Eradicating illiteracy, opening the door of knowledge for people in the highlands

GD&TĐ - In the mountains and forests of Kon Plong, letters have been opening the door to knowledge, helping highland people become more confident on their journey to change their lives.

When letters sprout in the great forest

Afternoon falls, Kon Plông village gradually quiets down after a day of farming. At the small school located halfway up the mountain, the classroom lights are lit again. Women and men bring notebooks and pens, regularly going to class to learn to read and write.

Ms. Do Thi Kim Tuyen, Principal of Ngok Tem Primary Boarding School (Kon Plong Commune, Quang Ngai ) said that the school organized two literacy classes for local people. Students are of different ages, some are in their early 30s, some have gray hair.

“Teaching adults to read and write is not easy, but everyone is eager to learn and diligent. Seeing the people working hard, teachers have more motivation to try harder. Each teacher makes an effort and wholeheartedly guides the people with the hope that they will soon learn to read and write. Knowing how to read and write will make people's lives much easier,” Ms. Tuyen shared.

In the Kon Plong highlands, learning to read and write is not limited to the four walls of the classroom. Village cultural houses and community activity centers are also used as places for teaching and learning. On moonlit nights, the flickering lights in small classrooms, the sound of spelling echoes through the mountains and forests, reminiscent of the “Popular Education” movement of the past.

Not stopping there, teachers also guide people to study through the channel "Binh Dan Hoc Vu So", a form of online learning flexibly deployed in the highlands. With a smartphone, TV screen or projector, people can review knowledge anywhere, anytime. The lively, easy-to-understand lectures help students remember longer, even when resting in the fields, they can open the video to study.

Community joins hands to learn to read and write

During the day they go to the fields, and at night, without anyone telling them, all the students go to class.

According to Mr. Vo Xuan Tuu, Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Kon Plong Commune, the whole commune currently has 8 literacy classes with nearly 200 students participating. The classes are held at three schools in the area, making it more convenient for people to go to class.

“We work closely with schools, village chiefs and elders to encourage people to go to school. At first, some people were hesitant, but when they saw their neighbors and friends studying together, everyone wanted to join. In some classes, students even invited their children and grandchildren to come along to practice writing together,” Mr. Tuu shared.

After the study period, many students can read and write at level 2. Some classes have been summarized, others are in the final stage, expected to be completed in 2026. The good news is that up to now, in the commune, there are no cases of people who cannot read and write and have not participated in literacy classes.

The work of preventing illiteracy is also given attention. Teachers continue to monitor, support and remind people to maintain their studies, and encourage them to review through videos of “Popular Education Number”. In many villages, “studying every night” has become a familiar routine.

"After completing the literacy program, people can review their lessons at home or on the fields. The "Popular Education" channel has short, easy-to-understand, easy-to-remember lessons, so it will be very helpful in fighting illiteracy. Hopefully, with literacy, people's lives will change, develop and become less difficult," said Mr. Tuu.

According to the Department of Education and Training of Quang Ngai province, the locality has achieved level 2 literacy standards. However, maintaining and improving quality is still identified as a key task. The Department directs localities to regularly review and update data on illiterate people. At the same time, promote the application of technology, expand flexible learning models, suitable for the living conditions of people in mountainous areas.

In Kon Plong commune, the literacy class model combined with “Digital Popular Education” is considered a breakthrough, both saving costs and helping people access knowledge more easily. In addition, propaganda activities, mobilizing people to send their children to school, maintaining primary school student numbers also contribute to preventing re-illiteracy.

Literacy eradication is not only about teaching people to read and write, but also about opening up knowledge, improving people's intelligence, helping people understand science and technology, health care, and developing family economy . Many students, after learning to read, can record expenses, read farming instructions, and access information on agricultural and forestry extension.

The literacy classes in the middle of the Kon Plong mountains are simple, but imbued with the spirit of perseverance and the desire to rise up. Each letter written is not only the result of individual efforts, but also a testament to the solidarity of the entire community in the journey to bring the light of knowledge to all people in the highlands.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/xoa-mu-chu-mo-canh-cua-tri-thuc-cho-nguoi-dan-vung-cao-post752378.html