, I worked in the fields and busied myself with trading; sometimes, when my children lacked tuition fees, I had to scramble to find money. Aware of our family's circumstances, my children were very well-behaved, loving towards their parents, and thrifty; the older ones encouraged the younger ones to study, and after graduation, they found jobs on their own. Now, seeing my children succeed, I am incredibly happy and proud.”

Upholding the tradition of valuing education.

In this rural area, it's not difficult to find families with children who have achieved academic success. Typical examples include Mr. Dang Nang Tro, whose three children are engineers and one is a PhD in economics ; Mr. Dat Nam, whose three children are doctors; Mr. Ba Van Trinh, whose six children include three with university degrees and one with a master's degree; and Mr. Phu Van Dien, whose four children are engineers, doctors, and teachers... These examples demonstrate that achieving knowledge and success in life is not solely due to a wealthy family background, but rather to determination, effort, perseverance, and creativity in learning.

Mrs. Du Thi Anh flipped through the certificates of merit and academic achievements of her children and grandchildren.

Ms. Han Thi Duong, currently a teacher at Dong Dau Secondary School (Phuoc Huu commune), shared: “I am extremely proud of the village's tradition of valuing education. Successful people who have left their hometowns always contribute to the movement of valuing education. In my teaching work as well as in educating my children and grandchildren, I always use the examples of academically successful people in the village to encourage future generations to continue that tradition of valuing education.”

Mr. Phu Anh Lan, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Phuoc Huu commune, said that Huu Duc village is a prime example of the tradition of valuing education in the commune, as well as in the southern part of the province. The tradition of valuing education has been nurtured and preserved through many generations. With the belief that learning is for changing one's life and building the homeland, learning is not only the responsibility of each family but has become a way of life and a shared value of the entire Cham community of Huu Duc. The movement to promote education in Huu Duc is widely maintained, linked to the role of clans, families, and the attention of the local government.

Mr. Thuan Van Tai, now 70 years old, still meticulously prepares lesson plans to teach the Cham script.

Over the years, many generations of children from Huu Duc village have grown up and contributed to society in various fields. Currently, the village has 23 doctors, 32 engineers, 10 high school teachers, and nearly 250 teachers at all levels of preschool, primary, and secondary school (including 1 PhD and 8 Master's degree holders). These numbers are vivid evidence of the strong influence of the tradition of valuing education in this place.

A view of Huu Duc village from above.

What is most commendable is that many successful individuals always look towards their hometown, actively participating in educational support activities and helping the younger generation excel in their studies. This continuous succession between generations helps Huu Duc village preserve its traditions, affirm its position as a model "village of studious people," and make a significant contribution to the development of Phuoc Huu commune in particular and the province in general.

THAI THINH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/giao-duc/202602/lang-hieu-hoc-huu-duc-bd42c92/