Improving the quality of teaching staff: Promoting the spirit of self-study

Not only does this model contribute to improving the quality of the team, it also creates a sharing network, helping teachers in disadvantaged areas learn from each other, flexibly adapt to new programs and spread the spirit of self-study and self-improvement.

From Zalo group to shared learning resource

In Quang Ngai , professional activities in school clusters are gradually becoming more organized, especially in areas that have just undergone administrative unit mergers. Ms. Dau Thi Lan - Principal of Quang Trung Primary School (Dak Cam, Quang Ngai) said that Dak Cam ward cluster currently has 8 schools with professional activities.

Because the merger coincided with the summer vacation, schools in the cluster could not meet in person. However, the Quang Ngai Department of Education and Training quickly provided guidance on activities through the Zalo group, and directed each cluster to develop a suitable activity plan, linked to practical needs.

According to Ms. Lan, regular training content is implemented in an open and flexible manner. On the Temis system, teachers can access the framework program and proactively choose content that suits their individual abilities and needs.

Last school year, instead of requiring teachers to write their own experience initiatives, the Education Department encouraged each teacher to create at least one quality E-learning lesson, contributing to the province's shared learning resources. This is not only a form of applying digital technology in teaching, but also a way for teachers to learn, share and spread pedagogical initiatives. "We identify professional activities as not only a place to exchange methods, but also a space to connect and support each other to progress. Cluster activities help teachers from schools become closer, more proactive and learn more," Ms. Lan emphasized.

In another direction, Mr. Vo Dang Chin - Principal of Tra Linh 1 Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (Tra Linh, Da Nang ) informed that starting from the 2025 - 2026 school year, the school will add a section in professional activities. Accordingly, each month, teachers will have at least one article on teaching methods, organizing educational activities, professional exchanges... to be sent to the learning materials warehouse on the school's website.

The articles can be written by the teachers themselves or collected, with personal comments and the level of application to the school's actual teaching. The board of directors and professional groups will evaluate based on the content of the article and the accompanying comments. "This is a way to promote the spirit of self-study so that teachers can innovate, create and adjust teaching methods to suit the actual conditions of students and schools," said Mr. Chin.

According to Mr. Pham Dinh Kha - Head of Secondary Education Department, Department of Education and Training of Da Nang, the city has about 6 - 8 professional clusters organized on the basis of existing clusters of Da Nang and the old Quang Nam. This model has been effective so it is still maintained. For each subject, the school clusters organize activities twice a school year according to the content that the department "gives the topic" to have preparation in organizing educational activities and accompanying comments.

As the theme of the professional cluster meeting at Thanh Khe High School (Thanh Khe, Da Nang), after the creative robot performance of the Thanh Khe High School STEM Club through the mini game called Entering the Independence Palace to liberate Saigon, the schools exchanged and shared experiences in building STEM activity processes.

Almost all high schools in Da Nang have established STEM clubs, and this model is gradually attracting many students who are passionate about exploring science and technology to participate. Teachers from member schools in the cluster discussed the organization and operation of STEM clubs in schools.

Some schools proactively connect with local universities and colleges to exploit resources from learning materials, practice rooms, experiments to guidance and support from lecturers. Experiences in choosing STEM topics, ways to guide students to come up with solutions to solve situations...

Teachers constantly improve and develop their expertise to improve teaching quality.

Learn to teach in happiness

In Gia Lai, the school cluster activity model has also shown clear effectiveness, especially in the context of implementing a two-level government. Ms. Vo Thi Minh Ngoc - Head of the Physics - Technology Engineering Group, Huynh Thuc Khang High School (Ia Grai, Gia Lai), shared: Schools are divided into clusters to organize professional, cultural and sports activities in rotation.

The cluster activities are also very diverse: Demonstration teaching, seminars to improve the quality of graduation exams, training excellent students, building question banks, STEM competitions, Robocon... As a core teacher, Ms. Ngoc regularly undertakes training on new programs for teachers in and outside the province.

Not only sharing in the cluster meetings, Ms. Ngoc also actively participates in online professional groups such as "Teachers with AI", "Active Teaching", "Homeroom Teachers"... Each group is a forum for sharing documents, methods, teaching techniques and inspiration among teachers across the country.

“I like to study. I join any good course. There are many quality online classes, and I can control my time, so it is suitable for teachers,” Ms. Ngoc shared. According to her, innovation is not only about improving lectures, but also about changing the way we communicate with students and parents.

