Teachers in Quang Nam go to class as if wading through rice fields.

In recent days, the image of teachers in the highlands of Nam Tra My (Quang Nam) going to class covered in mud has touched many people. Each teacher here teaches both preschool and primary school.

Teacher Ho Van Xuan on the way to school - Photo: TIEN VAN.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online , teacher Pham Van Tien (27 years old), teacher at Ong Vanh school, village 4, Tra Don commune (Tra Don commune primary boarding school, Nam Tra My, Quang Nam) - said that due to continuous rain for many weeks, most of the roads to the schools on the mountain have become swampy.

Go to school in mud

"My school has 6 elementary students. The school is located on a high mountain, about 3 hours by motorbike and walking from the main school.

Every Monday morning, I wake up early, ride my motorbike carrying rice, dried fish, and fish sauce, then ride my motorbike for an hour to the top of the steep road to park my motorbike. From here, I have to walk for another 2 hours to get to the school," said Mr. Tien.

According to Mr. Tien, because most of the roads are not paved with concrete, traveling during the rainy season is a torture. Teachers have to push the accelerator while inching forward. Vehicles break down constantly, and every day they go to class covered in mud.

Currently in Nam Tra My district, there are hundreds of schools located deep in the mountains. In many places, teachers have to walk 4-5 hours to get there.

People walking along the same street "escorted" teacher Xuan into the school - Photo: TIEN VAN.

Regularly on the first morning of the week, carrying backpacks full of rice, dried fish, and salt, we trudge up the mountain to teach. Teachers almost disappear into the valleys, only going out on weekends and getting a phone signal to contact their relatives.

At the school in village 3, Tra Vinh commune (Nam Tra My), in the past few weeks, young female teachers in their twenties such as Ms. On, Ms. Dieu, Ms. Lien, Ms. Huong, Ms. Thanh Huynh... have been coming to class every week with dirty clothes as if they had just... waded through the rice fields.

Due to the continuous rain and muddy roads, teachers had to walk 3-4 hours to teach children.

Receive one salary but teach two levels

There is a reality in highland schools in Quang Nam that each teacher, although receiving a salary from one school, also takes care of and teaches two levels of education: preschool and primary school.

Mr. Pham Van Tien said that he teaches primary school students at Tra Don Primary Boarding School, and receives about 6 million VND per month as a contract teacher. His main job is at the primary level, but he is also "concurrently" taking care of and instructing 10 preschool students.

"These are children from the village around the school where I teach. Because of the difficult conditions, I feel so sorry for them that every day I bring them in to guide and take care of them along with 6 elementary school students," Mr. Tien shared.

Young female teachers on the way to the school in village 3, Tra Vinh commune - Photo: TIEN VAN.

To let students stay until the afternoon, Mr. Tien said he cooked, prepared sleeping quarters, and took care of children staying at school at noon. The cost of food and supplies was supported by a charity fund for education in mountainous areas.

"I love the children so I volunteered to do it. No one asked me to. Because the children here also suffer a lot" - Mr. Tien said.

Similarly, Mr. Ho Van Xuan (29 years old), a teacher at Ong Thai school, village 4 Nuoc Xa (Tra Don primary boarding school, Nam Tra My district) has been going to class for the past few weeks in a state of feeling as if he had just waded through the fields. The school where Mr. Xuan teaches has a total of 20 students, a 4-hour walk from the commune center.

Although he is an elementary school teacher, Mr. Xuan takes care of preschool children - Photo: TIEN VAN.

Like other teachers in other mountain villages, Mr. Xuan carries his backpack and disappears into the mountains at the beginning of the week, only coming out on the weekends.

The school also has no electricity or phone signal. Mr. Xuan not only teaches primary school children but also preschool-age children in the village.

"On weekdays, around 11am I finish class and then gather firewood to cook food for the children. At noon, teachers and students sleep together in the classroom and then continue studying in the afternoon," said Mr. Xuan.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thay-co-giao-o-quang-nam-den-lop-ma-nhu-loi-ruong-2024112312125011.htm