In the midst of adversity, literacy continues to flourish.

VHO - Amidst the turbulent waves of the Fatherland, the sounds of children studying still resonate. These small classrooms in the Truong Sa archipelago not only illuminate the path to literacy but also sow seeds of faith and nurture love for the sea and islands.

A classroom bathed in sunlight amidst the sea and sky, where teachers and students together preserve literacy and continue to pursue their dreams from the forefront of the waves.

There, each opened page is a connection to the mainland, each murmur a landmark of sovereignty preserved by knowledge and aspiration.

Classroom at the forefront of the waves

Mornings in Truong Sa begin not with the honking of cars or the hurried pace of life, but with the steady sound of waves lapping against the embankment and the strong wind blowing through the square-leaved mangrove trees.

In that vast space, the sound of children spelling out "a... b... c..." rises up, clear yet poignant, like a unique rhythm of life on the islands.

On Song Tu Tay Island, a small classroom nestled under the green trees is simple yet warm. Neatly arranged desks and chairs, a familiar blackboard, a few bookshelves filled with comic books and textbooks… All of this creates a miniature world of knowledge amidst the vast ocean.

The children here don't have as many choices as their friends on the mainland. But in return, they have a very different childhood, a childhood spent growing up amidst the waves, the blue of the sea, and a love for their homeland that is nurtured every day.

Nguyen Hoang Chi Thien, who has lived on the island for over 5 years, smiles innocently when talking about his class. For him, the joy comes from learning to read and write, going to school, meeting friends, and receiving care from his teachers like family.

"Here, we have fewer friends, but everyone is close to each other. The teachers love us very much," she said.

The classrooms on the remote island are not crowded, but they are never without laughter. Each student has their own circumstances and story, but they all share one thing in common: the opportunity to learn and grow up under the protection of the entire community.

There, teachers are not just transmitters of knowledge. They are like fathers and mothers, friends, and emotional support for their students. Teachers are present at every meal, every sleep, every time they are sick.

Teacher Phan Quang Tuan is one such person. With 38 years of teaching experience, he has gone through all the ups and downs of the teaching profession. But it wasn't until he set foot in Truong Sa that he truly understood the full meaning of the word "dedication."

Born and raised in Khanh Hoa , a coastal yet inland province, Mr. Tuan had long harbored a dream: to teach on an island. This dream smoldered for many years, until his children grew up and his family settled down, at which point he decided to make it a reality.

The clear, melodious voices of students spelling out words echoed in the small classroom, where letters were silently taking root amidst the vast ocean.

In 2023, at the age of 55, an age when many people begin to think about retirement, Mr. Tuan embarked on a new journey.

"Going to Truong Sa is not an easy decision. But I think if I don't do it now, I'll regret it later," he said.

On the day he left the mainland, behind him was the worried gaze of his wife. But ahead of him was the faith and support of his daughter, who said something that he would never forget:

"My father's deployment to Truong Sa is a source of pride for our family."

Upon setting foot on Sinh Ton Island, the teacher's first feeling was not one of harshness, but of warmth.

"Everyone here lives together like a family. From soldiers to civilians, everyone is friendly and affectionate," the teacher recounted.

The teacher's class has only a few students of all ages. Some are just learning to speak, others are in first or second grade. There's no strict division like on the mainland; each lesson is flexible and creative.

In the mornings, the teacher teaches the children to sing, dance, and learn the alphabet. In the afternoons, he helps each student with spelling and writing. Sometimes, the class is just "one teacher, one student," but his dedication is never lacking.

At over 50 years old, chasing after 4-5 year olds is no easy task. But in his eyes, joy is always present.

"It's tiring, but it's also rewarding. Seeing the children improve every day makes me feel like all my efforts are worthwhile," the teacher said with a smile.

