General Secretary To Lam requests universalization of general education 'as soon as possible'

General Secretary To Lam requested the education sector to universalize general education "as soon as possible" so that students no longer face pressure from taking transfer exams as in the past.

This morning, September 5, General Secretary To Lam attended and spoke at the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the education sector and open the 2025-2026 school year.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the education sector and the opening of the 2025-2026 school year.

PHOTO: GIA HAN

To successfully implement the cause of education and training innovation in the new period, General Secretary To Lam emphasized 9 major orientations:

First, strongly innovate thinking and action. Shift from "corrective" reform to creative thinking - leading national development through education; taking quality - equity - integration - efficiency as measures; tighten enforcement discipline.

Second, ensure equal access to education and improve the intellectual level of the people. No child is left behind. Prioritize remote, border, island and disadvantaged areas; increase investment in schools - school nutrition - teachers - digital infrastructure.

According to the General Secretary, we have recently exempted tuition fees for all students from kindergarten to high school; some localities have provided free lunch for children studying two sessions.

The Politburo has also concluded on the investment policy to build inter-level boarding schools in 248 land border communes. In the immediate future, the pilot investment will complete the construction or renovation of 100 schools in 2025, to be completed by the start of the next school year at the latest (before September 2026).

Third, reform general education in a comprehensive direction. Not only imparting knowledge, but also nurturing personality - training the body - nurturing the soul, arousing civic spirit, sense of discipline and social responsibility; forming a generation of people who are "both talented, kind and resilient".

In this goal, the General Secretary proposed: "Strive to universalize general education as soon as possible" and emphasized that this requirement is urgent.

"Now the State is taking care of the tuition fee. We have many favorable conditions, how can we reduce the pressure on students and teachers to pass the entrance exam to grade 12? If we popularize it, we will solve this problem," the General Secretary directed.

The General Secretary said: "The Ministry of Education and Training reported to me that the only current difficulties are schools and teachers. We can completely do those things. Students really want to continue going to school. If it is not universalized, 13-14 year old children entering life will still face many difficulties."

Therefore, the General Secretary requested that this is the goal we must strive to achieve.

Fourth, create breakthroughs in higher education and vocational education. Universities must become centers for knowledge and technology production, and be the nucleus of innovation and entrepreneurship; closely linking training, research and transfer with the country's development needs.

It is necessary to form large universities of regional and international stature, modern vocational training facilities, to train high-quality human resources, contributing to the country's breakthrough in science - technology, industrialization and digital transformation.

Fifth, promote international integration in education. Integrate to learn from the best, narrow the gap, and spread standards; encourage simultaneous training, program linkage, credit recognition, teacher-student exchange, and attract international scholars; thereby enhancing the status of Vietnamese education.

Teachers and students of Phan Huy Chu High School (Hanoi) happily enter the new school year

PHOTO: DINH HUY

Sixth, take care to build a team of teachers and educational administrators. Teachers are the soul of education, the decisive factor in the success or failure of innovation. Teachers not only impart knowledge, but also sow aspirations, foster personality, and light up beliefs in students. Therefore, teachers themselves must constantly study, be creative, and set exemplary examples.

The Law on Teachers passed by the National Assembly is the foundation to ensure the improvement of material life, rights and legitimate interests, while improving professional standards, ethics, responsibilities and social status of teachers.

Seventh, promote digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Turn technology into a catalyst for fundamental and comprehensive innovation: flexible teaching and learning, open learning materials, safe and humane digital platforms; improve digital capacity for teachers and students; ensure data security and safety.

Eighth, prioritize investment in education. Investing in education is investing in the future of the nation. Master planning, arranging the system (especially public universities) to form training - research - innovation centers on par with the region, reaching international standards; using public spending effectively, not spreading it out; strengthening public-private cooperation, strongly mobilizing social resources to join hands in the cause of cultivating people.

Ninth, building a learning society, lifelong learning. In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, knowledge changes every day, every hour; what is advanced today may be outdated tomorrow. Therefore, learning is not only a personal need, but must first be seen as a political responsibility, a permanent revolutionary action of every citizen.

At any age, field or profession, we must learn to not fall behind, learn to master knowledge and technology, learn to develop ourselves and contribute to building a strong and prosperous country.

Building a learning society and encouraging lifelong learning is the most solid foundation for a self-reliant nation. It is not only the baggage of each individual, but also the core value of the nation, ensuring that our nation advances with the times, affirming the Vietnamese spirit and intelligence in the international arena.

Students nurture great ambitions, teachers set an example and lead.

On this occasion, the General Secretary advised students: "The previous generation made the victory with blood and bones. Today, in peace, integration and aspirations to rise, the responsibility of your generation is to make a new victory with knowledge - courage - creativity. Therefore, you should set clear goals; practice self-discipline in self-study; nurture your passion for discovery; improve your capacity, master digital technology and artificial intelligence in a smart, safe and humane way; know how to love, share, and live responsibly for yourself, your family and the community."

Affirming that every step forward of pupils and students is the future of the country, the General Secretary stated: "Young students should practice well the five teachings of Uncle Ho; high school students need to cultivate their personality, civic awareness, enrich their knowledge and nurture their aspirations; students should nurture great ambitions, dare to think, dare to do, be at the forefront of science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green economy and international integration, study and practice to become useful workers for their families and society."

The Party leader assessed that over the past 80 years, the Vietnamese teaching staff has been silently but persistently making great sacrifices and contributions to the cause of "cultivating people". On behalf of the Party and State leaders, the General Secretary expressed his deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to generations of teachers.

In the new period, the General Secretary hopes that teachers will continue to set an example, innovate methods, lead students on the path of knowledge and personality; pioneer digital transformation, and guide students to use technology (especially artificial intelligence) in a creative, effective, safe and humane way.

At the same time, actively participate in policy contributions, working with the whole industry to improve quality and equity in education.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tong-bi-thu-to-lam-yeu-cau-pho-cap-giao-duc-pho-thong-cang-som-cang-tot-185250905120335005.htm