Young teachers bring knowledge to border regions

At Vietnam’s northernmost frontier, amid rugged limestone mountains and winding paths, young teachers travel long distances each day to reach remote classrooms, steadfastly delivering education to children in border areas. Despite numerous hardships, they remain committed, becoming a vital source of support for ethnic minority students.

Teacher Chin Thi Sen of Po Lo Kindergarten, Thang Tin Commune, cares for her pupils.

At Phin Xa satellite school in Sa Phin Commune, teacher Hoang Thi Huyen (born 1994) has devoted years to teaching in a classroom perched on a mountainside. Most of her students are from Mong and Co Lao ethnic groups, many of whom initially cannot speak Vietnamese. Beyond teaching, she attends to their daily needs, from preparing warm water to comforting new students and escorting them home. Her dedication has helped shift parental attitudes, encouraging more children to attend school regularly.

In the border commune of Pa Vay Su, teacher Nguyen Thi Xuan (born 1993) volunteered to leave her hometown to teach English at both primary and lower secondary levels. Facing language barriers and limited resources, she has introduced creative methods such as games, songs, and role-playing activities to build students’ confidence and inspire broader aspirations.

Meanwhile, teacher Chin Thi Sen of Po Lo Kindergarten has worked tirelessly to encourage school attendance, contributing to improved enrollment rates. With over a decade of service, she has become a role model in her community.

The province currently has more than 1,000 teachers working at remote satellite schools in border areas. Education authorities are implementing measures to improve teaching quality and learning conditions. In these remote highlands, dedicated educators continue their quiet mission, nurturing knowledge and opening pathways to a brighter future for generations to come.

Van Long