By Anh Tran | Deputy Executive Director
In discussing what constitutes a happy school, one might envision well-equipped facilities, modern machinery, cheerful classrooms, ample meals, where students not only absorb modern knowledge but also thrive amidst the innocence of childhood smiles.
A happy school could be lofty and grand, yet it can also be profoundly simple, as encountered in our field journeys, assessing and constructing joyful schools, and promoting equitable education across Vietnam.
"I like a school with plenty of water."
Fourth-grader A, of the Tày ethnic group, attending Cao Son Elementary and Middle School in à Bac district, Hoà Bình province, loves going to school despite the 8 kilometers from home. Each school day is a joyful occasion for A. T, who at 9 years old, shorter than peers, not only walks over 8 kilometers to school daily but also carries water to drink. Due to a lack of clean water at school, parents must rise early each day to fetch and boil water for T to take, yet even this water isn't always sanitary, sourced from streams or poorly treated edges of fields. Consequently, the precious water T carries sometimes causes stomachaches and persistent thirst. When speaking with us, T remarked, "I like a school with plenty of water."
Simple essentials like clean water and proper sanitation facilities are fundamental but bring happiness to the learning experiences not only for A and T but also for over 555 ethnic minority students at Cao Son Elementary and Middle School. In June 2024, the "Ambassador of Abundant Water" event was organized for Cao Son School students, creating a joyful summer playground while also promoting messages on proper water usage, conservation, and personal hygiene among the students. The students eagerly engaged in learning about the importance of clean water, boiling water to 100 degrees Celsius, water conservation, and the Ministry of Health's 6-step handwashing technique, alongside participating in a handwashing dance with footballer Nhâm Manh Dung from Viettel Sport FC, as guest at the event
By Tran Van Anh | Deputy Executive Director
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