The Mong grandmothers and mothers in Pha Xac village (Huoi Tu commune, Ky Son district) still diligently go to literacy classes every day.
For about a year now, in Pha Xac village (Huoi Tu commune), the sound of Mong mothers studying has always resounded. Accompanying them during these summer days, in addition to teachers from Huoi Tu 2 Primary School, there are also members of the commune's youth union. Photo: Dao ThoSecretary of the Huoi Tu Commune Youth Union, Ho Ba Da, said that normally the class takes place at night so that mothers and sisters can go to the fields and do housework during the day. Only on the weekends do the classes take place in the morning. Previously, only teacher Vu Y Mo was in charge of teaching literacy, but in recent weeks, 5-6 youth union members from the commune have joined in. Photo: Dao ThoMs. Vu Y Mo - a teacher at Huoi Tu 2 Primary School said: "The literacy class was opened in the village about a year ago, 14 students from the village aged 20-65 actively participated. The first time the class was opened, the mothers and grandmothers were very hesitant because they were old and still had to go to school, but when they were exposed to the letters, they were very excited. We also tried to encourage and provide the easiest knowledge for the mothers and grandmothers to get used to." Photo: Dao ThoStudent Ly Y Lau confided: “In the past, when I was in kindergarten and primary school, every time I came home from school and asked for lessons, both my father and mother were illiterate. We wanted to teach them but didn’t know how. Now that my children are in college and university, I am still illiterate, I can’t write my name, I can’t calculate numbers, I am so ashamed. When I heard about this literacy class, my husband said that I don’t have to worry about farming anymore, I have to focus on learning to read and write first.” Photo: Dao ThoMrs. Va Thi Xong is 65 years old this year, the oldest student in the class and is considered by everyone to have made a lot of progress recently. She shared: "In the past, I did not have the conditions to go to school, so now that I am old, I have to work so hard, but everyone is excited to learn to read and write." Photo: Dao ThoSome students, after days of farming, could not keep up with the class and forgot many characters. Teacher Vu Y Mo and the youth union members directly guided each person on how to hold a pen, read each character, and calculate each simple calculation. Photo: Dao ThoMany women in Pha Xac bring their children to class, both to learn and to look after them. Photo: Dao ThoLau Y Senh, a student at Ha Dong Medical College, just returned home for summer vacation. Hearing that there was a literacy class in the village, he volunteered with the commune’s youth union members to support the movement. For Y Senh, helping the women, mothers, and sisters in the village learn to read and write is also a meaningful contribution during the summer. Photo: Dao ThoAccording to teachers, up to now, most students can read, write and do basic calculations. This is a positive sign and also a great effort by the students, although many of them are old. Photo: Dao Tho