Chairman Nguyen Thanh Nhan: Investing in Teachers Means Investing in Education Quality and the Province’s Future

(DTO) On the afternoon of October 1, the Standing Committee of the Dong Thap Provincial People’s Committee, led by Chairman Nguyen Thanh Nhan, held a working session with the Department of Education and Training on education and training management in the province during the first nine months of the year, as well as the sector’s programs and work plans for the remaining months of 2026. 

Also attending were Huynh Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and representatives of provincial departments and agencies. 

At the meeting, the Department of Education and Training reported that during the first nine months of 2026, the education sector focused on carrying out key tasks, particularly restructuring the network of educational institutions, consolidating the organizational structure, preparing for the 2026-2027 school year, implementing the 2018 General Education Program, improving education quality and promoting digital transformation. 

The restructuring of the educational institution network has basically been completed, reducing the number of institutions from 1,075 to 375. Teaching and learning have remained stable, with learners’ right to education uninterrupted. In the 2026-2027 school year, the province has 658,680 children, students and trainees across all levels of education. 

Along with stabilizing the network, the education sector has focused on ensuring teaching and learning conditions, while continuing to invest in and repair facilities and equipment. Educational institutions have promoted innovation in teaching methods and increased differentiated instruction, hands-on learning, experiential activities, scientific research, and STEM/STEAM education. 

Digital transformation has received greater attention, with the implementation of school management software, sector-wide databases, digital academic records, digital learning resources, electronic lessons and question banks. The sector aims for 100% of educational institutions to implement digital academic records, with official province-wide operation targeted for 2027. 

The development of nationally accredited schools is continuing according to a set roadmap. The province currently has 195 of 364 schools under review recognized as meeting national standards, accounting for 53.57%. The Department of Education and Training is developing specific annual plans, with the goal of completing the target by 2030. 

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman Nguyen Thanh Nhan asked the Department of Education and Training to build on its achievements, review and develop a province-wide digital education map, and fully update data on schools, classes, students, teaching staff, facilities, subject-specific classrooms and other areas to support education management and administration. 

The Chairman also requested that the education sector develop a roadmap to improve the quality of nationally accredited schools, while developing a project for teacher workforce development for the 2026-2030 period to ensure adequate numbers, high quality and a balanced structure, with teachers proactively allocated according to the needs of each subject, education level and locality. 

Emphasizing the role of teachers, Chairman Nguyen Thanh Nhan said that investing in teachers means investing in education quality and the province’s future, calling for greater attention to attracting and making effective use of excellent teachers and high-achieving students. He also asked the sector to study a project to make English a second language in schools. 

The Chairman also called for stronger digital transformation and the development of an interconnected and secure education data system, with technology and artificial intelligence gradually applied to education management, teaching and learning. Vocational education should also be renewed to better align training with the needs of businesses, the labor market and the province’s development priorities. 

The Department of Education and Training is tasked with translating these directions into projects and plans with clear roadmaps, resources and responsibilities, prioritizing urgent tasks for implementation in the 2026-2027 school year to lay the foundation for improving education quality and developing the province’s human resources. 

By H. THONG
Translated by ANH DUC