Teacher K'Dinh of Tan Phuc Primary school in Binh Thuan province and his pupils

In addition to teaching, teachers in remote mountain areas must build a close bond with their pupils’ families to encourage them to send their children to school.

K'Dinh, a teacher in charge of pupils’ affairs at Tan Phuc Primary school in Binh Thuan province, told us pupils often quit school around grade 7 or 8 in order to go to work in the city.

Teacher K’Dinh says he always tries to change his pupils’ awareness.

“I’ve been to many places and met many disadvantaged children. I create entertainment and cultural activities for my pupils so they will love school more. I encoaurage their parents and speak at community events to inspire a passion for learning,” said K’Dinh.

Ly Thuong Kiet primary school in Chư Prông district, Gia Lai province

Dinh Thi Kem of the H’re ethnic group teaches at Hanh Dung primary school in Quang Ngai province. She says she understands hardships of ethnic people. She encourages her pupils to study in order to have a better life.

Teacher Kem said: “I’ve visited every family many times to encourage the children to go to school. When I was teaching grade 1, some pupils missed school to follow their parents to the fields. I followed them and took the children back to class. Now they listen to my advice.”

Thua Thien-Hue province has suffered from continuous storms and floods in recent months. Many mountain roads have been damaged, making it difficult for pupils to get to school.

Teacher Le Anh Dung of Dang Dung Secondary School in Quang Dien district, Thua Thien-Hue province, said: “This is a low-lying area. Houses were inundated, ruining books and notebooks. The school has collected school supplies and money to help the pupils.”

The thousands of teachers who are teaching pupils in remote, mountainous, and disadvantaged areas are helping them enjoy better lives.