The border bell rings

QTO - In Dan Hoa border commune, as night falls, a familiar sound echoes from the small schoolyard nestled amidst the mountains and forests. The school bell not only reminds students of their self-study time but also gradually changes the daily routines of many families in this remote and impoverished area.

The sound of the bell in the night

Precisely at 7:30 PM every evening, the bell from Dan Hoa No. 1 Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School rings out in the tranquil mountain forest of the border region. The sound travels down the mountainside to the scattered houses at the foot of the hill, becoming a familiar signal announcing the start of evening classes.

In Dan Hoa commune, over 90% of the population are ethnic minorities. The area is vast, with many villages far from the center, and transportation is difficult. In some places, reaching a villager's house requires crossing streams and following winding slopes. Life remains challenging, and the education of children has been a major concern for teachers and local authorities for many years.

In many families, evenings are often associated with daily routines. Many students lack dedicated study areas, and adequate lighting for studying is often insufficient. Therefore, maintaining a consistent evening study routine for students in mountainous regions is not an easy task.

In a small house in Y Leng village, Ho Dinh Nu Tra My, a 9th-grade student, quickly opened her books and notebooks after the bell stopped ringing. Her study desk was placed against the wooden wall, with a small lamp above it providing just enough light to illuminate each page. "Whenever I hear the bell signaling the start of study, I automatically sit down at my desk without needing any reminders from my parents or teachers," Tra My said.

The "Study Bell" model has been implemented by Dan Hoa No. 1 Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School since the beginning of 2026 - Photo: QN

Tra My's mother, Ho Thi Kheo, said that previously, her daughter's evening study schedule wasn't very regular. After work, the whole family would often gather together for activities, which easily distracted her. But since the study bell was introduced, the family's routine has gradually changed.

"Hearing the bell, we know it's time for study. The adults in the house also speak more quietly so the child can concentrate on studying. Seeing the child become more self-disciplined, the family feels more at ease," she shared.

Not only Tra My's family, but many households in Dan Hoa commune are gradually forming the habit of dedicating evening time to their children's studies. Loud music and television during study time are becoming less common. Some families even save up to buy extra desks, chairs, and study lamps for their children.

In many small houses in the highlands, study corners are neatly arranged by the window or against the wooden wall. The light from the study lamp each evening has now become a familiar sight in many border villages. The "Study Bell" model was implemented by Dan Hoa No. 1 Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School from the beginning of 2026. Initially, the model was piloted in Y Leng village, then expanded to Ba Looc, Ha Noong-Ta Ra, Ka Dinh, Ta Leng villages, and others. From a simple signal, the study bell has gradually become a familiar rhythm of life for many families here.

The houses were lit up.

After the school bell rings, in many villages, a familiar sight is teachers leaving the school to check on their students' learning. The bumpy dirt roads and the stretches of stream crossings in the dark of night have become commonplace for teachers in the highlands.

Having worked with students in border areas for many years, teacher Tran Manh Hung understands quite well the difficulties they face in studying at night. "We go to their homes to assess each student's academic progress and help them reinforce their knowledge at home. They show significant improvement after receiving extra guidance from their teachers in the evenings," Mr. Hung shared.

Teacher Tran Manh Hung inspects students' study corners in Y Leng village - Photo: QN

In Y Leng village, the sight of teachers sitting next to students during evening classes is no longer uncommon. Some students receive extra tutoring in mathematics, while others are helped with reading and writing practice. These simple lessons in small houses in the highlands are helping many students gain more confidence in attending class.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, Principal of Dan Hoa No. 1 Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary and Secondary School, said that the most difficult thing when implementing the model is changing parents' perceptions about their children's education. Many families previously did not really care about their children's evening study time; some families still played loud music or turned on the TV during study time.

After more than a month of implementation, many positive changes have emerged in the villages. The number of students gathering and going out at night has decreased significantly; the number of students watching phones or TV during class is also lower than before. "What we hope for most is that the children develop the habit of self-study. When studying becomes a daily routine, they will have more opportunities to excel," Mr. Chuong said.

Along with the school, local authorities and grassroots organizations also participate in maintaining the movement. The Association for the Promotion of Learning, the Youth Union, and village Party branches regularly visit each household to encourage and remind parents to pay attention to their children's education.

Mr. Pham Van Bac, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dan Hoa commune, shared: "The most noticeable change after the implementation is the significantly improved learning atmosphere in many villages. Previously, students would gather to play games or watch their phones in the evenings, but now many students proactively sit down to study when the bell rings. The most encouraging thing is that parents are starting to support their children more. Going forward, the locality will continue to maintain and expand this model to create a long-term learning routine for students in border areas."

On quiet nights in the border region of Dân Hóa, the sound of the school bell signaling study time still regularly echoes from the small schoolyard nestled in the mountains. Following this familiar sound, study lights illuminate many houses nestled along the mountainside, in remote villages far from the center. From these simple study corners, the habit of self-study is gradually forming, along with the dreams of highland students nurtured night after night.

Quang Ngoc

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/giao-duc/202605/tieng-keng-vung-bien-01d6265/