Hoang Mai: 'Even if we lack resources and are poor, we must invest in education.'

(Baonghean) - Implementing the "mission of nurturing human resources" amidst numerous difficulties and challenges requires tremendous effort from Hoang Mai town through many decisive and effective solutions to bring the education system to a level commensurate with the tradition of being a land of learning and a dynamic key economic region of the province.

A reporter from Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Comrade Doan Hong Vu, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Town Party Committee, and Chairman of the People's Council of Hoang Mai town, regarding this issue.

PV:Comrade, despite being newly established and facing many socio-economic challenges, Hoang Mai town has been actively involved in the cause of education and training. Could you tell us what plans the town has implemented to mobilize all available resources and uphold the tradition of learning in our homeland?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:It can be said that Hoang Mai Town was established in an initial context facing many difficulties in all aspects, including difficulties in terms of infrastructure and human resources in the field of education and training. Among the 10 units of Hoang Mai Town today, some communes and wards were previously located in remote and disadvantaged areas of Quynh Luu District, thus limiting the investment of resources.

We determined that caring for education is an investment in the future, creating human resources that determine the development of the town. Therefore, immediately after the town came into operation, the Town Party Committee issued Project No. 03 - DA/ThU dated March 31, 2014, on the development of education and training for the period 2013 - 2015, with consideration up to 2020.

A lesson at Quynh Thien Secondary School (Hoang Mai Town).

On March 30, 2016, the Party Committee of Hoang Mai town assessed the results after two years of implementing the project. Accordingly, the very positive results achieved have given Hoang Mai a new position and potential to continue developing the education and training sector.

Overall, the project has transformed the thinking and awareness of Party committees, government agencies, education managers, and all segments of the population regarding education and training. Education management and the development of the teaching staff have become more systematic and effective. A plan for the education management staff has been developed; the rotation and appointment of management staff and the recruitment of teachers have been carried out promptly and democratically, creating trust and consensus among cadres, Party members, teachers, and all segments of the population.

Middle school students read books in the school library.

Infrastructure has received significant investment, with the addition of teaching and learning equipment to schools, resulting in the renovation of 134 classrooms and 4 boarding school canteens with a total cost of 126,721,000,000 VND; the establishment of Long Thanh Kindergarten as a private school, and Quynh Phuong 2 Kindergarten; the establishment of Hoang Mai 2 High School; the arrangement of several high-quality classes in junior high schools; and the promotion of learning and talent development has yielded positive results.

Long Thanh Kindergarten was built in a modern and spacious style thanks to the implementation of social mobilization efforts.

At the end of the 2015-2016 school year, the percentage of students with good and excellent academic performance was 47.43% (an increase of 1.33% compared to the 2013-2014 school year, with the percentage of students with excellent grades increasing by 2.66%). The town had 22 junior high school students recognized as excellent students at the provincial level, ranking 12th out of 21 in the province; 14 high school students recognized as excellent students at the provincial level, and 7 students achieved excellent student status at the national level in the IOE exam. There was 1 teacher recognized as an excellent teacher at the national level and 22 teachers recognized as excellent teachers at the provincial level across all educational levels...

However, the results achieved in practice have not yet met the expectations of the Party committee, the government, and the people.

PV:Besides the efforts and close guidance of the Party committee and the government, what weaknesses does Hoang Mai's education system still have that need to be overcome, Comrade?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:Evaluating the results after two years of implementing Project No. 03, in a frank manner, the Hoang Mai Town Party Committee pointed out the shortcomings and limitations of Hoang Mai's education that need to be overcome, namely: the goal of building national standard schools has not met the plan (only 53.66%/60.98% of the plan has been achieved); one commune (Quynh Vinh commune) has not yet achieved universal preschool education for 5-year-old children; many school buildings are dilapidated, and there are still 65 temporary or borrowed classrooms; some schools still lack teachers and staff; the dropout rate remains high; and the socialization of education in some units is not yet effective...

These limitations and weaknesses stem not only from objective reasons such as the numerous difficulties faced by the newly established town, but also from the fact that some wards, communes, and schools have not yet actively participated in implementing educational reforms; there is still a conservative mindset, a tendency to wait and rely on others; and a reluctance to face challenges.

In some educational institutions, the mindset and awareness of administrators and teachers have not been sufficiently transformed, failing to create effective results in emulation movements to overcome difficulties and strive for better teaching and learning...

Recess time for children at Long Thanh Private Kindergarten (Hoang Mai Town).

PV:Recently, during a meeting with the Standing Committee of the Town Party Committee on the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in the area, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh directed the town to focus on the cause of education and training. So, how has the Standing Committee of the Town Party Committee developed a plan and directed the implementation of this directive?

Comrade Doan Hong Vu:Following the conclusions of the Provincial Party Secretary, the Standing Committee of the Town Party Committee assigned the Town People's Committee and the Department of Education and Training to conduct a thorough review and assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, and shortcomings; to carefully analyze the objective and subjective causes in order to propose specific tasks, targets, and plans to strive for; and to develop focused, fundamental, and effective solutions.

Based on that, a work program will be proposed with the Department of Education and Training and relevant provincial departments to focus on resolving difficulties and obstacles. Specifically, the town will focus on directing efforts to improve the overall quality of education, including moral education, life skills, and values ​​education for students; and will concentrate on directing and promoting the quality assurance of education at all levels and grades.

Continue to effectively implement the socialization of education, mobilize resources to build infrastructure, prioritizing schools that are building national standard schools, and eliminating temporary and borrowed classrooms. Build a quality team of administrators and teachers, plan, train, and develop the teaching staff, attract excellent teachers, and arrange and rotate them appropriately to create motivation and improve the quality of education in the town.

PV:Thank you, comrade!

Huu Nghia(Perform)