Accompanying disadvantaged students

With the motto of not letting any student miss the national high school graduation exam due to difficulties with food, accommodation, or transportation, high schools across Lang Son province have actively reviewed and developed support plans for students in difficult circumstances, especially those in remote areas, to help them achieve the best possible results in the exam.

For the 2025 national high school graduation exam, nearly 10,000 students from 47 high schools in the province have registered to take the exam at 22 test sites. According to the provincial education sector's report, at some schools, many students have to travel far from home and rent accommodation to attend the exam, facing numerous challenges requiring both material and emotional support.

Mr. Dang Hong Cuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, shared: "In addition to fully preparing facilities, personnel, and exam organization plans, we pay special attention to supporting students, especially those in difficult circumstances and remote areas. We have instructed schools and exam sites to proactively review and compile lists of students in need of support, and to coordinate with parents, local authorities, and mass organizations to arrange food, accommodation, and transportation for students throughout the exam period. The general spirit is to create the best conditions so that every student can participate in the exam, ensuring no one has to skip it due to difficult circumstances."

Following directives from the provincial exam steering committee, high schools in the area have identified around 1,000 students with financial or logistical challenges to build suitable support plans. Additionally, schools across the province have mobilized over 560 million VND to support students with accommodation, transportation, lunch, and study materials.

Student Hoang Phi Yen, class 12C4, Dinh Lap High School, shared: "My home is in Na Khum village, Lam Ca commune, nearly 30 km from Dinh Lap town. At this time, many of my classmates have gone home to self-study and wait for the exam, but I chose to stay at the boarding house to save on travel costs and have a quiet space to focus. At first, I was very worried about how I would manage meals and rest between exams, but thankfully the school informed us that lunch, water, and necessary supplies would be provided. That really put my mind at ease so I could focus on studying."

This year, Dinh Lap High School has 197 students participating in the national exam, including 20 students in difficult circumstances. To support them, the school has mobilized community resources to provide each of these students with 300,000 VND. In addition to its own students, the school also hosts 78 students from the Center for Vocational Education and Continuing Education, the Cao Loc District Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary and High School, and independent candidates. During this period, the school has worked with the Youth Union to set up volunteer teams to help transport students, clean the exam site, distribute exam supply kits to 275 students, provide drinking water, and cook 90 free lunch meals daily throughout the exam period.

It has also been found that, to ensure students arrive at the test site on time, schools have proactively prepared plans to deal with adverse weather conditions (such as floods and landslides caused by storms). Each school has created a list of test-takers with complete information: names, addresses, phone numbers of students and their families, and noted which students require special support. These lists are provided to volunteer teams who monitor the situation. If a student is not present as the exam time approaches, teachers will immediately notify the volunteer team to call the student and their family, or even go to their home to escort them to the test site.

Moreover, schools have encouraged students who live far away to consider renting rooms or staying with classmates near the test site, especially in case of heavy rain. Students are also guided to prepare flexible travel plans in case their usual routes are affected by floods or landslides. School administrators with test sites have contacted nearby kindergartens and primary schools to arrange resting areas and mobilize free meal support for students from distant areas. In particular, many school leaders have also called on organizations and businesses to sponsor scholarships, meal and travel costs, and provide food and water for disadvantaged students.

Teacher To Viet, Principal of Tu Doan High School (Loc Binh District), said: "This year, Tu Doan High School has 166 12th-grade students taking the exam, coming from various communes like San Vien, Tinh Bac, Tu Mich, Tu Doan, and Khuat Xa. Some students live up to 20 km away, making travel extremely difficult. Especially since the terrain here is divided by many rivers and streams, heavy rain can easily cause flooding or landslides, making it hard for students to reach the test site. Therefore, we contacted Tu Doan 1 Kindergarten to arrange temporary accommodation for students. Before June 25, we will encourage students who live far or must cross rivers to stay near the test site to ensure punctual attendance. So far, 34 students have registered to stay nearby; 43 have registered for lunch and dinner support. These meals are funded through social contributions, ensuring students can focus on the exam."

In addition to logistical support, many schools are also focusing on tutoring and reviewing for disadvantaged students. Notably, at Cao Loc District Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary and High School, most students come from challenging backgrounds. To support them, the school's teachers' union launched the "No rest Sundays reaching for dreams" initiative. Every Sunday, exam prep teachers volunteer their time to teach 12th-grade students without pay, under the motto “Teachers accompany, students persevere,” aiming to help students confidently face the important exam ahead.

Through many practical efforts, schools and local authorities across the province are pooling resources and demonstrating their highest level of responsibility to ensure that students—especially those from disadvantaged areas—can confidently take part in the national exam. It is believed that with the support of all sectors and the companionship of society, students taking the 2025 national high school graduation exam will achieve their best results.