New opportunities for the Education sector (Part 1): Resolution 71 shapes the picture of Vietnam's education

The Politburo has just issued Resolution 71-NQ/TW (Resolution 71) on breakthrough development in education and training. This is a resolution of historical significance, demonstrating the great political aspirations and determination of the Party and State towards the cause of education.

The breakthrough of Resolution 71 lies not only in each individual policy but also in the strategic vision, overall thinking and strong determination to act to open a new era of Vietnamese Education , an era of integration, innovation and international reach.

The World and Vietnam Newspaper respectfully introduces a series of articles entitled "New Opportunities for the Education Sector".

Lesson 1 - Resolution 71 shapes the picture of Vietnamese Education

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Thi Viet Nga said that Resolution 71 not only solves problems, but also opens up new opportunities for education. (Source: National Assembly)

Untangle the "knots"

It can be affirmed that Resolution 71 is a particularly important document, because this is the first time the Politburo has issued a separate, comprehensive and breakthrough resolution for education and training. This document not only provides strategic orientations, but also sets out a new system of values and vision to overcome the long-standing limitations of the education sector, while preparing the country for a new stage of development.

In the context of international integration and digital transformation, Resolution 71 emphasizes three prominent policy trends: First of all, it is necessary to affirming that education and training are the key driving force of national development. Previously, we still said that education is the top national policy, but in Resolution 71, this idea is raised to a breakthrough level: Education is placed in an organic relationship with science, technology, innovation and international integration. This is a step from awareness to action, from qualitative to quantitative, with the specific requirement of forming high-quality human resources, capable of competing in the global environment.

At the same time, education is oriented towards an open, flexible and integrated model. Vietnamese education will no longer be limited within the traditional framework, but will be connected to the global education network. This is demonstrated through promoting international cooperation, training linkage, credit and diploma recognition, encouraging on-site study abroad, and proactively receiving advanced knowledge, science and technology from the world. The trend of "internationalization of education" will help our students to be globally competitive, turning Vietnam into a destination of knowledge.

At the same time, digital transformation becomes a consistent axis. This is a new point, demonstrating strong adaptation to the times. Digital education, digital schools, open learning materials systems and big data platforms on education will be comprehensively deployed. This not only creates conditions for all people to access lifelong education, but also helps Vietnamese education make a breakthrough in productivity, quality and efficiency. The Resolution also affirms that digital transformation is not only a support tool, but also a method of organizing and managing education in the new era.

Thus, it can be seen that Resolution 71 has clearly shaped the picture of Vietnamese Education in the coming period: Modernity - integration - digitalization - humanism, closely linked to the requirements of national development in the context of globalization.

Over the years, the Vietnamese education sector has faced many “bottlenecks” that have hindered sustainable development. These include uneven quality, local teacher surpluses and shortages, pressure from exams, slow innovation in curriculum and textbooks, financial mechanisms that do not really encourage creativity, and inadequate remuneration policies for teachers. With the clear vision and directions of Resolution 71, I hope that the resolution will truly be the “key” to removing these bottlenecks.

"Resolution 71 has opened a completely new approach to the role of teachers and students in the educational process. Teachers do not just lecture, but must become leaders, inspirers, train skills, and accompany learners. Teachers will have to continuously self-study, update knowledge, apply technology to teaching, and more importantly, form creative thinking for students."

Firstly, removing institutional bottlenecks. Resolution 71 requires the development of a synchronous, consistent, and long-term legal and policy system for education. This will put an end to fragmented and unstable amendments and create a solid legal corridor for development.

Second , untie the knots of quality and equity. When resources are allocated more reasonably, investment policies pay more attention to preschool, general education and disadvantaged areas, I believe that the gap in learning conditions will be narrowed. Every child, whether in urban or rural areas, mountainous areas or islands, has the opportunity to access quality education.

Third, untie the knot of creative motivation. With the policy of creating a favorable environment for innovation, research, and creativity, I expect that university and vocational education will become a launching pad for science, technology, and innovative startups.

