Cao Bằng helps disabled children integrate into society

A teacher and student have fun learning at the school for children with disabilities in Cao Bằng Province. — Photo nhandan.vn

CAO BẰNG — The Education Centre in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bằng has become a special place for many children with disabilities over the past 15 years.

The efforts and enthusiasm of the teachers helped students rehabilitate, develop and integrate into society and also opened ‘new pages’ in their lives.

Seventy children from three to 10 years old are currently studying at the school.

Beside regular education, students suffering many different types of disabilities were taught life skills, and provided with rehabilitation.

After general classes and physical activities, each teacher will focus on teaching each student to help the children develop their own abilities.

Every teacher tried hard to teach and help them so they can join other normal schools after a couple of years studying at this centre. 

Teachers have to work very hard, said Ngân Thị Nhung, a teacher of the school. 

“The most difficulty in educating children with disabilities is that they do not cooperate with teachers when first entering the centre,” Nhung told Nhân Dân (The People) newspaper.

Sometimes in class with only one teacher and one student, the child only cried or did something and did not pay attention to the lesson, requiring each teacher to be patient to help the child boldly develop. 

Founded in 2007, the school has eight classrooms including four for primary students, three for pre-primary and one for children with disabilities.

Children studying at the school do not have to pay tuition fees. Many of them are also supported VNĐ600,000 per month under a resolution of the provincial People’s Council in supporting disabled children, according to Tô Thị Nga, deputy head of the education centre.

Ngô Kiến Huy, a child with difficulties in mobility, entered the school in September 2021. Now he is able to walk on his own after six months. 

Nông Thị Trâm, Huy’s grandmother, said her family is very happy with Huy’s progress. Her family had taken him to Hà Nội and abroad for treatment, but it was not really effective. 

“His parents ran out of tears but now they are so happy,” Trâm said. 

A deaf student from Cao Bằng City, Ôn Tiến Minh, can integrate and study in a normal primary school after studying at the centre in two years. 

After leaving schools, some students can follow higher levels of education and some can get jobs.

Nga said the centre will send teachers to take part in training courses to improve their skills for children with disabilities in the future. — VNS