Vietnamese education makes its mark on the international arena

After the country's reunification, Vietnam's education entered a special period: recovering from the war, shouldering the responsibility of building new people and unifying a system for the whole country.

TEACHERS FROM 2 REGIONS - A SPECIAL BRIDGE

The highlight of Vietnamese education in the period 1975 - 1986 was the fusion of educational experiences from the two regions in the pedagogical environment of the South. After 1975, Southern education adopted the socialist model from the North, and still refined and retained positive elements. The teaching staff was formed from three groups: teachers from the North, teachers from the North, and young teachers who graduated from pedagogical schools. This combination, in the spirit of solidarity and responsibility, created a special strength, helping many schools overcome difficulties and maintain quality.

Le Ba Khanh Trinh received a special prize at the 1979 International Mathematical Olympiad.

PHOTO: NVCC

Conditions at that time were extremely poor: makeshift schools, scarce teaching equipment, low teacher salaries. Northern teachers, accustomed to the 10-year system, had to study on their own to teach the 12-year system, and many subjects did not have training materials. However, the spirit of self-study and professional pride helped them stand firm on the podium.

Many schools have taken advantage of combining the method of encouraging individual capacity of teachers in the South with the principle of "learning by doing" from the North. Thanks to that, students not only access modern scientific knowledge but also practice discipline, work spirit and revolutionary ideals. Typical schools such as Quoc Hoc Hue, Phan Chu Trinh (Da Nang), Le Hong Phong (HCMC) have become bright spots in difficult times.

It can be said that the fusion of North and South experiences helped the South avoid a post-war intellectual breakdown, but on the contrary, it became a driving force to consolidate the unity of education in the whole country. Those schools not only sowed the seeds of knowledge but also symbolized the spirit of national harmony, proving that education is always a bridge connecting people from different backgrounds, towards a common goal: building a developed, independent and humane Vietnam.

EDUCATIONAL REFORM 1979 - AN IMPORTANT TURNING POINT

On January 11, 1979, the Politburo and the Party Central Committee issued Resolution No. 14-NQ/TW on education reform. The third education reform, starting in 1979, was a major milestone of this period (before that, after the Geneva Agreement, the North carried out the second education reform in 1956, building a comprehensive socialist education system). The goal of this reform was to form a unified 12-year general education system nationwide. This was the first time in history that Vietnam had a unified education structure from North to South. During the period 1975 - 1986, the university admission mechanism also had a special mark. Schools organized their own exams, with exams including general and separate parts for students in grades 10 and 12. This was a flexible and effective solution, ensuring fairness for candidates nationwide.

It can be said that it was the fusion of North and South experiences that helped the South avoid an intellectual breakdown after the war, but on the contrary, became the driving force to strengthen the unity of education in the whole country.

In particular, the preferential policy for children of workers and farmers and policy families at that time expanded learning opportunities for poor students.

During this period, our country had to face many difficulties. Just after reunification, we had to enter into two wars to protect the southwestern and northern borders. The economy was in crisis, school facilities were poor, lacking books, desks and chairs. Although there were many teachers, their qualifications and methods were not uniform, and life was extremely difficult.

However, in the midst of difficulties, the education sector has steadfastly carried out reforms, maintained the flow of knowledge for the younger generation, and achieved important successes. The scale of education has been maintained and expanded, ensuring the right to education for millions of students. The movement to eradicate illiteracy and supplementary education has spread widely, contributing to improving the people's knowledge.

Dr. Le Ba Khanh Trinh and the Vietnamese student delegation attending the 2019 International Mathematical Olympiad in the UK

PHOTO: DOCUMENT

In addition, the system of specialized schools was established, training excellent students and making its mark on the international arena. From 1975 to 1986, Vietnam won 44 medals at the International Math Olympiad (including 5 gold medals) and 6 medals at the International Physics Olympiad. Names such as Le Ba Khanh Trinh (Hue National School, gold medal in 1979 with an absolute score of 40/40), Le Tu Quoc Thang (Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City, gold medal in 1982 with a score of 42/42), Dam Thanh Son (A0, Hanoi, gold medal in 1984, score of 42/42), have gone down in educational history with gold medals and absolute scores.

Education at this time not only trained human resources but also healed the wounds of war and nurtured the desire for knowledge. From that foundation, Vietnam confidently entered into innovation and international integration after 1986.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-duc-viet-nam-ghi-dau-an-tren-dau-truong-quoc-te-185250829233916597.htm