Children with learning difficulties require special teacher support to make the most of their education.

Three years ago, Niem could not read or write properly, despite being in Grade 3. Due to learning difficulties, Niem had also repeated first, second and third grades multiple times, and was struggling to continue her primary school education. However, once she was assigned to Ms Lich`s class, everything changed.

Read Niem’s story below, and how Ms Lich was able to turn the child’s schooling around with a teaching strategy aimed at overcoming learning difficulties.

Getting Niem back to school

Ms Lich, a teacher at a ChildFund-supported primary school in rural Vietnam, has been dedicated to assisting children with learning difficulties for her whole career. Therefore, when Niem was absent from class for the first week of the new school year, Ms Lich visited Niem`s family home to find out what was happening. She discovered that both Niem and her parents were reluctant for her to go to school. They were worried that she would repeat again and her classmates would tease her.

Ms Lich did her best to persuade Niem`s parents to let her continue her education. She promised them that she would teach Niem how to read and write, so that she would not repeat again. With further encouragement from Niem`s elder sister, who Ms Lich had also helped overcome learning difficulties, Niem and her parents decided that she would go back to school.

How Ms Lich helped Niem overcome learning difficulties

Throughout the school year, Ms Lich kept her promise to Niem. She paid special attention to her during class, tutored her after school, and regularly visited her family to update them about her progress. By the end of the year, Niem was able to read, write, and do maths by herself, meeting the requirements to move onto Grade 4 with her other classmates.

“My teacher helped me to read until I was confident to volunteer to read before the class. Ms Lich and all of my other classmates clapped their hands to encourage me and that made me very happy,” says Niem.

How is Niem performing at school now?

Niem is now in Grade 5 and more confident than ever before. Although Ms Lich is no longer her teacher, Niem continues to study hard as she wants to do her proud, and hopes to complete high school in the coming years.

“I am very proud of my career as a teacher. I still love my job and really want to devote myself to helping more children in remote areas,” says Ms Lich.

Recently, the Provincial Department for Education and Training awarded Ms Lich for her great work with children who have learning difficulties. With Ms Nong, the former School Manager also advising that Ms Lich is a “very devoted teacher and a good example for us to follow”.

If there’s one thing we can learn from the story of Niem and Ms Lich, it’s that a passionate teacher can overcome the odds and bring a child a brighter future.

Support the education of children like Niem

There are many other children like Niem, whose education is marred by ineffective approaches to learning difficulties, and a lack of understanding from their parents. You can help change the outcome of their education, and keep them in school.

All it takes is a simple gift. We offer a catalogue of Gifts for Good, including a range of education-focused donations. You could gift school supplies to a child in need, a library of books and resources to a classroom or reduce gender inequality by funding the education of a young girl.

At ChildFund, it’s our mission to ensure every child enjoys the education that they need. We can’t do it alone, but with your help, every child can have a childhood.