Female teacher choked up when student's lunch only had men men and vegetables

(Dan Tri) - A female teacher in Tuyen Quang emotionally shared that many of her students brought only men men (ground corn) and vegetables for lunch to school. Many schools still do not have electricity, clean water, or phone signal.

Professor Le Quan, Deputy Minister of Education and Training (Photo: My Ha).

At the program "Sharing with teachers 2025" taking place in Hanoi this afternoon (November 13), many teachers were moved and worried about lunches consisting only of corn and vegetable soup.

Ms. Giang Thi Tuyen, Phu Lung Primary School, Tuyen Quang said that 100% of the school's students are ethnic minorities and come from poor families.

Previously, people often went to work for hire, but after the Covid-19 pandemic, many people could not go to work far away, so their income was limited. Accordingly, their children's education was also more difficult.

“My school does not have a boarding system. At noon, students who live far away bring lunch to school, but the lucky ones get white rice and some food. Many students only bring men men (ground corn) and some vegetable soup.

The school's teachers themselves do not have official housing and have to rent outside, so it is very difficult," Ms. Tuyen emotionally shared.

Ms. Giang Thi Tuyen, Phu Lung Primary School, Tuyen Quang (Photo: M. Ha).

Ms. Tran Thi Thao (Dao San commune, Lai Chau, 56 years old) is the oldest teacher of this year's program and said: "Our students still live in level 4 houses with corrugated iron roofs, lacking facilities and not enough food. To help students improve, we mobilize people to bring vegetables and food that they grow themselves to support the students.

Previously, teachers lived in a boarding house built in 2010, but now they have to rent a room, which is very difficult," Ms. Thao confided.

Ms. Lau Y Pay, a teacher at Huoi Moi School, Tri Le Kindergarten, Nghe An province, said that 100% of her students are Mong ethnic children.

According to Ms. Y Pay, at the school where she teaches, students bring their own lunch to school. Some students only bring white rice with vegetables, or an egg to class. On days when it is below 5 degrees, some students still wear shorts to school.

To help the children, teachers and schools mobilize donations of old clothes in the area, helping children overcome difficulties and not interrupt their studies.

"Our school will have electricity in 2023. In 2024, the school called on benefactors to drill wells for the children's daily activities. Currently, there are still two remote locations without electricity or water, and one location without a phone signal. I hope the children will have better living conditions," said Ms. Y Pay.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Men, a preschool teacher in Can Ti commune, Tuyen Quang, also confided that this is a school on the border so there are still countless difficulties.

The school does not have the resources, so teachers overcome difficulties by using corn cobs and pebbles as toys or visual teaching aids. With each small step, teachers teach skills to students, helping them to be confident in communication.

Ms. Tran Thi Thao, the oldest teacher of this year's program (Photo: M. Ha).

Acknowledging the concerns of teachers, Professor Le Quan, Deputy Minister of Education and Training, said that today's examples, although simple and daily work, have been very inspiring. Through the stories of teachers, society loves the teaching profession even more.

Among the 80 faces honored today, there are 36 ethnic minority teachers, representing 18 different ethnic groups. All teachers are the flame that lights up faith, representing the spirit of dedication and humanity of the profession.

In the plan, the Ministry of Education and Training is implementing the direction of General Secretary To Lam and the Government on developing a boarding school system in border areas.

"Along with investment in facilities, issues related to teaching staff, operating costs and boarding and semi-boarding policies for students in disadvantaged areas are also being studied synchronously.

The task of education in remote areas and specialized schools still has many challenges, shortages and shortcomings, so more than anything, we need pioneering teachers to take on that task," said Deputy Minister Le Quan.

At the program, Deputy Minister Le Quan awarded Certificates of Merit from the Ministry of Education and Training to 80 teachers participating in the program "Sharing with teachers" in 2025.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nu-giao-vien-nghen-ngao-khi-bua-trua-cua-hoc-tro-chi-co-men-men-va-rau-cai-20251113170415678.htm