“Empathetic and supportive” parent meetings, light-hearted and friendly class activities… are all part of the journey to reinvent oneself in the teaching profession. “Teachers learn to teach better, but also to feel happier. Cluster meetings, online sharing groups… all help connect us together, for a better school for students,” Ms. Ngoc expressed.

In early August, Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School (An Khe, Da Nang) organized a training session on some contents related to the 2018 General Education Program and the application of AI in teaching, classroom management, test development, etc. "The 2018 General Education Program has completed a cycle at the secondary school level. From a survey of teachers' wishes, we invited experts to train and discuss some contents to systematize related issues. In recent years, when training teachers,

module, teachers both receive theory and apply it to teaching practice. Therefore, in this training session, teachers will discuss what they have applied, the content that is still stuck to share and find solutions", Principal Hoang Thi Le Ha informed.

Meanwhile, Trung Vuong Secondary School (Hai Chau, Da Nang City) in addition to training on AI application for teachers, has also had some specialized training sessions on active teaching methods in early August. The course aims to supplement teachers with skills to adjust emotions, attitudes, and words in communication with parents and students; and to stimulate students' creativity and initiative in class.

“The school's viewpoint is to create positive energy for teachers to start the new school year with a proactive and creative mindset, with more motivation to innovate,” said Mr. Ho Quang Hung - Principal of the school.

Teachers of Nguyen Hue Secondary School (Hai Chau, Da Nang) are trained in applying AI in teaching and managing records. Photo: NTCC

Flexible online and in person

The Da Nang Department of Education and Training has developed a teacher training plan before the 2025-2026 school year. According to Mr. Pham Dinh Kha, important training contents, including discussions and exchanges, will be organized in person. "Whether the training is in person or online, the department's viewpoint is still to ensure effectiveness, go into depth, not one-way exchange and avoid formality," Mr. Kha emphasized.

In order to continue to improve the capacity of teachers and educational administrators and promote the effectiveness of professional activities, the Department of Education and Training of Gia Lai has directed the review and continued improvement of the scale of school clusters. The focus is on implementing practical solutions, closely linked to the realities of each locality and unit.

According to Mr. Pham Van Nam - Director of Gia Lai Department of Education and Training, the unit directed schools to continue organizing professional group and team activities and guide teachers to develop personal plans. In addition, proactively detect advantages and difficulties and promptly propose solutions to remove obstacles in the process of implementing the new general education program and new textbooks.

In particular, the Department focuses on directing professional activities according to school clusters to form a flexible and effective teacher training network that closely follows the actual needs of teachers and the requirements of schools. Accordingly, professional clusters are formed in accordance with the locality after the rearrangement of the two-level government and administrative units. Schools in the cluster should have a reasonable geographical distance for convenient coordination; each cluster has a cluster leader and assigns a specialist from the functional department in charge to support, guide, advise, and answer questions promptly.

The Department of Education and Training also requires improving the quality of professional activities of school clusters, avoiding formalities and chasing after achievements. The content of activities must be practical and close to the needs of teachers. In addition, the time, location, and plan of activities must be agreed upon and implemented flexibly by schools in the cluster.

The Director of the Department of Education and Training of Gia Lai province said that right after the summer break, the entire education sector of Gia Lai province focused on implementing regular training and summer political training according to the direction of the Ministry and locality, helping the teaching staff to be ready to enter the new school year.

Schools are required to proactively develop educational plans that are suitable for their staff, facilities, and existing equipment; organize flexible teaching and learning, comprehensively develop students' qualities, abilities, and life skills; continue to innovate teaching methods, apply information technology, and promote digital transformation in education. The implementation of the program must ensure scientific and pedagogical qualities, not cause academic pressure, and help students meet the standards required by the 2018 General Education Program.

At the same time, the Department directed schools to proactively review and adjust school education plans and professional groups/teams to organize 2 sessions/day of teaching, implementing Directive 17/CT-TTg dated June 6, 2025 of the Prime Minister and instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training, ensuring compliance with the specific conditions of each educational institution, contributing to the effective implementation of the general education program.

“Gia Lai is vigorously implementing Resolution 57-NQ/TW and Project 06 - a pilot model for the whole country. All civil servants and public employees in the province are trained in digital transformation knowledge (according to the model of "Digital Education for All") and applying AI to professional work. The education sector encourages teachers to proactively self-study and self-train with many flexible forms, suitable for practical conditions”. - Mr. Pham Van Nam - Director of the Department of Education and Training of Gia Lai

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/nang-cao-chat-luong-doi-ngu-nha-giao-thuc-day-tinh-than-tu-hoc-post743468.html