The government’s educational project targeting nine minority ethnic groups with populations under 5,000 has produced positive results after four years of implementation. According to Nguyen Hoa, Deputy Director of the provincial Education and Training Department of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum, the projects has kindled a desire for learning in children of the targeted communities with class-attending rate maintained at a high level. As more children go to schools and obtain knowledge, outdated customs in the community have been gradually eliminated, he added. Under the program, classrooms and boarding facilities were built in remote areas, improving access to education for local children. The program also offered lessons and teaching method specially designed for those learners as well as training courses for teachers. Besides exemption of school fees, the pupils of the nine ethnic groups are given monthly allowance to help with their living expenses and can choose to study at boarding schools at elementary or secondary schools. This has encouraged ethnic children to pursue higher education. In the coming time, more poverty-alleviation efforts and investment in school building and teacher training are needed to continue this meaningful project. (vietnamplus.vn Jan 5)
