Dong Nai Education: 40 years of innovation and breakthrough in the digital age

Nearly 40 years ago, when the country entered the renovation process, Dong Nai’s education sector also began a challenging journey of transformation. Schools with bamboo and earthen walls, simple thatched roofs, makeshift tables and chairs, and scarce books… were a familiar image in many rural, remote, and ethnic minority areas. However, in the midst of hardship, teachers and students still nurtured the desire to change their lives through letters, lighting up the spirit of persistent learning through each generation.

From the first bricks of simple, solid schools, Dong Nai laid the foundation for a comprehensive educational reform process. The reform at that time was not only about building more schools, but also about renewing thinking: Learning to be a human, to work and contribute to building the homeland and country to become more and more prosperous.

Improve the quality of education

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province Vo Tan Duc presents gifts to students of Phuoc Thien High School (Nhon Trach commune, Dong Nai province) on the opening day of the 2025-2026 school year. Photo: Hanh Dung

Over the past four decades, Dong Nai’s educational landscape has completely changed. From makeshift thatched roofs, the province now has more than 1,300 schools from kindergarten to high school. The rate of solidified classrooms has reached over 95%, basically eliminating temporary classrooms. Nearly 70% of schools meet national standards, including many schools meeting national standards level 2, creating better learning conditions for millions of students.

Along with the facilities, the quality of education in Dong Nai has also been constantly improved. Many schools have become bright spots with a high school graduation rate of 100% for many consecutive years. Many excellent students have achieved the title of valedictorian at the provincial level, valedictorian at university, won high prizes in national competitions for excellent students, Olympic competitions, STEM - Robotics, etc.

Students of Phuoc Thien High School (Nhon Trach Commune) at the opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year. Photo: Hanh Dung

Ms. Ngo Thi Minh Phuc, Principal of Phuoc Thien High School (Nhon Trach Commune) shared: “I have been working at the school since 1999, when it was just established for one year. Since then, the school's facilities have been improved, and the human resources have met the requirements of the new general education program. The school's educational quality has increased significantly. In particular, in the past 3 years, Phuoc Thien High School has had students achieving the title of valedictorian at the provincial level and valedictorian at university. The graduation rate has been above the average of the province for many years, reaching 100%.”

Students of Nguyen An Ninh Primary School (Tam Hiep Ward) learn English with foreign teachers. Photo: Hanh Dung

Established in 2012, by 2018, Nguyen An Ninh Primary School (Tam Hiep Ward) had achieved national standards level 1. By 2024, the school had achieved national standards level 2 and was accredited for quality level 3.

Ms. Hoang Thi Ngoc, Principal of the school, said: To achieve this result, the school's staff, teachers and employees have united and created the best conditions for teaching and learning. Up to now, the school is organizing 2 sessions/day for 100% of students. In particular, focusing on life skills education, organizing IT teaching, integrating Stems teaching so that students can learn and create science and technology. The school also cooperates with foreign language centers so that students can learn English with foreigners, organizing activities in the direction of playing while learning, learning while playing.

In addition, the school has a team of young teachers who are knowledgeable about technology and eager to learn, actively innovating teaching methods, attracting attention and promoting students' abilities. Thanks to that, the school's educational quality has been significantly improved over the years.

Promoting digital transformation

In the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution, Dong Nai has identified digital transformation as the “key” to improving the quality of education. Up to now, most schools have deployed information technology applications from management to teaching organization.

At Tan Xuan Secondary School (Binh Phuoc Ward), students will be checked in by face scanning or fingerprints when they arrive at school instead of manually checking in as before. After students check in, the system will record. In case students are absent with or without permission, the school management system will send a text message to the parents' phone number. This will help make student management between the school and the family more effective.

In terms of teaching methods, if in the past, lectures were limited to blackboards and chalk, now interactive smart boards, projectors, digital learning materials and online platforms have become powerful support tools for teachers. Teachers have changed from communicators to guides, opening up thinking, abilities, and qualities, helping students proactively explore knowledge.

Teachers and students of Tan Xuan Secondary School (Binh Phuoc Ward) during a practical class. Photo: Hanh Dung

Ms. Vu Thi Hien, Head of the Literature Group, Tan Xuan Secondary School, shared: Each teacher must proactively innovate teaching methods, apply information technology, and digital transformation in teaching to promote creativity and initiative of students. In addition, innovate testing and assessment methods, increase experiential activities, innovation, and career orientation for students.

