A special "classroom"

QTO - Without a lecture hall or lesson plans, community service activities and community events have become special "classrooms" for unruly teenagers in Ba Don ward. There, they learn to listen, share, take responsibility, and gradually correct the missteps of adolescence, with the support of the local police force.

These work sessions are not just about sweeping up trash.

On a late weekend afternoon, under the still-sweltering sun casting its rays down on the rows of graves at the former Quang Phong Ward Martyrs' Cemetery, schoolboys worked together weeding, sweeping leaves, and collecting trash. These young faces were once those who had shown signs of violating school rules, being playful, skipping classes, associating with troublemakers, or being at risk of breaking the law. Among the students were police officers from the ward, who worked alongside them, guiding, chatting, and being close to them like uncles or older brothers.

Through community service activities and simple community events, many young people who had previously shown deviant behavior have gradually changed their perceptions and actions to return to the right path. TA, a student participating in the event, shared: “I am here because I was not well-behaved before and had inappropriate behaviors. I came to improve myself, to be better for my future. Before, I thought the police officers were strict and unapproachable, but after interacting with them, I found them friendly, approachable, and very caring towards us.”

Police officers from Ba Don ward accompany the children in their self-improvement process - Photo: HL

Instead of resorting to rigid measures, the Ba Don Ward Police are gradually building a model for rehabilitating underprivileged children through companionship, sharing, and giving them opportunities to correct their mistakes. Without imposing rules or creating a sense of discrimination, the children are placed in a welcoming environment to reflect on themselves.

Many parents felt helpless when their children showed signs of declining academic performance, frequent hanging out with friends, or defiance of family. However, after participating in local activities for a period of time, many children have changed for the better, becoming more open and outgoing. On the Ba Don Ward Police's fan page, numerous clips documenting the activities, work, and training of unruly teenagers are posted and consistently receive attention and viewership from a large number of people. Many express their agreement and support, believing that this educational method is humane because it does not push the children away from the community.

Mr. Pham Anh Dung, residing in residential area 5, Quang Phong, Ba Don ward, shared: "In my opinion, children at this age really need guidance. If we only criticize or handle things rigidly, it can easily make them feel inferior or rebellious. This flexible approach to education helps them to learn more easily."

Give them a chance to correct their mistakes.

According to Lieutenant Nguyen Tuyen Quang (Ba Don Ward Police), educating unruly teenagers cannot be solved overnight; it requires time and deep empathy. Behind each case are many different causes: lack of family attention, influence from the living environment, negative impacts from social media, or simply the rebellious psychology of adolescence.

"If you want them to change, you first need to understand what they think and need. Some are influenced by their families due to a lack of attention, while others are led astray by friends. If you only remind them without listening, it will be very difficult for them to open up," Lieutenant Quang said.

With the rapid development of social media and the increasing prevalence of harmful and toxic content, it is inevitable that teenagers will be negatively impacted. Without essential life skills and adequate care and guidance from family, school, and society, they are easily drawn into deviant behaviors. This reality necessitates a reform of education to better suit the psychology of this age group.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Long, Deputy Head of Ba Don Ward Police, said that in the coming time, the unit will continue to expand this model to residential areas and neighborhoods in the ward. In addition to strengthening legal awareness campaigns, the ward police will coordinate with schools and other organizations to organize many healthy recreational activities, such as cultural, sports, and charitable events, to provide children with a more positive environment for development.

In addition, the unit focuses on commending and replicating exemplary youth models and role models, thereby encouraging them to become members and participate in propaganda activities. At the same time, appropriate measures are taken to educate and assist those at risk of violating the law or who are lagging behind.

“Children at this age desperately need guidance and opportunities to correct their mistakes. With the right kind of care, many will change very quickly. Police officers from Ba Don Ward will accompany them in their self-improvement and development. However, this requires close cooperation from families, schools, organizations, and local authorities,” Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Long emphasized.

The journey of bringing underprivileged teenagers back onto the right track has never been easy. Besides strictness, they also need to be listened to, understood, and given opportunities to change. The flexible and humane approaches in Ba Don ward are helping to rekindle hope, enabling many young people to gradually mature and live more positively each day.

Huong Le

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202605/lop-hoc-dac-biet-edc71d5/