Teachers and students in a remote village with no access to clean water or other basic necessities.

Dinh Tuyen - Huu Vi• January 5, 2024 09:30

(Baonghean.vn) - The lack of phone signal, roads, and electricity is a reality that teachers and students at Huoi May school, in Cam Muon commune, Que Phong district (Nghe An province), have had to overcome for decades.

Clip: Dinh Tuyen

Huoi May school, located in Cam Muon commune, Que Phong district, is nestled amidst mountains on all sides. Photo: Huu Vi

This is the school for 19 elementary school students. The school is staffed by two teachers stationed in the remote village. Huồi Máy is nearly 20 km from the center of Cắm Muộn commune, and lacks roads, telephone signal, and access to the national power grid. Photo: Đình Tuyên

In the 2023-2024 school year, Huoi May school had two combined classes with students at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade levels. Each class had two blackboards arranged back-to-back. Each class was supervised by one teacher stationed in the remote village. Photo: Huu Vi

Teacher Lo Van E (born in 1976) has been teaching in Huoi May since 2020. This school year, he is in charge of grades 1 and 2. According to the teacher, who has 20 years of experience, children in Huoi May have never attended preschool, so when they enter grade 1, the teachers have to help them get acquainted with each of the first letters of the alphabet. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

By the 17th week of school, all first-grade students in Huoi May village could read clearly. According to teacher E, because of the small number of students, teachers can provide extra tutoring outside of class hours, so the children have caught up with the curriculum even though they did not attend preschool. Photo: Huu Vi

Teacher Lo Van Thanh (born in 1976) has been teaching in Huoi May village for 14 consecutive years. Teacher Thanh shared that he was assigned to Huoi May in 2009 and has been there continuously until now. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In the 2023-2024 school year, Mr. Lo Van Thanh was in charge of grades 3 and 5 with 12 students. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

According to teacher Lo Van Thanh, despite many difficulties, the people and students have a great affection for the teachers. That is also the reason why he has stayed in this area for so long. "Even though I wanted to move to a more convenient location, the students don't want to come to class when I'm not around. Because of that affection, I will continue to stay with the children in Huoi May village," teacher Thanh confided. Photo: Huu Vi

After school hours, Mr. Lo Van Thanh often visits families in the village to chat and inquire about their well-being. The residents also regard this teacher as a familiar member of the community. Mr. Oc Van Sinh (in the blue shirt) said: "Many days, the teachers even share rice with hungry students. Mr. Thanh has often personally mended the children's torn clothes." Photo: Dinh Tuyen

According to teacher Lo Van Thanh, over the years, Huoi May village has received attention from government agencies and philanthropists from many parts of the country. This has helped teachers stationed in the village have more convenient living conditions and opportunities for teaching. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Teachers and students at Huoi May school during recess. Photo: Huu Vi

Huồi Máy used to be a separate hamlet in Cắm Muộn commune, Quế Phong district. For the past few years, this cluster of 37 households, including 35 Khơ Mú ethnic minority households, has been merged with Cắm Pọm hamlet. This cluster is located nearly 20km from the main hamlet and the commune center, with very difficult access roads; residents here have to walk for 3 hours to reach the commune center. (Photo: Đình Tuyên)

Dinh Tuyen - Huu Vi