Continue to sponsor students in Bac Giang province

On December 7, 2010, the Center for Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Area Development Studies (University of Social Sciences and Humanities) and the Bac Giang Provincial Youth Union conducted a survey to present funding in Son Hai commune - Luc Ngan district - Bac Giang province.The main target of this survey is Son Hai Primary School. According to the school's Board of Directors, Son Hai Primary School is currently lacking in facilities, and the lives of teachers and students are facing many difficulties. Due to the complex terrain, transportation is still difficult and arduous. Students have to travel 4-5km, many students have to row boats to class. Due to the large and scattered area, in addition to the main location, the school also has to organize classes at many separate locations, some of which are nearly 20km away. To improve the quality of learning, the school organizes extra classes for students. However, many students who live far away stay at school for lunch, only having rice balls or instant noodles brought from home, and sometimes they even have to skip meals. Despite many difficulties, the school has strived to universalize education at the right age and ensure that no students drop out of school. Sharing about the difficulties of Son Hai commune in general and Son Hai Primary School in particular, Ms. Ngo Thi Hoa (Deputy Director) said that the Center is expected to grant funding to the locality and the school with a total value of 212 million VND. In addition, the Center will support the commune's staff to participate in training courses to improve their qualifications if the locality has a need. According to the plan, the sponsorship program will be held in the second quarter of 2011. Also in Bac Giang province, on January 5, 2011, the Center for Research on Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas Development will organize a sponsorship award to the Bac Giang Provincial Youth Union with a total value of about 150 million VND.