Ms. Danh Thi Thanh Hong teaches a literacy class. Photo: BICH TUYEN
The joy of going to class
I visited the literacy class one evening in early 2026. A cold north wind blew; inside, the children, dressed in thin clothes and with dirty faces, carefully formed letters and recited in unison, following the rhythm of the teacher's ruler tapping. The class, established by the "For Beloved Children" group in Chau Thanh commune, runs from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM every evening from Monday to Friday. The students are 13 children aged 7-13, from disadvantaged and orphaned backgrounds, most of whom do not live with their parents. Many are past the age for first grade, and some even lack birth certificates, preventing them from attending school.
At 12 years old, an age when she should be in 6th grade, Hoa doesn't even know her full name. Her parents divorced and work far away, leaving Hoa and her two siblings to live with their grandmother. Her days revolve around cooking, washing dishes, taking care of her younger siblings, and putting them to sleep... Hoa confided in a naive voice, "I heard there's a literacy class and I'm so happy! Going to school means I'll learn to read and write, and I'll have friends to play with and snacks to eat." Her father is a fisherman, her mother sells lottery tickets, and her younger brother, Danh Minh Huy, only completed 2nd grade before dropping out. Now 14 years old, having been out of school for so long, Huy no longer remembers the letters of the alphabet. Huy attends the class with a practical but heartbreaking goal: to learn to read and write so he can work as a factory worker later.
Nine-year-old Nguyen Thi Khanh Ngan lives with her grandmother because her parents separated. Khanh Ngan confided, "I really enjoy studying here. When I go home, I study, practice writing, and now I know the letters a, b, and c." Their home is in Binh An commune, about 4km from the class, so every day, Mr. Le Van Tan brings his grandson, Tran Van Giau (9 years old), to the class. Mr. Tan works as a motorbike taxi driver, and his wife is ill and in poor health; their circumstances are very difficult. "My daughter divorced and brought her child to live with my wife and me, but she hasn't completed the residency registration procedures in Binh An commune. Gradually, Giau became too old to attend first grade, so he couldn't go to school. If it weren't for this class, I wouldn't know where to send him to school," Mr. Tan shared.
Sowing seeds without pay
According to Circular No. 28/2020/TT-BGDĐT dated September 4, 2020, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, promulgating the Regulations for Primary Schools, the age of students entering first grade is 6 years old and is calculated by year. Children with disabilities, those with physical or intellectual developmental delays, children in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, children from ethnic minorities, orphaned children without guardians, children returning from abroad, and children of foreigners studying or working in Vietnam may enter first grade at an older age than prescribed, but not more than 3 years older. Therefore, children exceeding the prescribed age are not allowed to attend primary school.
Mr. Quach Hai, head of the "For Beloved Children" group in Chau Thanh commune, said that worried about the bleak future of illiterate children, the group went to each house to encourage illiterate children and adults to attend classes. The group received guidance on the necessary documents and materials for the literacy program from the Chau Thanh Commune Department of Culture and Social Affairs and Minh Luong 1 Primary School. The school's management also provided books and encouraged experienced literacy teachers to teach, ensuring the classes met the requirements and completed the Level 1 curriculum. It is expected that once the children complete Level 1, they will continue with Level 2.
Mr. Lam Van Phuoc, a specialist at the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Chau Thanh commune, said: “The literacy class is very meaningful, creating opportunities for children who do not have the means to attend school to access knowledge, learn to read, write, and do math, thereby improving their lives. At the same time, it contributes to the implementation of universal education and literacy programs in the locality.” Out of compassion for the children's eagerness to learn, a group of teachers from Minh Luong 1 Primary School take turns teaching the class. According to Mr. Quach Hai, the teachers volunteer to teach the children for free, and it took a lot of persuasion before they agreed to let the "For Beloved Children" group contribute to the transportation costs.
Having spent 30 years teaching, Ms. Danh Thi Thanh Hong, a first-grade teacher at Minh Luong 1 Primary School, shared her feelings about teaching literacy classes. Beyond her responsibility, love for her profession, and affection for children, she also felt compassion for those less fortunate. When the children were slow learners, didn't know their lessons, or misbehaved in class, she patiently reminded them and taught them to read and write, stroke by stroke. “We know these children are disadvantaged because they lack material resources, attention, education, love, and care. The simple joy of going to school to learn and play like their friends is something they don't even have. Therefore, we teach wholeheartedly, hoping that they will experience the joy of going to school and gain basic knowledge,” Ms. Hong confided.
The "For Beloved Children" group in Chau Thanh commune has 11 teams that take turns on duty each day. During recess, the children happily eat snacks brought by the group, enjoying the joy of learning and playing with their friends. After each lesson, they make plans with their teacher to come to class the next day. That classroom is not only filled with knowledge but also with joy, comfort, and love, so that the children believe they are not being left behind.
Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/lop-hoc-cua-tinh-yeu-thuong-a473772.html
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