Parents in mountainous areas help schools plant flowers and vegetables to welcome the new school year.

Although the weather during the day was quite erratic, sometimes scorching hot, sometimes pouring rain, nearly 40 parents of preschool students at Na Hy school (Nhon Mai) were still enthusiastic about their work. The fathers were busy cutting and sawing wood to rebuild the roof and using “turtle” carts to transport soil for vegetable gardening.

Parents and teachers tidy up the school grounds. Photo: Cong Kien

Mothers focused on cleaning the classroom, equipment, and toys. Parents planted vegetables and flowers, contributing to creating a clean and beautiful landscape so that children would be more interested in going to class; and creating a source of clean food, ensuring nutrition and food hygiene and safety for the children.

Parents transport fertile soil to the school grounds to plant flowers and clean vegetables. Photo: Cong Kien

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang - the teacher in charge of the Na Hy village kindergarten excitedly said: "These past few days I have been very worried, because the workload is quite large, while the new school year is near. But today, many parents came to help, the workload has basically been resolved, so I am really reassured."

Na Hy village is more than 3km from Nhon Mai commune center, is home to nearly 100 Thai ethnic households. The socio-economic conditions are still facing many difficulties, the main source of income depends on slash-and-burn cultivation and a little rice fields. However, the children's education is always a concern of the local people, especially in supporting the construction of facilities and helping teachers prepare for the new school year.

Vegetable gardening creates a clean food source. Photo: Cong Kien

Mr. Kha Van Cang - Head of Na Hy village said: "In the new school year, the school cooperated with the village management board to mobilize parents to renovate and clean classrooms and supplement facilities. For the sake of children's education, people here are always enthusiastic."

Parents join hands to plant a flower garden in front of their children's classroom. Photo: Cong Kien

Not only in Na Hy, but most of the parents in the villages of Nhon Mai border commune also participated in contributing working days, helping teachers consolidate the infrastructure system before the new school year. The satellite schools are all far from the center, some are about 20km away, the terrain is difficult to transport materials. Therefore, mobilizing the contributions of parents is considered the most optimal solution.

Ms. Vi Thi Hien - Principal of Nhon Mai Kindergarten said: "The whole commune has 12 villages with 7 kindergartens. The biggest concern when preparing for the new school year is to consolidate the infrastructure system to serve teaching at remote locations, because the conditions here are very difficult. Fortunately, the Management Board and parents of the villages are enthusiastic and responsible, so everything usually goes smoothly. Up to this point, the school is ready to welcome the children to the new school year."