A wake-up call is needed.

(Baonghean)- Why study? That's such an old question, isn't it?

- It's true, it's very old. But you must have a special reason for asking that?

Of course. Why bring up old issues if there were none? But it's not that it's unusual, it's just that I feel this issue has been discussed repeatedly, yet nothing has changed.

- It's probably just about studying to get a degree, to meet standard criteria, rather than to use it for work, right?

That's right! But how do you know?

- It's not difficult at all; I figured it out as soon as you posed the question!

- Yes, I know it's an old story, but I feel uncomfortable if I don't talk about it. Because it's so illogical!

That's life; many things just stay the same forever. How can we possibly worry about them all?

- I know that, but this isn't happening in the real world; it's happening right within our own ranks, so we can't remain indifferent!

- What exactly happened?

- Last week, I went on a business trip to investigate the implementation of Central Resolution 4 on Party building in conjunction with addressing pressing issues among the people. I went to a commune to ask why people kept going all the way to the provincial capital to file complaints.

- What did they say?

- The local leaders explained that it wasn't because they were indifferent, heartless, or uninterested in resolving the issues causing public discontent, but because resolving those disputes required knowledge and a certain understanding of the law. And they...

- They're right! If you don't understand the law and just act recklessly, the consequences might be far more serious!

- Of course. But after finishing work and chatting casually, I discovered that all the key leaders of the commune had law degrees. I was stunned; how could law graduates not resolve simple civil disputes according to legal procedures? How strange! That's what I thought, but I didn't ask directly because I didn't want to embarrass them.

- There's nothing strange about that. Many officials now go to school just to get a degree to meet the standards, not to gain knowledge to serve their work.

- I knew about that situation, but I was still shocked and then saddened. A very deep sadness. Therefore...

- So, is that why he wants to repeat that very simple, very old, very ordinary question as a way to awaken his comrades?

- That's right! We need to wake up and make corrections before it's too late. Because no absurdity can last forever. This issue has been warned about many times, but few have listened and corrected it. We have to appeal to people's consciences; perhaps that might help.

Phuc Vinh