Fourth, untangle the policy bottleneck for teachers. This is a big point. When teachers are guaranteed income and regularly trained, they will devote themselves wholeheartedly.

Resolution 71 not only solves problems but also opens up new opportunities for education. It is an opportunity for Vietnam to have a generation of global citizens, masters of technology, and has the desire to contribute. As a National Assembly delegate, I hope that when implemented, this resolution will create real, sustainable changes, most importantly, directly benefiting the people, students and teachers.

Teacher Nguyen Thi Luu and students of Kim Giang Secondary School, Hanoi, were happy on the first day of school.

Setting trends in education

I think that Resolution 71 has established 5 major trends in education in the coming time:

Firstly , education is closely linked to the development of high-quality human resources. The Resolution clearly states the goal of training human resources with qualities, skills, creativity, and the ability to adapt to rapid changes in science, technology and the labor market.

Second , developing lifelong education. Not only stopping at education in schools, the resolution sets out the requirement to build a learning society, encourage continuous learning, learning at all ages, in which digital transformation is a key tool.

Third , fundamentally innovate teaching and learning methods. Shift from imparting knowledge to developing learners' capacity and qualities; from heavy testing to diverse and comprehensive assessment.

Fourth, invest heavily in higher education and vocational education. The Resolution considers this a pillar to enhance national competitiveness, linking education with research, science, technology, and innovation.

Fifth , strengthen the integration and internationalization of education. This will help Vietnamese education reach out to the world and at the same time absorb the quintessence of humanity.

"Education is not only the responsibility of the education sector, but also the responsibility and right of the entire political system and each citizen. When society goes hand in hand with education, we will have a solid foundation to build a country that develops quickly, sustainably, and humanely."

The impact of these orientations on science, technology and the country's economy is extremely profound. With high-quality human resources, Vietnam will have the conditions to make breakthroughs in key industries such as information technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, renewable energy, etc. This is the basis for transforming the growth model from breadth to depth, from resource exploitation to reliance on knowledge and innovation.

In addition, lifelong education will form a learning society, in which every worker has the ability to adapt, retrain, and improve skills so as not to fall behind in the digital age. This will not only improve labor productivity, but also ensure sustainable social security.

Resolution 71 has opened a completely new approach to the role of teachers and students in the educational process. If in the past, teachers were mainly “transmitting knowledge” and students were “receivers”, now this relationship has shifted to accompaniment and creation.

Teachers do not just lecture, but must become leaders, inspirers, coach skills, and accompany students. Teachers will have to continuously self-study, update knowledge, apply technology to teaching, and more importantly, form creative thinking for students.

Learners are no longer passive recipients, but must become the center of the educational process. They need to actively seek knowledge, practice soft skills, digital competence, and critical thinking. Students in the new era need to have the ability to learn throughout their lives, learn through experience, learn through practice, and learn in a multicultural environment.

Resolution 71 opens up a wide development space for students. (Photo: Phuong Quyen)

Society goes hand in hand with education

In order for teachers and students to adapt, I think there needs to be supportive policies. The government needs to ensure stable income, adequate remuneration policies, and at the same time build a system for professional training, digital skills, and modern pedagogical skills. In addition, it is necessary to reduce administrative pressure so that teachers have more time for teaching and creativity.

For students, there is a need for preferential scholarship and credit policies, especially for disadvantaged groups; a need to develop a synchronous digital infrastructure system so that all students have the opportunity to access digital learning materials; a need to diversify learning forms, encourage scientific research, start-ups and creativity among students. Only when teachers are guaranteed a living and learners are given the conditions to develop their abilities, will education truly become a driving force for national development.

I believe that Resolution 71 will bring about fundamental and positive changes. For teachers, the resolution will create a turning point. Teachers are not only seen as “people who do the teaching job” but also as “builders of the future generation”. I hope that in the coming time, the remuneration policy will help the teaching profession return to its noble position, and at the same time, teachers will have the conditions to improve their capacity and adapt to digital transformation.

