Vietnam Teachers' Day (November 20): Educational innovation starts with teachers

A strong education cannot rely on teachers who only know how to lecture but also know how to listen to students, guide and inspire; know how to respect differences; know how to use technology intelligently...

To have a strong education system, we must have a strong team of teachers. (Photo: Nguyet Anh)

In the development journey of each country, education is always the pillar that creates endogenous strength, the foundation for forming generations of citizens with knowledge, courage and aspiration.

The teacher's silent, persistent efforts

Over the past 80 years, Vietnam's revolutionary education has gone through countless difficulties but also achieved proud achievements. In every step of change, the image of the teacher has always been at the center. Because educational innovation, after all, does not start with documents, resolutions or facilities, but starts with people, first and foremost the teacher.

Looking back at the long journey of Vietnamese education up to now, we can clearly see the persistent, silent but extremely strong efforts of generations of teachers. From poor thatched roof schools to today's smart classrooms, teachers are always one step ahead, adapting, learning, and innovating themselves to meet the development requirements of society.

Nowadays, when human knowledge increases exponentially, when technology is constantly changing, the teaching profession is no longer a profession of old lectures or fixed models. Teachers are forced to become "lifelong learners", must innovate methods, update knowledge, master technology, and at the same time preserve and promote the core values ​​of the teaching profession: Personality, love and responsibility.

These movements are not easy. Because innovation is not just about doing things differently, but also about changing thinking, habits, and even trading off job security. But that is what has created a real transformation in education. Each teacher innovates a little, each class changes a little, then the whole system will change a lot. Innovation from teachers through personal efforts that no one forces but everyone voluntarily is the fulcrum of all educational reforms.

“New land” for educational development

The birth of the Law on Teachers is not only a recognition and honor but also a strong commitment of the State to protect and develop the team of teachers. The Law on Teachers comprehensively regulates the rights, obligations, policies, career development roadmap, training and fostering, conditions to ensure professional activities... All are designed to "enlighten" teachers, to create the best conditions to promote their capacity, intelligence and enthusiasm.

For many years, teachers have faced countless pressures, from curriculum, innovation to social expectations, administrative work... The Law on Teachers provides a legal mechanism to help reduce unnecessary burdens, returning teachers to their rightful place at the center of the educational process.

When teachers are protected and supported, when they are recognized, listened to, and given the conditions to study, research, and create, they will be stronger to "light up" their students - the future owners of the country.

The year 2025 is a special milestone for the education sector. The Politburo issued Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development, affirming for the first time that “education and training is the top national policy, deciding the future of the nation”, demonstrating an unprecedented vision, guiding viewpoint, trust and positioning for education and training.

Along with that, Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on the development of science , technology, innovation and national digital transformation creates a "new land" for education to develop. Because education - science - technology are three pillars of mutual operation and development of a modern nation.

These two resolutions create a complete policy ecosystem: Putting education in a key position; creating a driving force for innovation; opening up unprecedented development opportunities. In particular, requiring each teacher to change in accordance with the expectations of the Party and the people.

Great opportunities always come with great challenges. Education is in the midst of a wave of strong transformation: Digital transformation, curriculum innovation, changes in assessment methods, requiring new competencies and new thinking. In this context, teachers shoulder the responsibility of not only teaching knowledge, but also inspiring, opening up capacity and nurturing personality.

Teacher Than Phuong Quyen and students of Kim Giang Primary School (Khuong Dinh, Hanoi). (Photo: Nguyet Anh)

A strong education system cannot rely on teachers who only know how to lecture, but also know how to listen to students, guide and inspire; know how to respect differences; know how to use technology intelligently. Most importantly, keep the flame of professionalism alive.

Education reform cannot be achieved by policies, resolutions or financial investment alone. It will only be successful when each teacher, with their intelligence, love for the profession and personality, creates change in each lesson, each pedagogical behavior, and each care for students.

A new lesson can inspire a class. A change in assessment can unlock a student’s potential, but a timely word of encouragement can change a child’s life. Therefore, educational innovation does not start with big things but with small, persistent, and humane changes from teachers.

There can be no strong Vietnam without a strong education system.

In a recent sharing, former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh said that in the new development stage of the country, the demand for high-quality human resources is increasingly urgent, making the task of the education sector heavier than ever. She was interested in and discussed with Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son many key contents, such as how to help the young generation develop comprehensively in terms of physical, moral and personality; the key role of higher education in training high-quality human resources; the development of the teaching staff; as well as the need for the State to have policies to create job opportunities to encourage overseas students to return home to contribute.

In particular, Ms. Nguyen Thi Binh noted that the Education sector is receiving deep attention from the Party and the State, clearly shown in Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, identifying "education and training as the top national policy, deciding the future of the nation". Sharing the responsibility and hardships of the sector, the former Vice President expressed her hope that the entire sector will continue to make efforts and promote more effectively to be worthy of the trust and great attention of the Party and the State; at the same time, she sent her best wishes for the Education sector to develop strongly, meeting the increasingly high demands of the country.

In the era of global competition, the strength of each country is not only measured by GDP, military potential or natural resources. That strength is measured by the quality of human resources - people with thinking, capacity, aspiration and courage. To have strong human resources, there must be a strong education system. To have a strong education system, there must be a strong team of teachers. And to have a strong team, it must start with innovation from each teacher.

A strong Vietnam cannot be built by generations of students who learn by heart, lack creativity, critical thinking, and aspiration. A strong Vietnam must be built by inspired people, whose potential is unleashed, and who are taught by dedicated, intelligent, and responsible teachers.

Looking ahead, Vietnamese education is facing a historic opportunity. But that opportunity will only become a reality with the cooperation of the whole society and especially with strong and persistent innovation from the teaching staff. The Law on Teachers was born, strategic resolutions were issued, policies and mechanisms are changing, but the most important thing is still the change in each teacher.

Education reform does not start with grand plans. It starts with the loving look in the teacher’s eyes when entering the classroom, with the preparation of a more lively lesson, with small sharing with students who are still facing many difficulties, with the belief that education can change a person’s life.

And it is from these simple changes that the future of a strong Vietnam will be shaped.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ngay-nha-giao-viet-nam-2011-doi-moi-giao-duc-bat-dau-tu-nguoi-thay-334962.html