Writing contest "Beloved teacher": Teachers are like fathers to students in mountainous areas

Born in Tam Giang village, Nui Thanh commune, Da Nang city - a poor coastal area of Quang Nam province (old), Mr. Nguyen Khac Diep's childhood was spent in deprivation and loss.

Take care of every meal and sleep for students

Without his father at an early age, all the family burdens fell on his mother's thin shoulders. But amidst countless difficulties, the young boy Diep still nurtured a strong desire: to study, to escape poverty and change his life. "Although my family was very poor, I always believed that only education could help me go further, could help my mother to have less hardship" - Mr. Diep shared. That simple dream gave him the strength to overcome the most difficult days to go to the lecture hall of the University of Education - University of Da Nang , where he graduated with a degree in history education in 2000.

After graduating, instead of finding a stable job in the city, Mr. Diep chose a different path - to work in the mountainous region of Nam Tra My, where literacy was still scarce, children were still lacking food, clothing and dreams. From the first step on that remote land, he knew: He had not chosen the wrong path.

For him, the lack is not only material but also exists in the parents' perception. He said: "In my hometown, we were poor, but I still had my mother and the village to take care of me. But here, the children lack support. Many ethnic minority families still believe that knowing how to read and write is enough, so children often drop out of school to follow their parents to the fields."

These things made Mr. Diep even more determined. He was not only a teacher but also a person who encouraged each family to send their children to class, and a devoted father who took care of every meal for the boarding students.

With the belief that "if we cannot retain our students, all our lectures are meaningless", he has sought ways to improve the learning environment in a creative way, suitable for the characteristics of the highlands. He once organized a "meal bidding" model to ensure nutrition in the context of limited budget. Many community activities such as raising pigs, growing vegetables, fishing, etc. have also been launched in the school to improve meals. At the same time, he constantly calls for help from philanthropists to support books, clothes, and bicycles for the students.

Bài dự thi cuộc thi viết — Teacher Nguyen Khac Diep has been quietly supporting students in remote schools for 25 years. (Photo provided by the character)

Keep the passion for the profession alive in the midst of hardship

Not only imparting knowledge, Mr. Diep is also the one who lights up the light of faith for the children in the highlands. Each lesson for him is not simply a history lecture, but a journey to nurture dreams, a conversation to share, and arouse the desire to rise up. He said: "The children need role models to look up to. Many are orphans, living with their elderly grandparents. If the teachers are not close and understanding, how can they keep them in class?"

Therefore, he always tries to create a friendly and positive learning environment. Extracurricular activities such as campfires, art competitions, and folk games are cleverly integrated into the curriculum so that students feel that going to school is a joy and happiness. For him, a successful lesson is not only when students understand the lesson, but also when they feel loved and have more faith in the future.

On the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025, Mr. Diep organized a gift-giving program for 100 students in especially difficult circumstances, from orphans to poor children who did not have enough warm clothes. He not only mobilized philanthropists but also used his salary to support. More than 700 new clothes were given to the students. "I hope the students feel that Tet, even though simple, is still warm and full," he confided.

Currently, Mr. Nguyen Khac Diep is the Principal of Tra Vinh Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities - one of the most disadvantaged schools in Nam Tra My commune. With rugged mountainous terrain and scattered school sites like terraced fields, teaching and learning here face numerous challenges.

However, he still sets a high goal for the school: to reach national standards by 2026. It is not easy to realize that dream amidst countless shortages, but with the consensus of the teaching staff and the dedication of the leader, that hope is gradually becoming a reality.

Donate land for the journey of sowing letters

Looking back on 25 years of hard work in the wilderness, Mr. Diep still retains the enthusiasm of the early days. Without noise or fanfare, that quiet journey has helped many poor students continue their dream of studying. During 25 years of working in the highland communes of Nam Tra My district (old), Mr. Diep's footprints were imprinted on steep rocky roads and makeshift schools sheltered from the rain and sun. Each meal and sleep of his students is also something that makes him worried.

In 2023, he caused a stir when he donated 600 square meters of land worth nearly 300 million VND so that Tra Cang Boarding Ethnic Secondary School could have more construction space, creating a better learning environment for students. "I have worked in the mountainous areas for more than 20 years, so I understand very well the lives of the people and teachers living here. To have a solid place to teach the students, I will donate as much land as the district needs," said Mr. Diep.

He also shared emotionally: "Sometimes when I think about my wife and children at home, my wife takes care of everything by herself, I can't help but feel guilty. But fortunately, my wife is also a teacher, so she understands and always stands by me." It is the love from her family that gives him strength to continue his mission. He only hopes that the government and local authorities will continue to care for teachers in remote areas. Only then will there be enough motivation to stick with it for a long time and contribute more to the education career.

Very precious!

Mr. Nguyen Khac Diep's journey does not stop at bringing letters to the highlands, but is a journey to sow hope and faith in the future. Mr. Vo Dang Thuan - Head of the Department of Education and Training of Nam Tra My district (old), now Nam Tra My commune, Da Nang city - commented: "Mr. Nguyen Khac Diep is a dedicated teacher. His donation of land to build a school is very valuable, contributing to the construction of the Tra Cang Ethnic Boarding School - Secondary School, Nam Tra My commune, more spacious, students have a decent place to study, colleagues have more conditions to contribute".