Joy comes from education.

(PLVN) - Starting from the 2025-2026 school year, primary and secondary school students will receive free education for two sessions per day, as directed by General Secretary To Lam. This deeply humane policy is receiving high approval from teachers, parents, and experts, as it is a policy that encourages and motivates many people and demonstrates the profound concern of the Party and the State.

A pioneering and humane decision.

The Central Party Office has just issued a notice summarizing the conclusions of General Secretary To Lam at the working session on April 18th with the Government and various ministries and agencies regarding the implementation of Central Committee resolutions on education and training; the preparation of a Politburo resolution on breakthroughs in education and training; and some policies to support teaching and learning.

Accordingly, the General Secretary agreed on the policy that primary and secondary schools should teach two sessions per day, depending on the conditions of each locality regarding facilities, finances, and teachers. Units need to have a roadmap for implementing this policy step by step, combining primary state investment with encouragement of social participation. Teaching two sessions per day ensures no fees are charged and reduces pressure on students, while also enhancing cultural and artistic education and ensuring students' holistic development.

The announcement stated: “The Party Committee of the Government directs the Ministry of Education and Training, other ministries, sectors, and localities to fully prepare the necessary conditions regarding facilities, teachers, curriculum content, and educational activities so that primary and secondary schools can conduct classes for two sessions per day to improve the quality of education.” According to the same announcement, it was agreed that the State would provide lunch support for primary and secondary school students in border communes, prioritizing mountainous border communes (including both ethnic minority and Kinh students living in these areas).

Local authorities need to complete the construction of boarding and semi-boarding schools for border communes, creating favorable conditions for students' learning and living. “During the implementation process, supervision is necessary, and any reduction in students' meal allowances must be strictly prohibited. Initially, this will be implemented in land border communes, starting from the 2025-2026 school year (September 2025), and then used as a model to be replicated nationwide,” the announcement stated...

Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam, Chairman of the Education Council of Dinh Tien Hoang High School (Hanoi), commented: “We are moving towards a modern and equitable national education system. Teaching two sessions a day not only improves the quality of learning but also helps students access culture, art, and physical training. However, to achieve this, we need adequate school facilities, teachers, curricula, and coordination from many ministries and sectors; the education sector cannot do it alone.”

Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, believes that the General Secretary's directive on tuition fee exemption and lunch support for students is a pioneering, humane, and highly meaningful practical decision. This policy has encouraged and motivated many people, while also demonstrating the Party and State's deep concern for families, especially those facing significant difficulties. If implemented effectively in remote and disadvantaged areas, this policy will help increase school attendance rates and reduce dropout rates due to economic hardship.”

Parents and teachers in remote areas were deeply moved.

Ms. Coi (from Po To commune, Ia Pa district, Gia Lai province), a parent with two children in grades 8 and 6 in Po To commune, Ia Pa district, Gia Lai province, said that her family has three young children and relies solely on farming for their income, resulting in instability. If schools could offer two sessions a day with lunch, her children would be able to stay at school safely and receive adequate nutrition. “We people in the highlands are grateful for this policy because it is the best way to help our ethnic minority children have the opportunity to improve their lives…,” Ms. Coi expressed.

As a teacher who has dedicated many years to the cause of "nurturing future generations" in remote areas, currently working at Dinh Nup Primary and Secondary School (Po To commune, Ia Pa district, Gia Lai province), Mr. Vu Van Tung said that more than 90% of the students here are children of ethnic minorities, so maintaining class sizes is always a difficult problem for schools in this area. If tuition fees were waived and lunch was provided at school, the students would not only receive an education but also improve their health. He believes that the quality of education here would improve significantly.

Teacher Tung said emotionally, “We are very grateful for the attention of the General Secretary and leaders at all levels. These policies will certainly create many positive changes for education, especially in disadvantaged areas. This is also an opportunity for children in mountainous areas to not fall behind and to develop comprehensively... Not only me, but all teachers, parents, and people in remote areas are very happy to hear about the policy of waiving tuition fees and providing lunch support for students from the 2025-2026 school year...”.

Uyen Na

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/niem-vui-den-tu-giao-duc-post548068.html