Nam Dan 2 High School: A ferry crossing of knowledge on the Lam River

Along the thousand-year-old Lam River, where Nam Dan has been nurtured into a land of outstanding people and rich cultural traditions, there is a special ferry crossing that has steadfastly served for the past six decades. This is the "ferry of knowledge" named Nam Dan 2 High School. Sixty years – a relatively short period compared to history, but enough to shape the enduring presence of a school in the former Nine Nam region.

Panoramic view of Nam Dan 2 High School. Photo: Lang Linh

Beginning in the midst of fire

The Chín Nam region, situated on the right bank of the Lam River, was a land of hardship. Its remote location meant that the people's lives were primarily dependent on agriculture , and basic necessities like food and clothing were always scarce. During those years, the journey to acquire literacy for high school students was a test of perseverance, requiring them to walk dozens of kilometers to the town of Nam Đàn or the city of Vinh.

In August 1965, amidst the expansion of the US bombing campaign against North Vietnam, Nam Dan became a prime target of fierce attacks. It was in this tragic historical context that Nam Dan 2 High School was established. The first classrooms were simple thatched huts, surrounded by earthen ramparts and a complex network of trenches and tunnels to protect against bombs and bullets.

Early classroom. Photo: Reconstructed by Ngoc Dung using AI.

The memories of those who came before remain vivid: the image of students going to school, never forgetting their straw hats and camouflage leaves. Teachers and students built the school together amidst the roar of B52 bombers; and it is heartbreaking that many students perished in the unfinished classroom. Even though the fierce fighting forced the school to evacuate to the Co Do Farm in Nghia Dan, the studious and patriotic spirit of the people of Nam Dan remained unwavering. In its very first year, the school successfully sent many outstanding students to join the army and fight the enemy, while the Nghe An Department of Education still confidently chose Nam Dan 2 as the location for the provincial gifted student training program for the North.

The school has 65 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the resistance war against the American imperialists to save the country. Photo: Ngoc Dung

Overcoming the storms of natural disasters and the changing times.

When peace was restored, it seemed that the difficulties would fade away, but new challenges arose for the school located in the flood-prone area. Every school year, natural disasters loomed; the major floods of 1978 and 1988 submerged the Chín Nam region, sweeping away houses and severely damaging the school's infrastructure.

In the context of a difficult centrally planned economy, there were times when the number of students plummeted from 24 classes to just 10. Yet, the boat carrying knowledge remained steadfast, refusing to stop in the face of the turbulent waves of history and natural disasters. The bond between teachers and students, and the teachers' dedication to the school, became the strongest support. The aspiration to ensure "no one is deprived of knowledge" is the flame that illuminates the path to a brighter future for the younger generation here.

Since its establishment, Nam Dan 2 High School has always maintained its noble role and mission: as one of the three public high schools in Nam Dan, it is responsible for nurturing knowledge for students in Nam Dan, the right bank of the Lam River, and some communes of Duc Tho - Ha Tinh.

Compared to other high schools in the delta region, Nam Dan 2 High School faces more disadvantages, being located right in the heart of the flood zone. At times, maintaining and preventing interruptions to the teaching program has been a miracle. And it is precisely in these difficult times that the resilience of the teachers and students here shines even brighter. Every word imparted is not just knowledge, but also the culmination of unwavering willpower, transforming geographical disadvantages into motivation and aspirations for the future.

A class session at Nam Dan 2 High School today. Photo: Ngoc Dung

A symbol of rising from difficult terrain.

After 60 years, Nam Dan 2 High School has truly undergone a transformation, fulfilling its promise to previous generations that the school would be a proper school and its classrooms properly designed. Gone are the flood-prone thatched-roof buildings; instead, there are sturdy, imposing structures with modern facilities and a campus that meets educational standards. This is the result of significant investment and continuous contributions from all levels of government and parents.

Changes in facilities have always gone hand in hand with the growth of the teaching staff. From 15 teachers at the beginning, the school now has 78 highly qualified staff, teachers, and employees, including 25 with Master's degrees. They are not just transmitters of knowledge but also "soldiers" on the front lines of educational innovation, actively applying information technology and artificial intelligence to each lesson to stimulate creative thinking in students.

The Education Council of Nam Dan 2 High School. Photo: Ngoc Dung

The sweet fruits of knowledge and character.

Nam Dan 2 is not only a place for teaching literacy but also a true "character-building center." The school always focuses on cultivating revolutionary ideals, ethics, and lifestyles for its students. Hundreds of students have had the honor of being admitted to the Party while still in school – a clear testament to their comprehensive development in character and qualities.

The effectiveness of education over the past six decades speaks for itself: More than 21,000 students have graduated. In particular, the quality of advanced education has made remarkable progress in recent years. The percentage of students achieving excellent results at the provincial level annually reaches 60% or higher, out of the total number of students participating in the competition, with over 250 awards, including 10 first prizes. Students from the school not only gain admission to top universities nationwide but also reach international levels with prestigious scholarships. For them, the tradition of "being poor in food and clothing but not in education" remains a great spiritual value, motivating them to strive for excellence in all circumstances.

The weekly flag-raising ceremony at Nam Dan 2 High School. Photo: Lang Linh

Steadfastly steering toward the future.

Sixty years of tireless effort have been rewarded with a prestigious prize: the Third-Class Labor Medal awarded by the President of Vietnam. This is a well-deserved recognition of the silent contributions of generations of teachers and students in the Southern region. From a Party branch with only 3 members, the school's Party committee has now grown to 52 members, creating a solid foundation for leadership.

Looking towards the future, the teachers and students of Nam Dan 2 High School recognize their heavy but glorious responsibility: to effectively implement the 2018 General Education Program and to be determined to bring the school to national standard level 2 by 2029. The ferry to Chin Nam – that ferry landing remains resilient after six decades of weathering storms, continuing its efforts to forever be a shining nursery of knowledge in the beloved homeland of President Ho Chi Minh.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/thpt-nam-dan-2-ben-do-tri-thuc-ben-dong-lam-10316970.html