Education must change if it does not want to be left behind

Dr. Nguyen Khanh Trung said that, in the context of rapidly developing technology, education is forced to change.

The educational reform process still has many barriers

Vietnam, like many countries around the world, is innovating education. Educational innovation or reform is a necessary and natural need for every country. Because society is changing rapidly, especially with the continuous emergence of new technology, which has had a strong impact on many areas of life recently. Faced with this context, education must change if it does not want to be left behind.

Observing the current educational reform process, I realize that Vietnam is trying to follow the path that developed countries have taken in terms of content in the way education is practiced in schools.

For example, advocating a program with multiple textbook sets, making exams and scores lighter to reduce pressure on students, and increasing choice for lower subjects in schools such as choosing textbooks. recently (Circular 27/2023/TT-BGD-DT).

Many developed countries have similar educational practices with the goal of training people to be self-reliant and self-governing intellectually, emotionally, morally and physically so that young people can confidently enter life. , capable of taking care of themselves and serving society. That goal is drawn from many philosophical and educational thoughts over the centuries from JJ Rousseau, E Kant to M Montessori and many other prestigious educators, it is also completely consistent with natural nature. of people and society.

Therefore, I support this reform from the beginning, but I am also worried that this reform will not come to fruition, will fall into a state of confusion and many problems, and the education system will constantly change. continues but does not reach the desired destination. Perhaps our goals are not clear, the resistance from the thinking and actions of society in general and each subject in the education system in particular is too great. The idea of ​​​​valuing degrees still exists, deeply rooted in the minds of many people.

In any country, educational institutions never exist independently but are always "offspring", a part of the overall society, always organically attached, interactive, and influential. interact with other institutions. Therefore, if you want to thoroughly understand and successfully innovate education, you need to learn and change many things, from other institutions outside of education and vice versa. I was very impressed with the slogan posted on the cover Pedagogical Journal of France is "Change society to change schools, change schools to change society".

We learn and innovate education in the direction of developed countries. But the goal of general education in many developed countries is to train citizens fit to live, work, develop and protect their democracies. That goal is completely consistent and harmonious, expressed consistently and consistently from the constitution, education law to by-law documents and permeates each subject in the education system.

While our education system is different from these countries. The current education law stipulates that one of the tasks of general education is "forming the personality of socialist Vietnamese people and civic responsibility". The idea of ​​​​valuing degrees still exists, deeply rooted in the minds of many people...

It is necessary to prepare a new generation of teachers

Habitus is a big concept in Pierre Bourdieu's theory, including the collective habitus of an entire society and the habitus of each individual. Habits are habits and habits of thought and action that have been deeply rooted for a long time... The old way of thinking and practicing education in our country has existed for many years and has created stable standards, forming a collective consciousness in the entire society. Therefore, it is not easy to change this behavior without a persistent and long-term reform program, led by capable and insightful education reformers.

The current educational reform process still has many barriers. How can we change our habits with just instructions and short training sessions? Naturally and understandably, individuals will return to their old ways when policies and movements subside. This is another important obstacle to educational innovation that exists in each subject of the system.

For example, Finland conducted successful educational reforms. They put teachers at the center, the subjects of innovation. Before promulgating the educational innovation program, their schools and pedagogical faculties had innovated many years before. They have prepared a team of quality teachers, these teachers have initiated, called for, and encouraged the whole society to innovate education.

Looking back, we have not yet prepared a new generation of teachers, nor have we had and installed a "new operating system" in key subjects of the school. In fact, teachers also have to change because educational reform will not go smoothly, it will be difficult to succeed with old people who are afraid of change.

Education is the way to bring individuals into society, and the institution that creates human resources for society. Whether a country can develop or not, whether it develops quickly or slowly, depends on how that path is designed. Any country that possesses an education system that creates an environment that helps each individual best develop their available abilities will develop.

Children have the same rich learning and creative abilities, the rest depends on the education system of each country. Vietnam, more than many other countries, has a strong youth force. The remaining thing is that our education system must transform and innovate to create quality, appropriate "educational products". Respond and adapt to the times, and at the same time promote the capabilities of future young generations.

*The article represents the author's opinion.