Literacy and primary education classes for Cham and Raglai people in Xuan Hai and Vinh Hai communes (Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province) are open three days a week. The sounds of students spelling and reading make the school space bustling during the summer.

Determined to learn to read and write like friends

When the clock just struck 6:30 p.m., Ms. Thanh Thi Thien pushed her wheelchair on the village road with her daughter Ly Thi Huong (31 years old, in Phuoc Nhon 1 village, Xuan Hai commune) to the literacy class at Mai Thuc Loan Primary and Secondary School.

The image of a mother pushing a wheelchair with her child to class makes many people admire the studious spirit of both mother and child.

Mrs. Thien confided: “The distance from home to school is more than 1km. Due to a congenital disability since childhood, Huong has had many difficulties in traveling. I myself am illiterate, so the two of us encouraged each other to go to school together to learn to read and write.”

“Many times when Huong went out and saw her friends singing karaoke or reading news online, she felt sad when she got home. Now that she knew there was a class, Huong was determined to go to school. On the way, mother and daughter encouraged each other to study well,” Ms. Thien said with a smile.

While carefully writing each letter, Ms. Huong said as if boasting: “Now I can write and read many words. Before, I couldn’t even write my own name. Now I can sing karaoke songs that I like.”

Teacher Phu Thi Tot - teacher at Mai Thuc Loan Primary and Secondary School, homeroom teacher of grade 1 - shared: "The majority of my class is ethnic minorities, most of them are between 40 and 60 years old, so it is difficult to practice writing. During class, the students absorb the lessons a bit slowly and forget things easily. However, their spirit and attitude towards learning are commendable."

Teacher Thanh Thi Kim Trang - Vice Principal of Mai Thuc Loan Primary and Secondary School - said that the literacy class, opened in the summer of 2023, the school organized 4 literacy classes with 83 students studying the first and second grade programs.

This year, the school continued to open 4 literacy classes for the first phase in May, with 49 students. Of these, 36 students studied the 3rd grade program and 13 students studied the 1st grade program.

“The students are of different ages and are all Cham ethnic people. The school assigns 6 teachers who are local, energetic, enthusiastic in teaching, helping the people to read, write, and calculate to be more confident and apply the knowledge they have learned in life,” said Ms. Trang.

Disabled man walks 2km to stay in literacy class for nearly 3 years

At the literacy class in Cau Gay village (Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district), we witnessed the dire circumstances of Mr. Cao Van Kem. Although he has been disabled in his legs since childhood, since 2022, he has attended classes regularly, listened attentively to lectures seriously, and is determined to learn to read and write.

“From home to class is about 2km, if you walk like other people it would be fast, but because I am disabled I walk slowly, resting as I go. I have to leave an hour early to get to class on time” – Mr. Kem said.

He said he was illiterate before, but since starting this class he has learned to read and write. “This year I am in 4th grade, and every night I go to class I am happy,” Kem said excitedly.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Hao - Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Training of Ninh Hai district - said that in addition to 4 literacy classes at Mai Thuc Loan Primary and Secondary School, Ninh Hai district is currently organizing 7 first-phase literacy classes for Raglai people in Cau Gay and Da Hang villages (Vinh Hai commune) with 76 students studying the program from grades 1 to 5.

“The district has been organizing literacy classes since 2022, and up to now, many older students are still attending classes. There are many cases where they are very eager to learn, such as Mr. Kem, or two 75-year-olds who not only attend school regularly but also encourage their children to attend classes. Thanks to that, the number of students is increasing, not decreasing,” Mr. Hao shared.

According to him, the organization of literacy classes has been well received by localities and students, bringing positive results, helping many ethnic minorities learn to read and write to be more confident in life.

Literacy class for Raglai ethnic women

TTO – For many months now, teacher Mang Phuoc, a Ralgai ethnic, has opened a literacy class for women in Xom Bang village, Bac Son commune, Thuan Bac district, Ninh Thuan province, attracting many people to come and study.