Put your faith in learning.

(Baonghean)In the past, Do Luong was a bustling hub of trade, with locals buying and selling goods with boat people from all over. Folk songs of Nghe An often mention this southwestern gateway to Nghe An as a particularly irresistible attraction for those traveling to Luong. Through the vicissitudes of time, Do Luong remains a thriving center, but its descendants are still remembered with admiration as sons and daughters of this "land of learning."

Over the past decade or so, Do Luong has been known as the "land of top students," boasting many outstanding students with high achievements in provincial and national excellent student competitions, and international medals: Nguyen Tat Nghia - Gold Medalist in International and Asia-Pacific Physics Olympiad (2009); top scorers admitted to leading universities in the country such as Hoang Tuan Anh (2005); Tang Van Binh (2011); Nguyen Duy Hai (2012)...

Over the years, Do Luong has consistently been a leading school in the province in terms of educational quality. The quality of education is comprehensive and consistent across all schools. In the 2012-2013 school year alone, 12 students were recognized as national outstanding students (2 second prizes, 3 third prizes, and 5 consolation prizes), and 217 students were recognized as provincial outstanding students, including 13 first prizes, 40 second prizes, and 72 third prizes. The 9th grade team ranked second in the province, and the 8th grade Physics Olympic team ranked first… The percentage of students admitted to universities ranked fourth in the province (after Phan Boi Chau Specialized High School, Vinh University Specialized High School, and Huynh Thuc Khang High School).

These achievements are not just numbers, but the result of a long process of preparation, built up by generations of dedication, a tradition accumulated, and a defining mark. It is the preparation of people's mindsets, respect for knowledge, a thirst for learning, and a commitment to education.

Hoang Quoc Phong (Tru Son, Do Luong) - Gold medalist in the National Children's Mathematics Olympiad (2012), Second prize winner in the Nghe An Provincial Online Mathematics Competition (2013) - at his study corner.

At Do Luong Town Primary School, we were surprised by the school's unique "mobile" library. Here, bookshelves are set up right in the schoolyard. Students can take whatever books they like, sit on benches, and read while discussing and sharing with their friends. After reading, they return the books to their original place, or if they want to borrow them, they sign the borrowing log. Teachers at the school also said: "To prevent students from getting bored with old books, the school adds many new books each year. Currently, the school library has over 2,000 books (not including textbooks) and some newspapers for students. The school has also connected nearly 60 computers to the internet to facilitate students' reading and information searching."

To promote reading and applying what one reads, the school often organizes activities where students introduce the books they have read, holds storytelling competitions based on books, and quizzes on book content based on themes. Once a year, the school organizes a "Reading Festival" for all students along with other schools, giving them the opportunity to share, interact, and compete with many new friends. Through this "mobile library" model and these "reading festivals," students become more interested in books and newspapers, because of the learning-through-play nature, free from the confines of a traditional reading room.

We can also easily see that from the very first day of school, these children have had strong support from behind them: their teachers, their families, social organizations, and all those who care about their future. Mr. Tang Van Tam, Vice Chairman of the Do Luong Education Promotion Association, said: “In Do Luong, no fundraising effort is as ‘exciting and successful’ as the Education Promotion Fund. The people wholeheartedly support it, which is why we have been able to mobilize a very large network of Education Promotion Funds.”

Currently, the total amount of funds allocated to the Education Promotion Fund in Do Luong district is 4 billion VND, of which the district's Education Promotion Association fund is 400 million VND. Funds are established by various organizations and associations, down to the commune level, in every village and hamlet, and within each clan and family. A notable example is the Truong Cong clan in Dong Son commune, which has a fund exceeding 1 billion VND. This money is used to encourage students with good academic results, provide timely support to those in difficult circumstances, and help schools build infrastructure. In the upcoming opening of the 2013-2014 school year, also within the Education Promotion Month, the Association will coordinate with the Fundraising Committee for the Poor to award 741 scholarships to students who have shown great effort and academic achievement.

Teachers also contribute to promoting education for students in their own ways. Coming here, I heard many stories about dedicated and devoted teachers. Teacher Trinh Thi Tuyet (Ly Nhat Quang Secondary School) has provided free accommodation and living expenses for many underprivileged students who live far from school, and even used her own money to buy school supplies and books for them. Many teachers in remote areas have visited students' homes to tutor and provide extra support because the students are busy helping their families during the day. Thanks to this dedication, many students have remained in their classes and at the school.

Meeting Hoang Quoc Phong (born in 2001, Hamlet 14, Tru Son Commune, Do Luong District), the boy who won a gold medal in the National Children's Math Olympiad (2012) and second prize in the Nghe An Provincial Online Math Competition (2013)... reveals that behind these impressive academic achievements lies a father who accompanied his son to every exam, boosting the confidence of his shy child. He is the father who daily drives his son to school, nearly 20km from home, then rushes back to work as a construction laborer and does odd jobs, only to return in the evening to pick him up. That father – Mr. Hoang Quoc Luu – in his simple house, confided: “My wife and I are farmers; we are poor, but we have to try our best to give our children an education. I have sent all five of my children to school. I send them to school so that the older ones can set an example for the younger ones, teaching each other, because parents can no longer teach them.”

These are just a few stories among many about learning in this land. Through quiet, unassuming, yet persistent and diligent efforts, all the people of Do Luong are striving not only to maintain the achievements already made but also to reach new heights.

Text and photos: Ho Lai