The roof over teachers' heads keeps them on the remote island.

The housing provided for teachers in the coastal and island areas of An Giang province is becoming a source of support, allowing teachers to confidently stay in their classrooms and contribute to improving the quality of education in these challenging locations.

Nguyen Thi Hoang Uyen's daughter helps her mother pick vegetables after school. Photo: Hanh Chau

The Kien Hai Special Zone comprises more than 23 islands of varying sizes, including over 21 islands in the Nam Du archipelago, with approximately 11 inhabited. This archipelago is located more than 60km from the special zone's administrative center and more than 90km from Rach Gia ward. The area is fragmented, and transportation relies entirely on water transport and weather conditions, resulting in significant difficulties for the lives of the islanders, especially regarding the education of their children.

The Nam Du commune area alone comprises more than 11 islands, with the most densely populated being Hon Ngang and Hon Mau. However, education on Hon Mau currently only goes up to the 5th grade, so students who want to continue their studies must go to other islands or to the mainland, leading to many concerns about accommodation, living expenses, and educational costs. Currently, there are 3 staff housing complexes with 22 rooms for teachers, basically meeting the accommodation needs of teachers working on Hon Ngang. However, the facilities on Hon Mau are still lacking and in disrepair.

According to Le Minh Tri, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Kien Hai Special Zone, "Currently, school sites A and C on Hon Mau basically meet the housing needs of teachers. However, the 7 staff rooms at school site B, built about 15 years ago, are dilapidated and need to be repaired or rebuilt to ensure teachers have a safe and comfortable place to live and work." Mr. Tri stated that, in line with the education development plan until 2030 and the vision until 2050, the locality needs to invest in approximately 10 new staff rooms because the majority of management staff, teachers, and employees come from the mainland to work on the island, so the need for stable housing is essential for them to feel secure and committed to their profession in this remote island location.

During his lunch break at the staff housing complex on Nam Du Island, Mr. Dang Minh Son, a teacher at Nam Du Primary and Secondary School, shared: “My wife and I both teach at this school, and my wife just gave birth to a baby. Thanks to the staff housing, we can work with peace of mind, focus on teaching, and continue pursuing our teaching careers.”

Mr. Tran Anh Can, Principal of Nam Du Primary and Secondary School, said that the teachers' housing complex still meets the accommodation needs of teachers. However, because the complex was built a long time ago, many parts are dilapidated and need to be repaired to ensure adequate living conditions.

Not only for teachers, but the staff housing has also become a "common home" for many students from small island areas, enabling them to continue their education. During a working trip to Tien Hai island commune, behind Tien Hai Primary and Secondary School in Hon Tre hamlet, the image of a small family gathered around a simple meal warmed the hearts of everyone who witnessed it. This was the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung, who lives in Hon Giang and resides in the staff housing complex to conveniently care for her two children, who are in grades 4 and 7. Ms. Dung emotionally said: "This is collective staff housing for students and teachers in the island area. Without this place, it would be very difficult for children on small islands to continue their education. My family lives here for free, and the children are exempt from tuition fees, so it's a huge relief."

Every day, besides taking care of her children, Ms. Dung makes cakes and yogurt to sell in front of the school gate and then drives around the island to earn extra income. "On sunny days, I earn about 100,000 - 200,000 dong, but on rainy days I can't sell. My husband is at sea and only comes home once every four months," Ms. Dung confided.

In the adjacent hallway, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Uyen was sorting shrimp to prepare for making banh khot (Vietnamese savory pancakes) to sell and earn extra money to support her children's education. Her family lives in Hon U, a place with only a few dozen households and limited educational opportunities. "All three of my children attend the same school here. Our family is exempt from tuition fees, health insurance, and even accommodation. Without the government housing, given our current difficult circumstances, we wouldn't be able to afford long-term rental accommodation for our children," Ms. Uyen explained.

The simple staff quarters on the remote islands not only provide teachers with a stable place to live so they can dedicate themselves to their work, but also help fulfill the dreams of many students in coastal and island areas to attend school. This demonstrates the practical concern of the Party, the State, and the local government for the cause of education in areas still facing many difficulties.

Housing support policies for teachers, coupled with improved benefits, not only help improve the material and spiritual lives of educators but also motivate them to stay committed to the profession and enhance teaching quality. When teachers have secure housing and students have stable learning conditions, classrooms in remote areas will increasingly be filled with the sounds of reading, laughter, and hope for a brighter future for the children of these island communities.

HANH CHAU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mai-nha-giu-chan-thay-co-noi-dao-xa-a487398.html