Students in Bình Tân District eagerly study with computers. — Photo courtesy of the project management board

HCM CITY — New rooms for psychological counselling have become a trusted refuge for many students in Bình Tân District, the most populous district in Việt Nam.

Along with new computers and water filtration systems, the counselling rooms are part of a project to enhance school facilities for the benefit of children as well as their teachers and parents.

These efforts, under the project 'Building Safe and Quality Schools for Children in Bình Tân District, HCM City', have helped improve the school for many of the district's children from migrant families or those living in difficulties.

The project is funded by the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF) and implemented by ActionAid Việt Nam (ActionAid) and the Aid for Social Protection Programs Foundation Việt Nam (AFV), in cooperation with the Bình Tân District People's Committee.

It aims to help children in the district access quality education and a safe, inclusive learning environment.

Since the work started in March 2021 with a budget of over VNĐ10.5 billion (US$413,800), as many as 234 computers, three solar-powered water filtration systems, and three psychological counselling rooms for students have been donated by the project.

Other donations include more than 3,300 reference books for green libraries in participating schools, 45 sets of tables and chairs, swimming lessons for 120 students, bookcases and sunshades provided to three schools in Bình Tân.

The project also supported the construction of two shading systems for school yards and repaired restrooms.

Many training courses and communication programmes on children's rights have also been organised for teachers, students and parents through the project.

Most importantly, research has been done on the need for psychological counselling in schools, with support for students and teachers to establish counselling corners, contributing to making schools in the district safer and better for all.

The safe and quality school project brings joy and happiness to students.

Speaking at the project's closing ceremony, Lê Thị Ngọc Dung, Deputy Chairwoman of the Bình Tân District People's Committee, said: "The project has substantially improved the quality of education for children in Bình Tân District with both hardware and software support. The district has over 800,000 residents, many of whom are migrants, and the need for more schools has never been more urgent”.

“We acknowledge the project's contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 on ensuring an inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, initiated by the United Nations and with active participation from Việt Nam," she said.

Sharing about her own journey, Lê Thị Minh Anh, a student at the Kim Đồng Primary School, said, "Previously, whether at school or at home, I was hesitant to talk to my parents, teachers and friends about my difficulties. Our teachers and the project guided me and my friends on communication skills and how to identify and solve problems in a calm and non-violent way.”

“I also learned how to discuss with classmates and schoolmates, and we learned about school violence and cyberbullying to prevent them. I participated in many activities and practised a lot, so I became more confident and open. Going to school is now a joy for me, every day,” she said. — VNS