Elderly people learn how to access Hue-S. Photo: Van Loc

It is impossible to digitize society with a community that is "technologically illiterate".

The fact that some people are unfamiliar with online public services, electronic payments, or even lack smart devices is not just a technical issue. It reflects a digital literacy gap that, if not proactively addressed, will gradually create new barriers between population groups: between the savvy and the left behind.

Recently, both the central and local governments have been paying special attention to promoting the "Digital Literacy Movement" as a strategic solution for the sustainable development of digital government, digital economy , and digital society. In Hue, digital infrastructure has been heavily invested in; the Hue-S platform alone has developed more than 50 functions and over 20 services, with 1.3 million user accounts.

According to updated data from the Smart City Monitoring and Management Center, by 2025, the entire city will have over 800,000 registered accounts on the Hue-S platform, reaching approximately 66.6% of the city's population (out of a total of about 1.224 million people). This is a remarkable rate, showing that efforts to spread the digital platform to the people have yielded initial results. However, compared to the goal of comprehensive digital transformation, where all citizens are connected, interact, and benefit from the digital ecosystem, this rate still represents a gap that needs to be narrowed.

Recently, the People's Committee of Hue City assigned the Department of Science and Technology to lead and organize the "Learning about Online Public Services on the Hue-S Platform" program specifically for students throughout the city. The goal is for 100% of students to acquire knowledge and skills in using online public services through short videos, integrated lectures, and interactive quizzes on the Hue-S platform.

Despite being launched less than a week ago, as of May 22nd, 21 universities and colleges in the area have registered to implement and provide student data. The Hue-S system has recorded nearly 17,500 participating students, reaching a participation rate of almost 36%. Some institutions achieved high rates of over 70%, such as the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, thereby initially forming a habit of accessing digital policies and proactively using public services in the school environment.

Le Thi Bao Quyen, a student from the Faculty of Journalism and Communication, University of Science, Hue University, shared: “After participating in the public service program, I felt very impressed and satisfied. The application helped me better understand how the government provides administrative services to citizens in a transparent, fast, and convenient way. The interface is clear and easy to use, making accessing administrative services much easier.”

From movement to sustainable policy

Hue is one of the localities implementing the "Digital Literacy Movement" with a systematic and practical approach. The city has categorized target groups to design digital skills learning sections on Hue-S, creating conditions for people to learn, interact, and provide feedback on policies.

In particular, the city's models of "Digital Family," "Digital Market," "Digital Volunteer Team," and "Digital Community Ambassador" are not only for propaganda purposes but also for practical application, dissemination, and long-term sustainability. The inclusion of digital skills in the criteria for evaluating e-citizens; the organization of the National Digital Skills Learning Day (October 10th annually); and the integration of digital skills content into training courses for officials, women's association members, farmers, students, etc., demonstrate the city's determination to make digital transformation an integral part of life.

In recent days, the city has also been guiding citizens to contribute their opinions on amending the 2013 Constitution through the VNeID application. Police forces and local task forces have gone to residential areas to assist with the process, helping citizens exercise their civic rights in a transparent, quick, and modern way. This is a prime example of digital transformation not only for administrative convenience but also for democratizing the policy-making process.

According to the plan, a city-wide launch ceremony for the "Digital Literacy Movement" is expected to be held soon, aiming to spread the spirit of competition, encourage and promote digital transformation to villages and hamlets, especially to disadvantaged groups and remote areas. However, to further the movement, a stable financial mechanism is needed for community classes; policies to support learning equipment for poor households; and widespread recognition of exemplary models to create momentum for wider adoption. Above all, learning digital skills should be considered part of a new social welfare policy, where no one is left behind in the digital transformation journey.

The "Digital Literacy Movement" is a humane and groundbreaking policy. It not only helps people access technology but also empowers them to drive change. In the context of Hue becoming a centrally-governed city, this is the way to create a truly inclusive, digitally democratic, and learning society. And if maintained correctly, it could become a model that can be replicated nationwide, just as the "digital literacy movement" of the past did.

Text and photos: Dang Nguyen

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/dua-binh-dan-hoc-vu-so-den-tung-nguoi-dan-154229.html