After 30 years of construction and development, from a small-scale facility with poor facilities for disabled children, the Tuong Lai (Future) Specialised School has gradually overcome difficulties, and successfully fulfilled its mission of helping disadvantaged students to rise up and confidently integrate into the community.

Principal of the Tuong Lai Specialised School Nguyen Duy Quy (first, right) received a Certificate of Merit from the Da Nang People's Committee in the emulation movement for the 2023-2024 school year. Photo: THIEN DUYEN

The Future Specialised School was established on December 1, 1994 with the original name of the Future School for Disabled Children under the management of the Da Nang Department of Education and Training.

This school specialises in teaching letters and training vocational skills for disabled pupils. Recalling the early days of its establishment, the teachers here said that the school was previously just a small-scale facility for disabled children with poor facilities. Most of the teachers had no experience in teaching disadvantaged children but enthusiasm and responsibility.

Up to now, the school has had two campuses: the first at 22 Tran Binh Trong Street in Hai Chau District specialising in teaching preschool and junior high school pupils, and the second at 88A Huy Can Street in Cam Le District specialising in teaching primary school pupils.

In 30 years of striving and accompanying children with disabilities, generations of school staff and teachers have constantly made efforts, devoting all their love to caring for and educating the children better and better, thereby helping them be more confident, active and independent in life. Many children after studying at the school can be independent, earn an income and start a family.

In the 2024-2025 school year, the whole school has 277 pupils in total, divided into 24 classes at 3 levels of preschool, primary and junior high school. Most of the pupils here are hearing-impaired, intellectually disabled and autistic, and from poor families or are orphans. Therefore, the work of teachers here has many unique characteristics, unlike other teachers.

After more than 11 years working at this school, Ms. Pham Thi Ha, Head of the Intellectual Disability Education Group 2, said that some of the pupils here do not want to interact with anyone, some are disruptive, some are slow to speak, or do not recognise things around them. Some are 10 years old but are like 1-2 year old children, not knowing any social skills, even simple ones like talking, holding, dressing, and going to the toilet by themselves. The hours of these special classes are not simply about teaching listening and speaking skills, developing language, and thinking, but also the patience and efforts of each teacher.

“Each child here has a separate world, so teachers will have to have a “separate lecture” to teach each child. Every time we see the children progress, doing seemingly simple things like reading and eating by themselves, we are very happy and joyful, all the fatigue and pressure of work disappears", Ms. Ha expressed.

Currently, the whole school has 64 cadres, teachers, and employees, who have been trained and developed in special skills. Among them, many teachers have been with the school for nearly 30 years, from the early days when there were many difficulties. With nearly 24 years of experience with the school, 17 years of teaching deaf pupils, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu considers the school her second home, and the pupils here are like her own children.

Despite work pressure and low income, the school’s teachers embrace wholeheartedness to pupils, and like a second mother to the less fortunate children.

Ms. Thu shared that the first days in class were quite bewildering, because her pedagogical knowledge "had no place to perform" with these special children. However, with the help of colleagues and the opportunity to interact more with the children, she truly loved this job, trying her best to help them improve.

"Fortunately, the leaders and colleagues here are always united, seeing each other as family. Whenever someone encounters difficulties, everyone wholeheartedly supports and helps them with all their might. It is that sentiment that has brought the school community into a unified entity, everyone is attached, overcomes difficulties, and devotes themselves to their beloved pupils" Ms. Thu confided.

Children with disabilities should have special education and go on a special path. And to be successful, teachers here always have to find solutions for children to achieve results on the next stage.

According to the Principal of Tuong Lai Specialised School Nguyen Duy Quy, the pupils here are taught the 2018 General Education Programme, with a reduced workload to suit the pupils' abilities. At the same time, they are taught a special education programme, focusing on 3 skills: communication, social skills and self-service.

Teaching students with disabilities has its own characteristics, requiring great efforts from each teacher. Therefore, the school's Board of Directors always encourages cadres, teachers and staff to try their best and devote their feelings to the pupils. No matter how difficult or hard it is, they always put the peace and safety of the pupils first.

“Over the past 30 years, the school has always received the attention of the municipal leaders at all levels, departments, branches, localities, charitable organisations and individuals, who have encouraged visits, provided material and spiritual support. All of these have created motivation for generations of cadres, teachers and staff to strive and devote their efforts to caring for and educating pupils. Hopefully, the school will always be a place filled with peaceful and warm memories of generations of teachers and pupils, helping children with disabilities to have a bright future” said Mr. Quy.

Reporting by THIEN DUYEN – Translating by M.DUNG