No matter how busy he is as a farmer and a hired worker, Sung A Chiu in Co De Xang B village of Xeo Di Ho commune in Mu Cang Chai district never misses a meeting of the ‘parent club’ of his five- and three-year-old sons’ classes at Xeo Di Ho Kindergarten. 

At first, he was reluctant to join because he believed it is the teachers' job to take care of the children at school. He attended a meeting because of his respect for the teacher and became fond of participating in the meetings. 

Together with his children, he follows the teacher's guidance. As his children have fun, he realises that teaching is not simple and educating children at home has a great role to play.

Giang Thi Cha in Xeo Di Ho A village, who has a five-year-old child enrolling in the kindergarten, said that she has never been absent from the meetings and always teaches her child at home. In case there are parts she does not understand, the teacher will help her.

Head of Xeo Di Ho Kindergarten in Mu Cang Chai Hoang Thi Tam said the school launched the model at the start of the 2021-2022 academic year. Although it is just the first year, the model proves effective in education and improves the school’s quality. A club is formed in each class for children aged 3-5, bringing the total number to 12.

Parents are enthusiastic and take part in all the meetings as there is not one without participants. If parents are occupied, grandparents and older siblings can attend on their behalf. The meetings help them gain skills and knowledge to teach children when they are at home.

The model was carried out in line with a KOICA project at kindergartens and elementary schools in the communes of Lao Chai, Mo De, Cao Pha and Nam Co. 

Deputy head of the division of education and training of Mu Cang Chai district Nguyen Huong Giang said when the project ended, releasing the model’s efficiency and impacts, the division asked schools to maintain the clubs’ activities and multiplied to other schools in the district. 

To date, all kindergartens have such clubs and they bring about positive results, which is the target of the project following its pilot run.

Via the clubs, concerns, demand and aspirations related to education are regularly shared between parents and schools, facilitating all activities of both sides, especially for schools whose semi-boarding services are offered by local residents. 

Of note, for students in mountainous and ethnic-inhabited regions, support from parents will enhance the quality of children’s education and care, thereby building a friendly learning environment and helping ethnic students learn Vietnamese language.