A strong education cannot lack seriousness in teacher-student relationships.

On the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day, November 20, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son shared his profound thoughts on the status of teachers. He said:

In the current era of digital technology and Internet development, the teacher-student relationship must be valued even more because only respect and affection between teachers and students can keep education from becoming distorted, pragmatic, and insensitive.

Society needs to respect and uphold the spirit of “respecting teachers and valuing education”. Families must teach their children to respect teachers and appreciate learning. Schools must create an environment for teachers and students to truly bond. Teachers themselves must always practice to properly demonstrate the role of teachers in every lesson and every action.

A strong education cannot lack discipline and seriousness in the teacher-student relationship.

-In the context of students being able to learn from the Internet and especially the explosion of AI, do you think teachers still play a central role? If so, what should that role be?How does it change?

In the context of AI developing rapidly, the Ministry of Education and Training clearly recognizes that this is a great opportunity to create a breakthrough, but also a challenge that requires the industry to have a strong transformation, especially for the teaching staff. The position of teachers is not only not "shaken" but also becomes more important. AI cannot replace but sets new requirements for teachers: They must learn for life, must understand AI to teach in the AI ​​era. Teachers must change their main role from imparting knowledge to guiding, guiding, supporting, and developing students' learning and self-learning capacity.

To adapt and effectively utilize AI capabilities, teachers and education administrators must have appropriate AI capabilities and preserve core educational values ​​such as honesty, promoting creative thinking and self-learning ability of learners.

Currently, the Ministry of Education and Training is directing educational institutions to strengthen training, raise awareness, understanding and capacity to apply AI. It is necessary to develop an AI education program that can be applied from primary school students to equip learners with the necessary awareness, understanding and capacity to master AI, know the scope and limitations of AI and gradually apply it in a controlled and responsible manner in educational activities.

In addition, the draft Circular on digital competency framework for teachers, including AI competency, is being urgently completed, serving as a basis for training and competency assessment. When teachers are fully equipped with skills, recognized and become pioneers in innovation, the trust and position of teachers in society will be affirmed and firmly consolidated.

- What specific solutions does the Ministry of Education and Training have to affirm the position of the teaching profession as well as help teachers feel secure in their work?

One of the outstanding policies of the Law on Teachers is to affirm the position, protect the honor and prestige of the teaching profession. Accordingly, teachers are identified as the core force of the education sector, playing a decisive role in ensuring the quality of education; are guaranteed rights in professional activities commensurate with their position; have the right to be proactive in professional activities... The Law also stipulates what organizations and individuals are not allowed to do to teachers, and stipulates how to handle violations of the prestige, honor and dignity of teachers.

In addition to salary and allowances, teachers also enjoy support, attraction and promotion policies, including: Subsidies according to the nature of work and region; training and development support; periodic health care support and occupational health care; and being arranged public housing, collective housing or house rental support when working in particularly difficult areas.

At the same time, there will be policies to attract and promote highly qualified, talented, specially gifted, and highly skilled people; those working in particularly difficult areas; teachers in a number of important and essential fields... These policies and regimes will be specified in documents guiding the implementation of the Law on Teachers, expected to take effect simultaneously from January 1, 2026.

The above policies, together with regulations on professional standards, appointment of teacher titles, recruitment, employment, honoring and rewarding teachers, etc., will be comprehensive solutions to help teachers feel secure in their work, focus on professional activities, and create motivation to improve their capacity and continuously develop their careers.

- In the near future, what is the direction of the Ministry of Education and Training to build the image of teachers as "inspirational and guiding people", instead of just knowledge transmitters?

Teachers are considered the foundation and pillar of education. Therefore, innovation in teacher training is the key to successfully implementing innovation and breakthrough in education and training development. The Ministry of Education and Training has implemented a series of innovations related to teacher training.

Firstly, innovate the objectives and content of the training program. Teachers are trained in the direction of developing comprehensive professional capacity, becoming organizers and supporting students in learning. The program reduces academic content, increases practice, internships, lesson research and professional experience; at the same time, increase modules on active teaching methods, capacity assessment, life skills, life values, international integration, critical thinking, etc.

Second, innovate training methods and forms. The training model is flexible, open, and supports lifelong learning. The assessment of pedagogical students is based on practical capacity, the ability to design activities, organize teaching and handle pedagogical situations, instead of mainly relying on theoretical exams.

Third, improve technological and digital capacity. Pedagogical schools integrate digital transformation content into education, build technology labs and digital pedagogical practice centers so that students can practice skills during the learning process.

Fourth, close connection between teacher training colleges and high schools. Teacher training students are allowed to observe, assist in teaching, and teach experientially from an early age; good high school teachers participate in teaching and guiding internships at teacher training colleges, helping to connect theory with practice.

Fifth, innovate teacher training and evaluation after training. Regular, online training systems help teachers continuously update methods, technology and professional skills.

Sixth, promote internationalization of teacher training. Expand cooperation with prestigious organizations and universities; implement lecturer-student exchanges, joint training, credit recognition and access to international teacher professional standards.

- Along with training innovation, input selection is also very important. What policies does the Ministry have to attract good students to the teaching profession, Minister?

The Education sector identifies that developing a team of teachers is not only about training teachers but also about nurturing people who inspire, lead and create the future for the younger generation.

Attracting excellent students to the teaching profession is one of the top priorities and also a strategic task of the Education sector in the coming period. We are reviewing and adjusting comprehensive policies towards increasing the level of tuition and living expenses support and ensuring employment after graduation, so that teaching students can study with peace of mind and commit to the profession for a long time.

At the same time, the sector will expand scholarships for talented teachers, encourage students with high achievements in national and international exams to study teaching; raise admission standards, output standards, link training with the actual human resource needs of the locality and the requirements of renewing the general education program.

At the same time, we focus on building an attractive professional environment and a worthy social status for teachers. Priority mechanisms in recruitment, ranking, salary, promotion and professional development are being perfected so that the teaching profession can truly become a prestigious choice for talented, dedicated and ambitious people.

- What message does the Minister want to send to teachers nationwide on the occasion of November 20?

On the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day November 20, I would like to send to all generations of teachers, administrators and staff in the education sector across the country my best wishes, deep gratitude and wishes for health, happiness and success.

The 2025-2026 school year is the year of implementing a series of major policies and guidelines of the Party and State related to education and training. It is the year when the education sector enters a breakthrough period, comprehensive development, towards modernization and quality improvement in the spirit of Resolution 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo. In that context, I hope that each teacher will continue to maintain faith, love for the profession, constantly learn, create, and innovate teaching and management methods to meet the requirements of the new development era.

Thank you very much!