Literacy in 4.0 era

ĐBP - When darkness blankets the border commune of Mường Pồn, the lights at Mường Mươn Primary School No.1 flicker to life for phase 2 literacy classes.

Interestingly, this program goes beyond traditional reading and writing by offering elective subjects based on the practical needs and aspirations of the learners. Recognizing the importance of modern connectivity, the school has integrated informatics into the curriculum to help students navigate the digital world.

Launched on September 8, 2025, the class hosts 18 students from Mường Mươn 1 and Mường Mươn 2 villages. To accommodate their daily routines, lessons are held every evening from Sunday to Thursday. Amidst the current era of digital integration, the school dedicates one session per week to basic computer skills and technology access. Consequently, these night sessions are filled not just with the sounds of spelling, but with the rhythmic clicking of keyboards as students in their sixties begin their journey to conquer digital technology with their hardworking, calloused hands.

A literacy class session at Mường Mươn Primary School No.1.

Shortly after 7:00PM, Quàng Văn Yêu from Mường Mươn 1 village quickly finishes his meal and urges his wife, Quàng Thị Hồng, to hurry so they won’t be late for the computer lesson. After a quick cleanup, the elderly couple travels across the steep roads toward the bright lights of the school. Both had previously completed primary education but were forced to quit decades ago to help their families on the farm. Having spent over half their lives away from books, they had forgotten most of their literacy skills. Now that their children are grown, they have returned to the classroom with a firm determination not to be left behind. Quàng Văn Yêu shares that literacy is now essential everywhere and expresses his excitement about learning to use computers and social media, which he finds incredibly beneficial.

Unlike traditional literacy classes with only blackboards and chalk, the informatics hour is always lively. Touching a keyboard for the first time, Lò Thị Nhung from Mường Mươn 2 village could not hide her delight as the screen lit up before her eyes. From getting familiar with the hardware to typing her first words and accessing digital platforms, everything is a brand-new experience. Her hands, rough from years of labor, now carefully practice typing her name in Word. She reflects that while she once watched her children study without understanding what they were doing, she now realizes how wonderful computers are and feels joyful to be keeping up with modern society.

Teacher Lò Thị Hồng guiding a student on how to use a computer and access digital platforms.

Cà Văn Khánh from Mường Mươn 1 village notes that the classes have brought positive changes to family life. In his village alone, 11 people attend. Previously, men would often gather to drink or go to bed early, but now everyone attends class diligently without missing a single session. Lò Thị Hồng, the informatics teacher, recalls the early days when residents were anxious and worried about accidentally breaking the equipment. Teachers had to offer constant encouragement, physically guiding their hands to use the mouse and power on the machines. While teaching adults is more challenging than teaching primary students, the curiosity and determination of the learners provide the teachers with the motivation to stay late and answer every question.

Principal Phạm Thị Ngân explains that the school assigns five teachers to the program to ensure the quality of instruction. Since the class is held at the central campus, it benefits from full facilities and a dedicated computer lab. This setup ensures that learners not only become literate but also gain essential skills to access information and use digital platforms. This is considered an urgent requirement in modern life, helping residents keep pace with technology to improve production, trade, and access to public services.

For several months, these digital literacy sessions in Mường Pồn have often lasted until past 10:00PM. While the roads back to the villages are shrouded in the silence of the night, the school remains lit. Through the efforts of the teachers and the persistent spirit of the students, these classes are lighting a path of hope for border ethnic communities, ensuring that every keystroke opens a door to a more prosperous future.

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