Vietnamese Teachers' Day: Paying tribute to those who "pass on the fire"

The Party and State always pay special attention and care, have many investment policies and strategies for education ; determine that investment in education is investment for development and is given priority and precedence over other fields.

Teachers and students of Thang Long Primary School (Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi ). (Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA)

In Vietnam, November 20th is not only a holiday for teachers, but also an occasion for the whole society to honor those who work in education.

The emotional meetings and heartfelt stories on this sacred holiday always bring us precious moments, reminding each individual and the whole society in general about the responsibility to join hands with teachers to pass on the flame of knowledge and morality to today's and future generations.

Gratitude to those who "pass on the torch"

The tradition of studiousness of the Vietnamese people has been built over thousands of years of history. During the feudal period, the Royal and Provincial examinations were not only an opportunity for scholars to demonstrate their talents, but also the most glorious path for each person to affirm their position in society.

That is why, in the traditional culture of the Vietnamese people, families always encourage their children to study hard, considering it a source of pride and honor, and the teaching profession is always placed in the top position: "First is the most precious, second is the teacher," "Without a teacher, you cannot succeed"...

Teachers are considered sacred symbols of learning, the “golden standard” of knowledge, morality and personality for students to follow to become virtuous and talented people, standing up to help the country. These values ​​are deeply ingrained in the minds of each person, becoming the tradition of “Respecting teachers and valuing education” in Vietnamese culture that has been passed down for centuries.

Teacher Ha Linh Huong, a teacher at Thinh Liet Primary School (Hoang Mai District), designed her own website with a learning resource library including more than 200 questions with many forms of exercises, contributing to attracting students to study enthusiastically. (Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA)

That fine tradition has been continued through generations, shining in every era, and is a lasting source that nurtures the spirit of studiousness and respect for education of our people. In the Ho Chi Minh era, our great leader expressed his great and profound aspiration and vision for education: "I have only one desire, the ultimate desire, which is to make sure that all our people have food to eat, clothes to wear, and education."

In the 1919 Annam People's Petition, one of the eight basic contents that he raised was: Freedom of study, establishment of technical and professional schools in all provinces for the natives. With that thought, he never stopped studying and training all his life. And he himself was also a great teacher of the Vietnamese Revolution, a world cultural celebrity on the path of national liberation and human liberation.

He affirmed: "Without teachers, there is no education. Without education, without cadres, there is no talk of economic and cultural development."

Inheriting and promoting the nation's tradition of "respecting teachers and valuing education", implementing President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, the Party and State always affirm that education and training is the top national policy, the future of the nation, always paying great attention to developing the education and training career with policies to promote all human potentials, including teachers and those working in education management.

In 1982, Vietnam Teachers' Day on November 20 was first celebrated to honor those working in education. This event not only recognizes the contributions of teachers but also reflects the respect of society for the teaching profession, and is an opportunity for students to express their gratitude to teachers who have guided them on the path to knowledge and personality development.

Teacher Hoang Thi Vuong (born in 1987), Head of the Natural Sciences Group, Dai Kim Secondary School (Hoang Mai District) with solutions to help students love Chemistry. (Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA)

Education and training is the future of the nation.

Throughout the revolutionary process, the Party and the State have always affirmed that education and training are the top national policy, the future of the nation. The Party and the State have always paid special attention and care, had many policies and investment guidelines for education; determined that investment in education is investment for development and prioritized, ahead of other fields. Therefore, the Vietnamese education sector has achieved many remarkable achievements, reflecting the continuous efforts of the entire education system and the Government.

Resolution of the 8th Central Conference, 11th term (Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW) on fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training, continues to affirm the viewpoint that "education and training is the top national policy." On that basis, the State allocates many resources to prioritize investment in developing the education career, in which special attention is paid to improving the quality of the teaching staff.

By the end of the 2023-2024 school year, the total number of preschool and general education teachers in our country is 1.25 million people (an increase of 17,253 teachers compared to the 2022-2023 school year) and nearly 99,500 managers. The rate of teachers and managers of educational institutions meeting the training standards according to the 2019 Education Law is 93.23%, a significant increase compared to only about 50% in 2013. These are proud results showing our State's efforts in the goal of improving the quality of teaching.

In addition, the treatment regime for teachers has also been improved. The average salary of teachers has increased significantly in recent years, contributing to generations of Vietnamese teachers overcoming difficulties, maintaining the flame of passion, constantly innovating, creating, competing to teach well; being a shining example of ethics, dedication, and passion for the profession. There are many teachers who have sacrificed their youth, staying with schools and classes, becoming second fathers and mothers to children in remote areas, areas with difficult socio-economic conditions, border areas, and islands. Thanks to that, our country's education has had many strong changes and maintained its achievements. Up to now, over 99% of people between the ages of 15 and 60 are literate, nearly 100% of 5-year-old children go to school.

Higher education has been transforming the occupational structure towards meeting the demand for high-quality, highly qualified human resources. Currently, 241 universities in Vietnam have experts and training organizations for most of the occupations listed in the world's occupational categories, including the newest occupations.

The number of training programs accredited and published internationally has increased sharply, a number of higher education institutions and training groups are highly ranked in the region and the world such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology; Hanoi National University; Ho Chi Minh City National University...

Vietnamese student teams participating in international Olympic competitions regularly achieve high rankings. The education and training sector is also a pioneer in digital transformation.

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) application lesson at Song Mai Kindergarten (Bac Giang city). (Photo: Danh Lam/VNA)

According to a report by the Ministry of Education and Training, about 80% of schools now use information technology in teaching and management, a significant increase compared to only about 30% in 2013. These achievements not only help improve the quality of education but also meet the country's socio-economic development needs in the context of global integration.

In the era of strong development of information technology, the role of education and teachers is more important than ever. Teachers are not only those who teach knowledge but also those who guide students to develop personality and skills necessary for life. It can be said that education today requires more flexibility and creativity than ever. Teachers need to update the latest knowledge and apply modern teaching methods to suit the needs of the younger generation. The use of technology in teaching is also becoming an inevitable requirement in the modern educational environment.

In his speech at the meeting with representatives of teachers and education managers on the occasion of Vietnam Teachers' Day (November 18, 2024), General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the world is in a period of epochal change, competition between major countries is increasingly fierce, in which competition in the quality of human resources determines the development opportunities of each country and is identified as the core. To complete the strategic goals of the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding, the 100th anniversary of the country's founding, bringing the country firmly into the era of rising up, the era of prosperity, standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers, high-quality human resources continue to be identified as a strategic breakthrough, and innovation in education and training is the task and strategic solution of the 14th Congress.

Therefore, the General Secretary believes that the highest goal that must be focused on at all costs is to complete the cause of education and training innovation, to complete the goal of creating human resources for building and defending the Fatherland in the era of national development. That glorious responsibility requires great efforts, strong breakthroughs, and the united efforts of the entire Party, people, and army, first and foremost the team of teachers and educational administrators. It is a great responsibility, but with a nation that has a tradition of loving learning and respecting talents; with a team of dedicated teachers who love their jobs, are ready to sacrifice, and are committed to their jobs, along with the decisive and synchronous participation of the entire political system and the entire society, the entire education sector will overcome all difficulties, overcome all challenges, and successfully implement the cause of education and training innovation./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/ngay-nha-giao-viet-nam-tri-an-nhung-nguoi-truyen-lua-post994249.vnp