(Baonghean.vn) - Throughout his revolutionary activities and great life of struggle, President Ho Chi Minh always considered "people" to be the most precious asset, the decisive factor in the revolutionary cause. "For the benefit of ten years, plant trees; for the benefit of a hundred years, cultivate people" - President Ho Chi Minh borrowed this saying to highlight the importance of education. Through his letters to teachers and students, his teachings have deeply permeated generations of young people; they are a source of encouragement and a testament to his complete trust in the younger generation. These letters have become timeless truths.
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| In a letter to students in September 1945: “Today you are more fortunate than your fathers and grandfathers to receive an education from an independent country, an education that will train you to become useful citizens for Vietnam, an education that will fully develop your inherent abilities.” (Archival photo) |
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| “You are fortunate to have achieved this thanks to the sacrifices of countless of your compatriots. So what do you think? How should you repay the sacrifices of those who spared no effort and resources to win independence for our country?” (In the photo: President Ho Chi Minh visiting representatives of teachers from across North Vietnam in 1958. (Archival photo)) |
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| In a letter from President Ho Chi Minh to teachers, students, youth cadres, and children on October 31, 1955, he wrote: “During the past school year, since the complete liberation of the North, the teachers and cadres have made great efforts. The students have made considerable progress. The school is bustling and joyful. This is a commendable achievement. But this is only the beginning.” (In the photo: President Ho Chi Minh speaking with cadres, teachers, and students from mountainous areas in Hanoi, November 1955. (Archival photo)) |
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| “Our school is a school of the people's democratic regime, aiming to train good citizens and cadres, good future masters of the country. In every respect, our school must be far superior to the schools of the colonial and feudal regimes. To achieve this, teachers, students, and staff must strive even harder to make further progress.” (In the photo: Student representatives from Trung Vuong High School, Hanoi, paying their respects to President Ho Chi Minh on his birthday. (Archival photo)) |
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| “First and foremost, we must strive to eradicate the remaining enslaving influence of colonial education, such as: indifference towards society, detachment from the working life and struggles of the people; studying for degrees, and rote learning. We need to cultivate the ideology that teaching and learning should serve the Fatherland and the people. Schools must be closely linked to the realities of the nation and the lives of the people. Teachers and students, depending on their circumstances and abilities, should participate in social work that benefits the country and the people.” (Archival photo) |
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| The last letter Uncle Ho sent to the Education sector was on October 15, 1968. “Firstly, teachers and students must always uphold the spirit of patriotism and love for socialism, strengthen revolutionary feelings towards the 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 people of the South.” (In the photo: Teachers and students joyfully welcome President Ho Chi Minh on his visit. (Archival photo)) |
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| “Secondly, no matter how difficult the circumstances, we must continue to strive for excellence in teaching and learning. Based on sound political education and ideological leadership, we must strive to improve the quality of culture and professional skills in order to practically solve the problems posed by our country's revolution and, in the not-too-distant future, reach the pinnacles of science and technology.” (In the photo: President Ho Chi Minh visiting a kindergarten class on Hang Than Street, Truc Bach area, Hanoi, December 31, 1958. (Archival photo)) |
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| "Thirdly, teachers and students must work together to organize and manage the material and spiritual life in schools better and better, strengthening health and safety." "The task of teachers is very important and very glorious." (In the photo: A person speaking with students at the Central School of Performing Arts. (Archival photo)) |
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| “Education is the cause of the masses. It is necessary to fully promote socialist democracy, build truly good relationships, and foster close solidarity between teachers and teachers, between teachers and students, among students themselves, among cadres at all levels, and between schools and the people to successfully accomplish this task. Education aims to train successors to the great revolutionary cause of our Party and people; therefore, all sectors and levels of the Party and local government must pay even more attention to this cause, take care of schools in all aspects, and bring our country's education to new levels of development.” (In the photo: President Ho Chi Minh with students of the Tuyen Quang Highland Children's School (March 1961). (Archival photo)) |
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| From his first letter (September 1945) to his last (October 1968), President Ho Chi Minh's words have become an invaluable legacy, a sacred treasure of our nation and country in general, and of the education sector in particular. Each word has inspired love for the profession, pride in the profession, and a sense of responsibility among teachers and staff, and has also awakened the learning spirit of the young generation of Vietnam today and forevermore. (In the photo: President Ho Chi Minh conversing with students at the Children's School in the Viet Bac Autonomous Region, 1960 (Archival photo)). |
Hoa Le
(Compiled from the Complete Works of Ho Chi Minh, National Political Publishing House)
