Popular education class in Hau My commune, Cai Be district, Tien Giang province in 1951 - Photo archive
The birth of the Popular Education Service, a great achievement, was made possible by the contributions of many people. They were the Minister of National Education Vu Dinh Hoe, the first director of the Popular Education Service Nguyen Cong My and his successor after Mr. My died in 1949, Mr. Vuong Kiem Toan...
A vibrant period of popular education, many interesting historical stories are told in the thematic exhibition "Popular education - lighting up the future" at the Vietnam National Museum of History on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2.
Credit to Mr. Vu Dinh Hoe and Mr. Nguyen Van To
Introducing the exhibition, the Vietnam National Museum of History called the "war to destroy ignorance" of the Provisional People 's Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (according to the decree) at that time a war to "destroy the enemy of ignorance".
Right in the early days of independence, with more than 90% of the population illiterate, the urgent task of the revolution was not only to defend the country but also to enlighten the people.
President Ho Chi Minh's speech "Urgent tasks of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam" on September 3, 1945 affirmed: "An ignorant nation is a weak nation. Therefore, I propose launching a campaign against illiteracy".
The popular education movement was born later as a special battle, without gunfire but full of meaning.
At the exhibition, visitors can see Decree No. 17-SL dated September 8, 1945 of the President of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on establishing universal education throughout Vietnam and appointing Mr. Nguyen Cong My as Director of the Universal Education Department.
Notably, the decree clearly states that the President of the Provisional Government issued this decree "at the request of the Minister of National Education". Below the decree, next to the signature of General Vo Nguyen Giap on behalf of the President of the Government, is the handwriting and signature of the Minister of National Education Vu Dinh Hoe.
And others, introduced in the exhibition, such as Mr. Nguyen Van To - President of the National Language Propagation Association, Mr. Nguyen Cong My, Mr. Vuong Kiem Toan, Mr. My's successor in 1949.
Other people's stories
At that time, Mr. Nguyen Van To was honored for his contribution in eradicating illiteracy. In 1949, the Department of Popular Education of Phu Tho province had his portrait drawn and engraved on wood, printed and distributed on the occasion of the victory over illiteracy on September 21, 1949.
Decree No. 17-SL dated September 8, 1945 of the President of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on establishing universal education throughout Vietnam - Photo archive
Mr. Nguyen Cong My, from the Vietnam National Museum of History, said that under his leadership, the movement spread throughout the country, contributing to eliminating illiteracy for millions of people. After only one year of implementation (1945-1946), the campaign to eradicate illiteracy attracted more than 2.5 million students with nearly 100,000 teachers participating.
On his way to work in 1949, French planes bombed him and he died. His career and spirit became a symbol of the will to eradicate illiteracy in the early days of nation building.
Following in Mr. My's footsteps, Mr. Vuong Kiem Toan was a worthy successor. According to Decree No. 10/SL dated March 8, 1949 signed by President Ho Chi Minh, introduced at the exhibition, Mr. Toan was officially appointed as the Director of the Popular Education Department to replace Mr. My.
Previously, Mr. Toan held the position of head of the education department, participating in compiling and organizing the printing of many books to serve the movement: National Rhyme, National Rhyme Teaching Methods, Reading books for elementary and middle school students.
During the time Mr. Toan led the Popular Education Department, on January 24, 1951, President Ho Chi Minh sent a letter of commendation, announcing that the Government had awarded the Resistance Medal to the Popular Education Department, which Uncle Ho wrote "is a very worthy reward".
In 1983, in recognition of his persistent contributions to the cause of education and eradication of illiteracy, UNESCO awarded Mr. Toan an honorary certificate.
The exhibition also features many images of the popular education class, interesting anti-illiteracy propaganda paintings and many valuable documents and artifacts. The exhibition will last until December 2025.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/binh-dan-hoc-vu-thap-sang-tuong-lai-ke-chuyen-mot-thoi-binh-dan-hoc-vu-soi-noi-20250825230829008.htm
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