THINKING ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A TEACHER FROM A BUSINESS TRIP TO THE HIGHLANDS

(Feelings and notes of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan - Lecturer of Accounting Faculty, Dai Nam University, after inspecting the 2025 National High School Graduation Exam in Son La province)

There are trips that seem to be just professional tasks, but become an unforgettable milestone in the career journey, because it not only touches the eyes of the observer, but also touches the heart of the teacher. The working trip to Son La of the delegation of Dai Nam University - in the role of checking the 2025 National High School Graduation Exam - left me and my colleagues with many concerns. Not only are there notes about the exam organization, but also deep emotions about the teaching profession, about people, and about the mission of educators.

Delegation of Dai Nam University conducted inspection of the 2025 National High School Graduation Exam in Son La

From the Northwest roads…

Before the sun had even woken up in the capital, a delegation of Dai Nam University staff had set off, traveling more than 300 kilometers through winding mountain passes to reach Son La. Through Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Moc Chau… each bend is a part of the majestic and idyllic landscape – where nature and highland life intertwine poetically and realistically.

For many members of the delegation, this was the first time coming to Son La - the first time witnessing a national exam in a remote area; and also the first time touching the reality of many shortages of mountainous schools.

…to the simple classrooms, the innocent eyes of the students

22 exam sites are spread across remote districts such as Sop Cop, Song Ma, Muong Lam… Some places have no phone signal, the roads are slippery, and rain can come suddenly at any time. But there, we see images of simple schools nestled on the mountainside, faded blackboards, old desks and chairs but neatly arranged, clean – ready for an important exam.

We met students who walked for hours across streams and forests to get to the exam site. We met teachers from the highlands who quietly came to school early in the morning, with eyes full of responsibility and love. In the midst of hardship, each small action was enough to touch our hearts and make us understand that: education is a journey of dedication and companionship.

Two officers of Dai Nam University at Muong La High School exam site, It Ong Town, Muong La District, Son La Province

And think about the responsibility of being a teacher

When returning to Hanoi, each person's luggage was not only work reports, but also deep emotions. Not only because of the handshakes, the late-night conversations on the way to work, but also because we had truly touched a very real side of education - where dedication is not in the curriculum, but is shown through each student's eyes, each effort of the children in the highlands.

A big question arises in everyone's heart: If one day, those students step into the university lecture hall - through the rainy season of walking to school, the meals with chayote soup, the evenings studying under oil lamps... then how will we - the teachers - teach them?

The answer was: “ We will not be able to continue teaching as before. ”

You can’t teach with knowledge alone. You can’t ignore children when they are slow to understand or tired. Because behind those signs may be a journey of deprivation, and the extraordinary willpower of children who have learned to be resilient in silence.

We will teach with all our hearts – to understand, to be patient, to accompany and never abandon anyone just because they cannot keep up.

Delegation of Dai Nam University staff at Mai Son High School exam site, Son La

The teacher - is the one who sows faith

More than imparting knowledge, a teacher is someone who inspires hope, someone who kindles the desire to live in each student. And to do that, sometimes, we need to go on a journey, need to listen, need to return to ourselves – to remember why we chose to be teachers.

This trip to the highlands was more than just a professional mission. It was a touching reminder:

Being a teacher requires not only expertise, but also a lot of heart.

We – the teachers from Dai Nam University – have truly “traveled together” on a special journey. And when we returned, we understood that: Every lecture, every look at the students from now on will have an additional layer of sympathy – deep, sincere and complete.

Nguyen Du High School, Phieng Tam Village, Chieng Den Commune, Son La Province