Teachers in mountainous areas 'become chefs', cooking for poor students

On October 11, Mr. Pham Quoc Viet - Principal of Dak Sao 1 Primary - Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (PTDTBT) (Dak Sao commune, Quang Ngai province) said that the school organized free lunch for about 170 non-boarding students.

Accordingly, the free lunch cooking model was launched from the 2024-2025 school year with nearly 180 students. In the 2025-2026 school year, this model will continue to be maintained with 170 students.

Teachers go to the kitchen to cook free lunch for students.

“The students go to school twice a day, and their houses are quite far from school, so many times they go to school in the morning, come back at noon, and then miss the second session in the afternoon, which greatly affects the quality of their studies. With the desire to help the students have better learning conditions, the school decided to cook free lunch for non-boarding students. After eating, the students take a nap at school to continue studying in the afternoon, without having to travel,” Mr. Viet shared.

Lunch break at Dak Sao 1 Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities, the scene is so peaceful, kitchen smoke spreads in the middle of the school yard, teachers stir rice, children line up neatly waiting for their turn. Simple but loving meals help children feel full, giving them enough energy to study in the afternoon.

Many parents also bring vegetables, squash, bamboo shoots or cook directly with teachers.

Y Nhu, a 5th grade student, shyly said: “After school in the morning, I have to go home to eat before going to class. The journey is quite far, so I am very tired. For the past 2 years, the teachers have cooked me free lunch. I am very happy. The lunch is delicious and helps me study better.

Ms. Y Thuyen, a parent, shared, “In the past, my child had to go home for lunch, but for the past two years, my child has been able to eat lunch at school, which is both convenient and reassuring. I hope the teachers and school will maintain this practice for a long time.”

Warm lunch for students at Dak Sao 1 Primary and Secondary School for Ethnic Minorities.

It is known that this activity has been maintained for 2 years now, funded by teachers' contributions, plus support from benefactors. Many parents also bring vegetables, squash, bamboo shoots or directly cook with teachers.