Despite daily challenges, teachers maintain attendance rates of more than 98% and help reduce school dropouts through dedication both inside and outside the classroom.
Established in 2007 and adopting the semi-boarding model in 2014, the school currently has 17 classes and 522 students from the Bana and Kinh ethnic groups, including 259 boarding students.
Its staff of 36 teachers are responsible not only for teaching but also for encouraging families to send children to school, caring for students in living quarters, and supporting their academic development.
Principal Tran Trung Hieu said the journey to school requires navigating mountain passes and muddy roads. Many teachers must travel long distances but remain committed to accompanying students in their daily learning.
He noted that the teachers’ sacrifices are driven by the desire to help students succeed and lift their communities out of hardship.
Among them is culture teacher Quach Van Hien, 53, who has taught in Krong since 1999. In the early years, he walked more than three hours through forests to reach a village school with only two bamboo classrooms and fewer than 18 students.
Many families initially resisted schooling, but his persistent efforts helped convince parents to send children to class. He said watching students grow and succeed makes every challenge worthwhile.
English teacher Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, who joined the school in the 2024–2025 academic year, travels nearly 280 kilometers round trip each week from Quy Nhon Bac ward to teach.
Students often have limited Vietnamese language ability, requiring her to teach using both Vietnamese and ethnic languages to help them follow lessons. She said the motivation to continue comes from the students themselves.
For many teachers, classroom duties extend to daily life skills. Boarding students, far from home for the first time, depend on teachers for guidance in personal hygiene, daily routines, and preparation for schoolwork. Teachers also monitor students’ meals and rest to ensure they feel secure while living away from their families.
Fifth grader Dinh Thi Mai Phuong from the Bana ethnic group said the first days of boarding life were filled with homesickness, but teachers’ constant care helped students feel safe and motivated to continue studying.
Teachers also make home visits when students are absent. Even in cold or slippery conditions, they travel to villages to meet parents and encourage children to return to school. Homeroom teacher Nguyen Thi Thu Suong said that when students see teachers coming to their homes, they often return to class the next day on their own initiative.
Principal Hieu affirmed that for teachers here, education is an act of compassion as much as duty. Their hope is that students not only persevere in their studies but also achieve a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
