Developing and implementing the 2018 General Education Program on a solid innovation foundation

GD&TĐ - The important results achieved in recent times are the foundation for continuing to effectively and in-depth implement the 2018 General Education Program in the next phase.

On October 17, the Ministry of Education and Training held a conference to review and evaluate the results of implementing the general education program and textbooks for the 2020-2025 period.

The conference was held in the form of direct online coordination with more than 40 connecting points nationwide. Minister Nguyen Kim Son chaired the conference. Also attending the conference were Permanent Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong, representatives of leaders of units under the Ministry of Education and Training, Departments of Education and Training; representatives of higher education institutions, experts, scientists, relevant units and organizations.

Fundamental changes in general education

Concluding the conference, Minister Nguyen Kim Son acknowledged the efforts and contributions of the system at all levels, from the central to local levels, experts, scientists , and teachers in compiling and appraising the 2018 General Education Program; compiling textbooks and implementing the Program in the past time. In particular, the extremely important role in implementing the Program is played by the Department of Education and Training.

In the 2024-2025 school year, the 2018 General Education Program has been implemented in all grades nationwide. The implementation in breadth and depth has achieved important goals.

Minister Nguyen Kim Son and Permanent Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong at the conference.

Looking back at the whole process, the Minister emphasized the huge challenges for the entire industry; especially the challenge of having too many new points, some of which are non-traditional and unprecedented. Along with that, implementing innovation in conditions and contexts where many conditions for implementing the old program have not yet been met. The differences and regional disparities are very high, but the goals do not have any distinction, which is also a challenge. Along with that, the teaching force is lacking in quantity and quality; facilities are still difficult; initial conditions for implementing the Program are limited; some years of implementation in conditions of Covid-19 outbreaks...

However, with the outstanding efforts of the entire industry and localities, the implementation of the 2018 General Education Program has achieved remarkable results. Most notably, the orientation, ideology, and approach to general education have changed; adjusting from an approach that equips knowledge to a focus on comprehensively developing learners' qualities and abilities.

Along with that, the concept and nature of textbooks have changed. Specifically, textbooks have changed from being a package of standard knowledge and teachers are the ones imparting that knowledge - to becoming learning materials and important tools for teachers to guide, orient, and support learners in their self-development. Teachers and learners are "liberated" from the constraints of textbooks and become more proactive and enthusiastic... These are very fundamental changes in general education.

Of course, the implementation process inevitably has some teachers confused, giving rise to doubts and confusion; the implementation of a program and many textbooks was initially confusing, but now it has become routine and is operating smoothly.

Representatives of the Department of Financial Planning, the Department of Teachers and education managers spoke at the conference.

Strengthening conditions for in-depth educational innovation

In the coming time, the Minister said, we must continue the work that has been and is being implemented; and implement new requirements, goals, and demands, especially from the orientation in Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW.

Specifically, the Ministry of Education and Training will review to continue developing the Program after a period of practical operation in a scientific, sequential, and methodical manner.

The Departments of Education and Training continue to advise local government leaders to pay more attention to strengthening the conditions for implementing the Program. In the near future, with the national target program on modernization and improving the quality of education and training, the education sector will have more conditions to consolidate schools and strengthen the conditions for implementing the General Education Program; but it is still necessary to strengthen resources from the central and local budgets and other resources.

Experts and delegates spoke and attended the conference.

Emphasizing that “the decisive factor for the quality of general education is still the quality of the teaching staff”, the Minister requested to continue to strengthen support and further improve the capacity of the staff to ensure the full implementation of the Program's requirements. Regarding the shortage of teachers, it is necessary to implement many synchronous solutions. Departments of Education and Training need to advise local leaders to recruit all available staff; at the same time, research and apply technological solutions and online teaching - considering this an important, long-term solution to reduce pressure and support overcoming the current shortage of teachers.

In the coming time, the Minister also emphasized strengthening STEM education, increasing the application of information technology and artificial intelligence in education. This needs to be done carefully, not slowly but with control and safety.

At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen policies and solutions to ensure equity in education. Reality shows that the more innovation is promoted, the more there is no appropriate support mechanism for disadvantaged groups, the greater the risk of inequality and equity in access to education. The Politburo's directive to build 248 ethnic boarding schools in border communes also aims at this goal.

Regarding the development of a unified set of textbooks, the Ministry of Education and Training is developing a project, reporting to the Politburo, the General Secretary and submitting it to the Prime Minister for approval for implementation.

At the conference, localities and education experts shared achievements, difficulties and lessons learned in implementing the 2018 General Education Program; at the same time, proposed and recommended solutions to continue effectively implementing the Program in the next phase.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/phat-trien-trien-khai-chuong-trinh-gd-pho-thong-2018-tren-nen-tang-doi-moi-vung-chac-post753001.html