Learning what Uncle Ho taught in his last letter to the education sector
(Baonghean.vn) - Ho Chi Minh's ideology on developing the education career was formed very early and throughout his revolutionary life. Studying his articles and speeches on education and training during nearly six decades of his revolutionary activities, we see that his ideology focuses on the aspiration towards a civilized and progressive society that successive generations have the responsibility to inherit and develop to become more and more worthy.
Celebrating the 45th anniversary of implementing Ho Chi Minh's Testament, in the atmosphere of the education sector of the whole country in general and Nghe An province in particular welcoming the new school year 2014 - 2015, recalling the last letter to the education sector((October 15, 1968) published in Nhan Dan Newspaper No. 5299 dated October 16, 1968, let's look back at what Uncle Ho had for cadres, teachers, workers, employees, students, and thereby summarize meaningful lessons in teaching and learning today.
The education sector of Nghe An province is entering the new school year 2014 - 2015. This school year, the Ministry of Education and Training continues to effectively implement Directive 03-CT/TU dated May 14, 2011 of the Politburo to continue promoting the study and following of Ho Chi Minh's moral example and the campaigns and emulation movements of the sector. Therefore, what Uncle Ho wrote in "Letter to cadres, teachers, workers, employees, students on the occasion of the new school year" still has a very profound meaning for the education and training career of the province.
In the first part of “Letter to cadres, teachers, workers, employees, pupils and students on the occasion of the new school year”, Uncle Ho wrote “Sincere greetings to all of you”. Uncle Ho pointed out that in the context of the whole country still at war, our educational cause was still developing faster and stronger than ever. He emphasized that although the American invaders were madly and fiercely attacking the North, they not only failed miserably on the political and military fronts, “but we also defeated them on the fronts of education and cadre training”.
Uncle Ho's deep and sincere affection for teachers, workers, students and his compliments for the education sector not only aroused love for the profession, pride in the profession, and sense of responsibility of teachers, workers and students, but also aroused the learning spirit of students during the fierce years.
In the letter, Uncle Ho reminded teachers, workers, staff, and students of the following three points:
Firstly, teachers and students must always promote the spirit of love for the Fatherland and socialism, strengthen revolutionary sentiments towards workers and peasants, be absolutely loyal to the revolutionary cause, thoroughly trust in the leadership of the Party, be ready to accept any task assigned by the Party and the people, and always strive to be worthy of the heroic Southern compatriots.
Second, no matter how difficult it is, we must continue to compete in teaching well and learning well. On the basis of good political education and ideological leadership, we must strive to improve cultural and professional quality in order to practically solve the problems posed by our country's revolution and, in the near future, reach the pinnacles of science and technology.
Third, you, the aunts, uncles, and children must work together to organize and manage the material and spiritual life in schools better and better, and to strengthen health and safety assurance.
At the end of the letter, Uncle Ho emphasized the point of view: Education is the cause of the masses. It is necessary to fully promote socialist democracy, build good relationships, and closely unite teachers, teachers and students, students, cadres at all levels, schools and people to successfully complete that task. Education aims to train successors to the great revolutionary cause of our Party and people, so all sectors, all levels of the Party and local authorities must pay more attention to this cause, must take care of schools in all aspects, and bring our country's education to new steps of development.
Uncle Ho's educational viewpoints and teachings on building great solidarity in the education cause, clarifying the responsibilities of the Party and government in the cause of educational development, are guidelines that light the way for the education and training cause of our province.
He has gone far away, but the career he built and his loving teachings are still there. The career that he sacrificed his whole life to strive for is waiting for our generation. To be worthy of his concern, his earnest and great desire, we must remember and practice his teaching: "No matter how difficult it is, we must continue to compete to teach well and study well."(1).We must make more efforts to fulfill our responsibilities and carry out the glorious task set forth by the Party and Uncle Ho: "Promoting the building of a learning society."(2)contribute to "improving people's knowledge, developing human resources, nurturing talents; contribute to educating civic awareness, political qualities, and revolutionary ideals for generations of Vietnamese people; maintain socialist orientation"(3).
When the education sector is facing difficulties like today, more than ever, we must make efforts and join hands to carry out the movement of “Studying and following the moral example of Ho Chi Minh”. At the same time, we must carry out the emulation movement of Good Teaching - Good Learning, the movement of building friendly schools and active students.
Teachers must love their students, treat them as their own children, be passionate about their profession, and influence them with the appeal of personality and knowledge. As teachers, we must constantly practice our profession, be close to students, colleagues, and the community, and know how to love and care for our students. Each of us must take training seriously in all aspects so that "Each teacher is a shining example of morality, self-study, and creativity".
As a student, you must respect your teachers, be friendly with your friends, constantly cultivate your ethics and academic expertise, study proactively, positively and creatively, not learn by rote or memorize... Everyone understands that raising a child requires a lot of love from the heart and mind. Education is always considered the top national policy, pedagogy is always considered a noble profession, because its mission is to create perfect citizens and useful people for the family and society. Therefore, schools, educational administrators, especially the teaching staff and families must always have the right directions for students to contribute to training new people - future owners of the country who are both virtuous and talented.
Entering the 2014-2015 school year, the last year to implement the Resolution of the 17th Provincial Party Congress, the education sector needs to base on the targets and resolutions to build plans from the beginning of the new school year, especially in building national standard schools and planning the school network. Promoting the spirit of solidarity, sharing, responsible cooperation, and devoting all efforts to doing a good job in the province's education work.
45 years have passed since Uncle Ho sent his last letter to the education sector, but what he left for the education sector still holds its value. In the era of rapid industrial development, it requires truly talented, truly dynamic and creative people, so the responsibility of teachers is even heavier, more difficult but also extremely glorious. Therefore, both teachers and students must strive to study, theory must always be closely linked to practice combined with scientific thinking. Besides, we also need to fight against the evils that are negatively affecting the pure and healthy educational environment that many generations of teachers have been and are working hard to cultivate./.
Nguyen Manh Hung– Department of Political Theory - Nghe An University of Economics
