Teachers and students join in “Safe Schools – Confident Futures” project. — Photo Courtesy of Swire Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam

TÂY NINH — Hundreds of teachers and students in the southern province of Tây Ninh will benefit from the “Safe Schools – Confident Futures” project, which aims to strengthen safety skills within schools.

The project is jointly organised by Teaching for Vietnam (TFV), Mai Thb Non Primary School – Branch 1, local authorities in Bến Lức Commune and Swire Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam.

It focuses on equipping teachers to guide students, giving students opportunities to practise safety skills and providing schools with resources to sustain safety activities. The project treats safety as a life skill that can be developed through experience and incorporated into daily life.

Nguyễn Thành Nam, chairman of the Bến Lức Commune People’s Committee, said building safe schools required the combined efforts of families, schools, local authorities, businesses and the wider community.

“We hope the knowledge and skills provided through the programme will continue to be shared and translated into everyday habits and a culture of safety in classrooms, families and the community,” he said.

According to the Department of Health’s Environmental Management, more than 370,000 children in Việt Nam are injured in accidents each year, with about 6,600 fatalities — equivalent to around 18 children a day. Common risks include drowning, road traffic accidents, fires and explosions, electric shocks and injuries at school.

Bến Lức Commune’s major transport routes and extensive network of rivers and canals underscore the need to equip students with skills to prevent and respond to potential risks.

The “Safe Schools – Confident Futures” project aims to go beyond teaching children to recognise hazards by helping them respond when risks arise. During the 2026–27 school year, it is being implemented through training, practice and knowledge-sharing, starting with teachers and extending to students.

As part of the programme, 18 core teachers received training in hazard identification, risk assessment and control, and basic first aid. Another 70 core students learned and practised how to identify hazards, prevent accidents, protect themselves, seek help and respond to emergencies.

At the launch event, more than 100 students took part in interactive challenges on road safety, fire prevention, drowning prevention, electric-shock prevention and basic first aid. Teachers also had the opportunity to apply what they had learned and take a greater role in leading safety activities at school.

The programme included a “Safety Ambassador” competition, in which students used drawings to share what they had learned and communicate safety messages to their peers.

Mai Thị Non Primary School – branch 1 also received 16 first-aid kits and safety instruction boards to support safety education and emergency response. — VNS