Despite the challenging conditions on the remote island, teaching and learning have been maintained in an orderly manner, gradually adapting to the reality. From organizing classes for different age groups to updating teaching content, teachers are always proactive in seeking innovation and flexibility in their methods to suit the students.

According to Mr. Tuan, thanks to the attention of the Party, the State, the military, and support from the mainland, teaching conditions have been steadily improving. Professional exchanges with colleagues are maintained, helping teachers to promptly supplement their knowledge and improve the quality of their lectures.

Teacher Phan Quang Tuan devotedly guided his students through every gesture and every clap, sowing love through simple lessons.

With dedication and a love for their profession, every lesson in Truong Sa is meticulously prepared and delivered with utmost passion. Therefore, each word is not just knowledge, but also a belief passed on to future generations in this remote coastal area.

In this frontline environment, such dedication is not just a responsibility, but also a silent promise to the future of these children.

Sowing seeds of love amidst the vast ocean and sky.

If the classroom is where knowledge is sown, then Truong Sa is where human kindness is sown. There, lessons are not only found on paper, but are also present in every action and every daily behavior. Love, gratitude, and sharing are taught through the simplest things.

Teacher Tuan still clearly remembers his first November 20th on the island. There were no large bouquets of flowers, no dazzling stage, just small, pretty flowers picked by the students themselves, and clumsy drawings on cards that contained all their heartfelt feelings.

"When I received each flower, I was truly moved. Everything here feels genuine and warm," the teacher said.

It is through these simple things that the teacher teaches the students about the tradition of "respecting teachers and valuing education," and about gratitude. These lessons don't need textbooks, but they will stay with the students throughout their lives.

Not only for his students, the teacher was also a source of moral support for many young soldiers on the island. These young men in their twenties carried with them the longing for home and their homeland. The conversations and everyday stories the teacher shared helped them alleviate some of that homesickness.

"Sometimes the children confide in me as if I were their father. Listening to them, I feel even more compassion for them," the teacher shared.

The bond between teachers, students, and soldiers creates a special community where everyone is a source of support for one another.

A vibrant study corner adorned with paintings of the homeland, where dreams and love for the sea and islands are nurtured every day.

Ms. Ho My Hung, a resident of Sinh Ton Island, was moved when she spoke of the teacher who taught her child.

"My child's first strokes of writing were all carefully guided by the teacher. With teachers like that here, we feel very reassured," she said.

For mothers on remote islands, the greatest joy is seeing their children go to school each day, receive an education, and grow up in a loving environment.

In recent years, Truong Sa has undergone many changes. Schools have been built in a more spacious and modern style, textbooks are more readily available, and playgrounds for children have also been invested in. Under the green trees, swings and slides provide children with a more fulfilling childhood.

But the most valuable thing of all is people.

These are teachers like Mr. Tuan, who quietly dedicate themselves to their work, without needing praise.

These are the soldiers who guard the seas and skies day and night, while also protecting the small classrooms.

It was a sentiment from the mainland, with ships carrying books, supplies, and the heartfelt sentiments of millions of people.

Amidst the vast ocean, these classrooms endure, serving as a vivid testament to willpower and aspiration.

With only a few years left until retirement, Mr. Tuan has never considered leaving the island early. For him, every day teaching in Truong Sa is a meaningful day.

"Here, I've gained a deeper understanding of the value of life. Everything I do has meaning," the teacher said.

As evening falls and the sun begins to soften, the sound of waves murmurs softly on the shore. Inside the small classroom, the children's voices continue to ring out, steady and clear.

Those murmuring sounds are not only the sounds of learning, but also the sounds of hope, of the future.

Amidst countless hardships, literacy is still preserved. And along with literacy, love for the homeland grows in the hearts of children.

In this place at the forefront of the waves, every lesson is a seed. And those seeds are quietly sprouting, growing strong, just like Truong Sa itself, resilient amidst the vast ocean.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/chinh-polit/noi-dau-song-con-chu-van-ben-bi-nay-mam-225823.html