A typical example of purchasing and using Party newspapers in school Party branches.

(Baonghean) - For many years, the subscription and use of Party newspapers and magazines in school Party branches have been inconsistent, with small quantities and often "cut off" during the summer break. To overcome this situation, some units have directed the purchase of newspapers for the whole year and have used them effectively.

The Party cell of Phan Boi Chau Specialized High School (a Party cell directly under the Vinh City Party Committee) has 40 members. Every day, the office allocates 6 issues of the Nghe An newspaper to the principal, 4 vice-principals, and the school library. The 5 leaders update the information daily, marking articles with issues of public interest and relevant information for teaching and learning, so that teachers and students can read them during breaks in the library. The school also aims to educate and train students to develop a habit of reading newspapers; organizing games such as "Who can write a better headline?", "Who can identify inappropriate sentences and words?"... during the weekly flag-raising ceremony and some breaks, which sparks curiosity and stimulates students' exploration and discovery, thereby attracting their attention to the Party newspaper...

Students at Xuan Tuong Secondary School (Thanh Chuong) read newspapers in the library.

In 2011, faced with the low rate of Party newspaper subscriptions among school Party branches in Con Cuong district (only 5-9 out of 47 schools in the district subscribed), the Education Department issued a directive requiring all schools to subscribe for the entire year, including during the summer break, and rigorously monitored and inspected the implementation. Simultaneously, they coordinated with the district post office to update the list of schools that had not yet received the newspaper in order to promptly address the issue. Following this decisive directive, 100% of school Party branches purchased and effectively used the Party newspaper. To this day, Con Cuong remains among the top schools in terms of Party newspaper subscriptions and usage; during the summer break, schools provide the post office with their addresses for receiving the newspaper for use in regular Party branch meetings.

Thanh Chuong District was previously a locality that did not do well in purchasing and using Party newspapers in school Party branches. After the leadership of the District Education Department was restructured, in order to strengthen leadership and guide public opinion, the department directed school units to comply with the purchase and use of official materials from Party newspapers; closely monitor the ordering and use of Party newspapers, especially during the summer break, and coordinate with the District Post Office to promptly identify units that are still lacking...

As a result, from the second quarter of 2013 to the present, in Thanh Chuong, all 122/122 school Party branches have regularly subscribed to and used the Party newspaper; typical examples of effective use include the Party branches of Thanh Tien Secondary School, Hanh Lam Secondary School, Ngoc Son Kindergarten, Thanh Tuong Secondary School, etc. Comrade Nguyen Huu Quang, Secretary of the Party branch of Xuan Truong Secondary School and Principal, shared: “In order to accumulate good experiences from other units, every day, the secretary updates information and identifies shortcomings and limitations of related units to develop proactive prevention plans; learn from exemplary cases published in the Party newspaper and gradually innovate, adding some important content to the Monday morning flag-raising ceremony: Assigning professional staff to update the sections on traffic safety, good deeds, doctors and health, and school health education”...

Tan Ky District was previously among the "alarming" areas regarding the rate of school Party branches purchasing and using Party newspapers. However, the Education Department promptly rectified the situation, and it has gradually stabilized since 2010. During summer breaks, schools also order and use the newspapers for Party branch activities. Tan Ky's approach is that after issuing directives, units are required to photocopy their newspaper subscription invoices and submit them to the department for verification. Units without invoices will be reprimanded and have points deducted from their performance evaluation.

Through guidance, inspection, and supervision, many school Party branches have seriously implemented the use of Party newspapers, such as Nghia Dong Secondary School, Nghia Dong 2 Primary School, Nguyen Trai Secondary School, Tan An Secondary School, Tan An Primary School, Town Primary School, Tan Phu Kindergarten, Giai Xuan Kindergarten, Tan Xuan Kindergarten... Mr. Nguyen Van Manh - Principal and Secretary of the Party Branch of Nghia Dong Secondary School said: “The school has a large library with a full range of books and newspapers for teachers and students to refer to. In addition to books and newspapers serving teaching and learning, two newspapers, Nghe An Newspaper and Education Times Newspaper, are given special attention.”

It can be said that the practice of reading Party newspapers stems from the concern of the commune Party Committee, which consistently provides funding for purchasing Party newspapers for the school. This has also led to excellent coordination between the School Board, the Party Branch Committee, and the Party Committee in carrying out political tasks, ideological work, and mass organization activities within the school and the locality. Every Monday, the school dedicates time during morning sessions for classes to read newspapers and catch up on current events in the province. This habit of reading books and newspapers has provided teachers and students with additional information and knowledge, supplementing teaching and learning, creating a healthy environment free from social vices, and contributing to building a "friendly school with active students"...

Reading the newspaper at the beginning of class at Anh Son Secondary School. Photo: PV

To fulfill the task of subscribing to and using the Party newspaper, each district, city, and town education department has a different approach, but generally, they all demonstrate determination and choose methods suitable to the local reality and unit; creating a habit and bringing about tangible results without resorting to superficial measures like in Tuong Duong, Ky Son, Quy Chau, and Que Phong districts... For example, in Dien Chau and Do Luong districts, at the principals' briefing meeting, they requested the district post office to sign directly with each school; Nghia Dan district issued a document requesting the district post office to subscribe to newspapers for all schools and sent out forms for schools to process payments... Accordingly, in the past three years, many units have successfully completed the task of subscribing to and using the Party newspaper, such as Tuong Duong, Ky Son, Tan Ky, Con Cuong, Thanh Chuong, Que Phong, and Quy Chau, and in the 2014-2015 school year, Dien Chau, Do Luong, and Nghia Dan units completed the task of subscribing to newspapers for the entire year.

Upon inspection, a paradoxical situation emerged: most district education departments in mountainous areas performed very well in this area, while those in lowland districts showed sluggishness and intermittent implementation. One quarter saw decisive action resulting in 100% achievement, but the following quarter experienced a decline. Some units performed well in their leadership, but after receiving commendations, reverted to their starting point the following quarter. In some cases, directives were issued and reminders were given in meetings, yet the principals still failed to implement them. When strongly criticized, they responded that it was because the commune Party committee had already ordered newspapers...

Every year, the Department of Education and Training issues directives to school Party branches to subscribe to Party newspapers; however, implementation of these directives from higher levels remains lax in some areas. To ensure the serious implementation of the purchase and use of Party newspapers in school Party branches, the Department of Education and Training and the Standing Committee of the District Party Committees should focus on commending and rewarding units that perform well; replicating best practices for other units to learn from; organizing year-round subscriptions to avoid the practice of cutting out newspapers and magazines during summer breaks; and reminding units that have not complied well...

Dam Phuong