In many other schools, students have access to digital learning resources, virtual classrooms, and problem-solving skills through online platforms. From there, a “smart school” model is gradually built - where students can study anytime, anywhere, learning data is digitized, and parents can easily monitor their children's learning process.

Ms. Trinh Thi Phuong Mai, Principal of Tan Xuan Secondary School, affirmed: “Digital transformation in education has helped reduce human resources, reduce administrative burden, and improve management efficiency. Synchronized software from finance to expertise has created a big step forward for the school.”

Opening the door of knowledge from socialization

Teachers and students of Lac Hong Bilingual Secondary School (Tran Bien Ward) in a class using artificial intelligence. Photo: Hanh Dung

Dong Nai is one of the leading localities in the country in socializing education. Thanks to mobilizing resources from the community, businesses, and parents, many modern and advanced non-public schools have been established, especially international and bilingual schools such as IPS, Asia, Lac Hong Bilingual... There, students can study in a modern environment, with open libraries, laboratories, standard sports areas, bilingual and international training programs, helping them access global knowledge right in their homeland.

Student Truong Quoc Khanh, class 12E, Lac Hong Bilingual Secondary School (Tran Bien ward), expressed: I am very satisfied with the curriculum. The school has many subjects related to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, closely following the current social reality. The school's facilities are also very spacious, with full playgrounds, a cafeteria with many delicious dishes...

“I plan to apply for the Automotive Engineering major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. The school has very specific subjects for that major such as Stems and AI Robotics. These engineering majors help me consolidate my knowledge and have a foundation so that I can easily integrate into university later on,” Quoc Khanh confided.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem Trang, Principal of Lac Hong Bilingual Secondary School, said: “The school has made AI - Robotics a compulsory subject. At the same time, we train teachers to apply artificial intelligence in teaching, helping students prepare for the digital age. Not stopping at what has been achieved, the school will continue to innovate, contributing to training global citizens.”

Principal of Nguyen An Ninh Primary School Hoang Thi Ngoc teaches patriotism to students. Photo: Hanh Dung

Not only in general education, preschool education - the foundation of life - has also undergone a strong transformation. The system of public and non-public preschools has increased rapidly, the rate of schools meeting national standards is increasing. Children are studying in a friendly environment, practicing life skills, motor skills, and preparing well for the next level of education.

Ms. Le Thi Thom, Principal of Thong Nhat Kindergarten (Tran Bien Ward), shared: The school has developed a teaching plan with a balance between playing and learning. This creates excitement for children in each lesson.

Vocational education and higher education are also focused on to meet the demand for high-quality human resources for a dynamic industrial province. The system of vocational schools, colleges and universities is expanded in scale, diversified in professions, and strengthened in connection with businesses to improve practicality.

Mr. Nguyen Khanh Cuong, Principal of Lilama 2 International Technology College (Long Phuoc Commune), said: Students studying at the school have the opportunity to work abroad and have high salaries, and very good promotion opportunities in the enterprise. The training program is built by the school in close coordination with enterprises. Therefore, after graduation, students can easily adapt to the work of the enterprise without having to retrain. They have access to the most modern equipment and machinery during the learning process.

Deputy Director of Dong Nai Department of Education and Training Pham Hong Thang emphasized: “Dong Nai education sector is determined to continue to effectively implement resolutions, especially the 2018 general education program, considering this a key political task. The goal is to build smart schools, happy schools, where students not only acquire knowledge but also comprehensively develop skills and personality. In addition, we will continue to promote digital transformation in education to further improve the quality of teaching and learning.”

Dong Nai aims to have 40% of its workforce with degrees and certificates by 2030; unemployment rate below 2%; 80% of public kindergartens and primary schools meeting national standards. This is an important preparation step for Dong Nai to become the center of education - training, science - technology of the Southeast region in the near future.

Hanh Dung - Thu Hong

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/giao-duc/202510/giao-duc-dong-nai-40-nam-doi-moi-va-but-pha-trong-ky-nguyen-so-d1202e9/