Overcoming difficulties and improving the quality of education.

Over the years, Nam So Secondary School (Nam So commune) has consistently strived to overcome difficulties and improve the quality of teaching and learning. As a result, the school has become a shining example in the field of education...

Speaking to us about the difficulties, Mr. Do Doan Lam, the principal of Nam So Secondary School, said: "The school's difficulties stem not only from the complex terrain and harsh weather, but also from the fact that the majority of students are from ethnic minority groups, with limited skills and Vietnamese language proficiency; their impoverished family lives make maintaining attendance rates a constant challenge. In addition, some outdated customs such as child marriage and early school dropout still persist, affecting parents' perceptions."

Meanwhile, the boarding facilities are not standardized, with student dormitories scattered throughout the area, making management difficult.

Village head Hua Ca ( first on the right ) is promoting and encouraging people to send their children to school regularly.

Faced with this reality, the school sought a suitable approach, starting with raising community awareness. Therefore, extensive awareness campaigns were implemented. The school collaborated with the commune's People's Committee and other organizations to explain to parents the importance of education for their children's future; these campaigns were conducted through village meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and even through short plays performed by the students themselves. The school also leveraged the role of influential community members to encourage students to return to class and reduce instances of unauthorized absences.

One of the innovative and effective approaches is the school and the villages signing a cooperation agreement. Accordingly, both sides will report daily on attendance, and cases of unexplained absences will be dealt with immediately . In particular, the criteria of " educational cooperation" and "attendance rate" are included in the performance evaluation at the village level, contributing to increased accountability of local authorities.

Despite facing many challenges, the teachers and students of Nam So Secondary School always strive in their teaching and learning endeavors.

Mr. Lu A Chua, head of Hua So village, shared: “Previously, the villagers were complacent, with many families letting their children miss school due to seasonal work, sometimes for several days at a time. Since the school came to the village to raise awareness and coordinated with us to sign commitments, the villagers understand better and pay more attention to reminding their children to attend school regularly. Every day, through the school, we monitor attendance, and if any child is absent without reason, we will go directly to their home to assess the situation and provide timely support. The education of our children is no longer just a family matter, but a shared responsibility of the entire village.”

Given the difficult transportation conditions in the commune, especially during the rainy season, the school encourages as many eligible students as possible to stay in the boarding facility and facilitates their stay. Simultaneously, it mobilizes social resources to improve meals and enhance the living conditions of boarding students. In terms of management, a camera system is installed in the dormitories, and teachers are assigned to monitor each area to ensure the safety and order of the students.

Extracurricular activities are organized by the school to enhance students' life skills.

Recognizing that the teaching staff is a key factor in improving the quality of teaching and student management, the school has implemented many comprehensive solutions. Professional development sessions are organized focusing on lesson study, helping teachers exchange ideas and agree on methods and approaches to handling pedagogical situations. The school also strengthens training in the application of information technology and innovative teaching methods to ensure teachers keep up with new requirements. Experienced teachers are assigned to support and exchange ideas with younger teachers; classroom observation is also organized to provide feedback to teachers. In addition, an information technology team and an AI club have been established to help teachers access modern teaching tools, effectively serving the teaching process.

As a result, the school's educational quality has seen significant improvements. The attendance rate increased from 83.7% (in the 2024-2025 school year) to over 90% by the middle of the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year. Students are more confident and assertive; their academic and behavioral performance has improved. The boarding environment – ​​their shared home – has become increasingly friendly and safe. In the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of students with good conduct ratings reached 100% (exceeding the target by 0.2%), of which the percentage of students with good or excellent conduct ratings reached 97.19% (exceeding the target by 0.89%). The percentage of students with average or above-average academic performance reached 97.07% (exceeding the target by 0.7%), and the percentage of students with good or excellent academic performance reached 43.11% (exceeding the target by 1.11%).

Teacher Do Doan Lam further shared: Nam So Secondary School still needs more resources to continue developing. The school hopes that the local government will support investment in infrastructure, renovation of classrooms and boarding facilities; expansion of playgrounds for students... The Education Department should consider allocating more teachers to the school, prioritizing teachers with proficiency in ethnic languages ​​and experience teaching in disadvantaged areas; support for professional development and provision of additional teaching equipment. Especially, support from businesses and philanthropists through scholarships, learning materials, or support for boarding meals is crucial to help students feel more secure attending school.

These aspirations all aim towards building a safe, friendly, and effective learning environment for students in the mountainous region. The journey of overcoming difficulties at Nam So Secondary School is a testament to the unity of teachers, parents, and local authorities. We believe that with the joint efforts of the entire community, this highland school will continue to experience many positive changes, providing better learning opportunities for the children of the ethnic groups in Nam So commune.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/xa-hoi/vuot-kho-nang-cao-chat-luong-giao-duc-903374