Improving the quality of teaching staff: Professional development is the 'key' to sustainability

GD&TĐ - In addition to focusing on facilities, high schools also send teachers to participate in professional training by inviting colleagues from other schools or university lecturers to share teaching experiences and foster excellent students.

Diversified training methods

At the end of the 8th week of summer vacation, Phuc Dong Primary School (Phuc Loi, Hanoi ) organized a survey of all teachers on the need for training and professional development. Based on the suggestions, the school's Board of Directors will coordinate with the professional team to develop a training plan for teachers.

Ms. Phan Thi Xuan Thu - Principal of the school, said: “Based on those wishes, we invite experts or good, experienced colleagues from other schools to train. At the end of the training session, the school's Pedagogical Council organizes a competition for teachers to report on products and ideas about the training content. Thereby, we evaluate the effectiveness and level of acceptance of teachers during the training process; encourage teachers to research, be creative, and develop their expertise”.

In recent years, Lang Son Ethnic Minority High School (Dong Kinh, Lang Son) has included training and professional development for teachers in its annual work plan. Accordingly, professional groups develop key topics, and the school organizes online meetings with other schools to discuss and find effective directions and teaching methods.

Ms. Vuong Xuan Thuan - Principal of the school shared that in addition to participating in training courses organized by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Department of Education and Training, the school coordinated with other schools to invite key teachers and experts in fields that the school is limited in to the school to share experiences, train, and update new knowledge.

“With a team of teachers who prepare for excellent students, we invite experienced teachers from a number of schools where many students achieve high results every year to participate in teaching. After each training session, the school will hold a professional meeting to review experiences, discuss and deeply analyze the topics of preparing for excellent students to improve the quality of teachers,” Ms. Thuan emphasized.

With the characteristics of ethnic minority schools, students study and live at school, in addition to teaching knowledge, students must also be educated in soft skills. Therefore, Lang Son Ethnic Minority High School sent teachers to visit and experience ethnic minority schools in other provinces to learn about the experience of caring for and organizing activities for boarding students.

Teachers of Phuc Dong Primary School participate in training and professional exchange. Photo: NTCC

Constantly updating knowledge

During the summer vacation of 2025, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu - a teacher at Ngoi Sao Hoang Mai School (Hoang Mai, Hanoi), in addition to spending some time with her family, also went online to search for online training courses organized by lecturers at Hanoi National University of Education to participate in learning to improve and enhance professional skills; accumulate more creative learning activities to contribute to inspiring and shaping the personality of students.

Ms. Thu confided: “Knowledge needs to be updated every day, in addition to the knowledge learned, daily teaching experience… teachers must always learn, constantly renew knowledge to create excitement for students. If a lecture always follows the same path, it will make students bored and difficult to absorb.”

Ms. Vuong Xuan Thuan - Principal of Lang Son Ethnic Minority High School, also said: "We encourage teachers to proactively participate in online courses organized by education experts and universities during the summer to learn and share their own professional problems. In particular, universities that update new knowledge and technology will support teachers in applying technology to teaching."

According to Associate Professor Dr. Le Hieu Hoc from the Faculty of Science and Educational Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, in recent years, the unit has organized many training programs for teachers in localities, especially in difficult areas such as Yen Bai, Quang Binh, Lai Chau, Thanh Hoa, Dien Bien, etc.

“During the training process, we implemented courses to improve STEM and E-Learning lesson design skills, practice designing lessons integrating digital technology, in accordance with the 2018 General Education Program; training on the application of artificial intelligence and digital technology in teaching, testing and evaluation. Accordingly, teachers are instructed on how to apply AI tools, teaching support software, design digital learning materials, and online assessment tools to improve classroom management efficiency and develop student capacity,” said Associate Professor, Dr. Le Hieu Hoc.

In addition to technical training, experts from the Faculty of Science and Educational Technology also support teachers in innovating teaching thinking, developing lectures in the direction of promoting learners' abilities, enhancing experiences and practice for students.

“We identify that improving the capacity of the teaching staff is the key to improving the quality of sustainable education. Therefore, the activities of the Faculty are always linked to the practical needs of high schools, while updating the latest technology and pedagogical trends to ensure practicality and high efficiency,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hieu Hoc affirmed.

Through training activities, universities also have more channels to listen to general teaching practices; thereby adjusting training programs, research and even developing more suitable educational technology products.

“University lecturers not only provide a solid theoretical foundation, but also help high school teachers apply technology to lesson design, assessment, and personalized learning in a systematic and appropriate manner in accordance with the 2018 General Education Program. Universities can work with the Department of Education and Training and high schools to build a core team of teachers in the locality, which helps form a lifelong learning network and create sustainable development,” Associate Professor, Dr. Le Hieu Hoc shared.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/nang-cao-chat-luong-doi-ngu-nha-giao-boi-duong-chuyen-mon-la-chia-khoa-cho-ben-vung-post743470.html