Schools in mountainous areas strive to ensure high attendance rates.

In mountainous provinces like Lao Cai – where the terrain is rugged, the weather is harsh, socio-economic conditions are still challenging, and ethnic minorities constitute the majority of the population – ensuring students attend school regularly, on time, and consistently is a crucial factor in determining the quality of education. To encourage students to come to school amidst the cold, teachers there have been employing many flexible, coordinated, and creative solutions.

In Mo Vang commune, the road leading to Khe Long 3 village is jokingly called "Giang's road" by the locals – a steep, winding path that seems to touch the clouds. After the floods in September and October, landslides made the only road into the village even more treacherous. Yet, every morning and evening, amidst the thick fog, people still see teacher Truong Thi Thu persistently traversing "Giang's road" to reach Khe Long 3 Kindergarten (Mo Vang Kindergarten).

Khe Long 3 village has 103 households of the Mong ethnic group living in isolation in the middle of the forest. The school has more than a dozen children aged 2 to 5, but the distance from home to school is far, with some households as far as 2 km along a dirt path. On bitterly cold winter days, when the sun rises late, the roads are slippery, and visibility is limited, maintaining attendance here becomes a major challenge.

Teacher Thu's biggest concern is the days with thick fog and weak light, when the village has no electricity grid and the solar power system is not working. The solar water heater is "paralyzed," leaving the children without warm water, making teaching and childcare even more difficult.

Not only in Mỏ Vàng, but also at Móng Sến branch school of the Trung Chải Ethnic Boarding Primary School in Tả Phìn commune, the dedication of the teachers to "staying in the village" has earned much admiration. Although the main school is located right next to National Highway 4D, Móng Sến branch school is perched high on a mountaintop. The road to the school winds its way through the mountain ranges.

Recently, due to the impact of storms and heavy rain, many sections of this area have been affected by landslides. The already dilapidated road has become even worse, with uneven surfaces and thick mud covering the wheels of motorbikes; in some sections, vehicles are impassable, forcing teachers to dismount and walk or carry their motorbikes. Despite these difficult conditions, the teachers persevere, staying in this remote area to ensure the continuation of their teaching duties.

Ms. Phan Thi Bay, a teacher at Trung Chai Ethnic Boarding Primary School – one of the experienced teachers at remote school locations – shared: “To maintain attendance rates during the winter, community outreach is crucial. A practical solution is to help people overcome difficulties in sending their children to school regularly, while also taking care of their meals and sleep to boost their immunity.”

The quiet efforts of teachers in the highlands have created a "thread" that draws students to class, despite the harsh weather conditions.

Pa Cheo Ethnic Boarding Primary School in Ban Xeo commune has one main campus and five satellite campuses. Maintaining student attendance is achieved through various creative solutions. As a result, the attendance rate reaches 98.5% or higher.

At the main school campus, the boarding school model ensures the well-being of students. The spacious four-story boarding facility features self-contained rooms with warm blankets and fully equipped living conditions. Meals are carefully prepared, focusing on both nutrition and quality, helping students maintain good health and focus on their studies.

Ms. Trieu Thi Hoa Dao, the school's Vice Principal, said: "The area is vast, and all the villages are facing difficulties, so we determined that we must coordinate closely with the local authorities. Right from the beginning of the school year, the school consulted with the local government and coordinated with village heads to promote and encourage parents to send their children to school, maintaining student enrollment numbers."

Sharing the same viewpoint, Mr. Ly A Minh - Head of Ban Giang village (Ban Xeo commune), said: "The village always works alongside the school, regularly visiting each household to encourage and remind parents to bring their children to school on time. We consider bringing children to school and caring for them as a community responsibility, not just the school's."

Meanwhile, in the mountainous border commune of Muong Khuong, where there are 9 boarding schools with over 1,000 ethnic minority students, the boarding school model is considered a "second home" for the children. The care and education provided here not only ensure their well-being but also enhance their skills and awareness.

At Tung Chung Pho Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School, extracurricular activities on fire prevention and safety are regularly organized. Students receive specific and easy-to-understand guidance, helping them learn how to protect themselves and their friends.

Mr. Tang Duy Chinh, the school principal, said: “The school is located in the middle of the mountains, far from residential areas, while the number of boarding students is large, so ensuring safety is always our top priority. We have established a closed teacher duty roster and coordinate with the commune police to promote school security and safety. Our primary goal is to ensure that students are cared for and safe when they come to school.”

Em Then Su Phi, a student in class 8A1 at Tung Chung Pho Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School, shared: “Although I live far away, the teachers take care of me at the boarding school, from meals to lessons. This care motivates me to strive for excellence in my studies.”

In addition to caring for students' material well-being and maintaining student enrollment, schools in mountainous regions actively organize extracurricular activities and integrate traditional culture into their teaching. From learning brocade embroidery and collecting and displaying ethnic cultural artifacts to learning folk dances, all these activities make teaching more engaging and encourage students to attend school regularly.

Teacher Bui Quang Tap - Deputy Principal in charge of Thanh Binh Ethnic Boarding Junior High School, Muong Khuong commune, said: “We established a self-governing team for boarding students to train themselves and support each other. At the same time, the school also promotes extracurricular activities, arts, and sports , and opens clubs to help students improve their physical fitness, bond with friends, and attract students to school.”

In the 2025-2026 school year, Lao Cai province will have 175 ethnic minority boarding schools and 147 general schools with boarding students, with over 60,000 students enrolled. The investment in infrastructure, nutrition, and the spiritual well-being of students in disadvantaged areas helps maintain an attendance rate consistently above 95%. This also serves as a driving force for the development of the education sector, contributing to the goal of improving the quality of education in mountainous regions.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/truong-hoc-vung-cao-no-luc-dam-bao-ty-le-chuyen-can-post888999.html