For students, the resolution opens up a wide space for development. They will no longer be limited by rigid frameworks, but will be empowered to proactively learn, create, and integrate. I hope that the young generation of Vietnam will become increasingly confident, courageous, possessing global knowledge while still maintaining national identity.

For the whole society, Resolution 71 will spread a strong message that: Education is not only the work of the education sector, but also the responsibility and right of the entire political system and each citizen. When society accompanies education, we will have a solid foundation to build a country that develops quickly, sustainably and humanely.

As a National Assembly Delegate, I hope that this Resolution will be institutionalized with specific and feasible policies, and closely monitored during implementation. When the Resolution comes into effect, Vietnamese Education will have a breakthrough development, contributing decisively to the prosperity of the country.

On August 22, General Secretary To Lam signed and issued the Politburo Resolution on breakthroughs in education and training development - Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW, which includes the following specific goals:

Target by 2030

- Expand equitable access, improve the quality of preschool and general education to reach advanced levels in the Asian region. Build a network of basic schools to meet the learning needs of students of all subjects and regions; have at least 80% of general schools meet national standards.

Complete universal preschool education for children from 3 to 5 years old and compulsory education after junior high school; at least 85% of people of the right age complete high school or equivalent, with no province or city achieving less than 60%.

Achieved initial results in improving technological capacity, artificial intelligence and English proficiency at secondary level. The education index contributing to the human development index (HDI) reached over 0.8, in which the education inequality index decreased to below 10%.

- Building and training human resources, especially high-quality human resources, to meet the requirements of Vietnam becoming a developing country with modern industry and high average income. The network of higher education and vocational education facilities is arranged appropriately and invested in upgrading; striving for 100% of higher education facilities and at least 80% of vocational education facilities to meet national standards, 20% of facilities to be invested in modernly equivalent to developed countries in Asia.

The proportion of people of the age group studying at post-secondary levels reaches 50%. The proportion of workers with college or university degrees or higher reaches 24%. The proportion of people studying basic sciences, engineering and technology reaches at least 35%, including at least 6,000 postgraduate students and 20,000 people studying in talent programs. The human capital and research index contributing to the global innovation index (GII) is on par with upper-middle-income countries.

- Elevate higher education institutions to truly become national and regional centers of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The network of higher education institutions plays a pivotal role in the innovation ecosystem of regions and localities, providing high-quality human resources and talents to meet the requirements of key industries and fields; recruiting at least 2,000 excellent lecturers from abroad.

Increase the average of 12%/year for the number of international scientific publications, revenue from science, technology, innovation; 16%/year for the number of patent registrations, patent protection certificates. Strive for at least 8 higher education institutions to be in the top 200 universities in Asia, at least 1 higher education institution to be in the top 100 universities in the world in a number of fields according to prestigious international rankings.

Target by 2035

The education and training system continues to be modernized, with strong and steady progress in access, equity and quality. Complete universal secondary education and its equivalent; the education index contributing to the HDI index reaches over 0.85; the human capital and research index contributing to the GII index reaches above the average of upper-middle-income countries. Strive for at least 2 higher education institutions to be among the top 100 universities in the world in a number of fields according to prestigious international rankings.

Vision to 2045

Vietnam has a modern, equitable and high-quality national education system, ranked among the top 20 countries in the world. All people have the opportunity to learn throughout their lives, improve their qualifications and skills and develop their personal potential to the fullest. High-quality human resources, scientific and technological talents become the driving force and core competitive advantage of the country, contributing to making Vietnam a developed, high-income country. Strive for at least 5 higher education institutions to be among the top 100 universities in the world in a number of fields according to prestigious international rankings.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/van-hoi-moi-cua-nganh-giao-duc-bai-1-nghi-quyet-71-dinh-hinh-buc-tranh-giao-duc-viet-nam-326995.html