Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association: Harnessing Public Power to Build a Learning Society

(DTO) On the morning of August 11, the Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association organized its 1st Congress of Delegates for the 2026–2031 tenure.

Attending the Congress were Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, former Member of the Party Central Committee, former Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, and former Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee on Social Affairs; Mr. Le Manh Hung, Permanent Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Study Promotion Association; Ms. Truong Thi Hien, Vice President of the Vietnam Study Promotion Association; Mr. Pham Nguyen Hoang Vu, Deputy Head of the Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization of the Provincial Party Committee; alongside former provincial leaders throughout different periods, leaders of provincial departments, agencies, and mass organizations, and delegates representing association members from across the province.

The province currently has over 1.09 million study promotion members, accounting for 32.57% of the population and exceeding the set targets. Association chapters at all levels have established 6,646 sub-chapters and Study Promotion Boards, alongside over 20,000 self-managed neighborhood groups integrating study promotion work, with 100% of neighborhood quarters, hamlets, and schools establishing their own Study Promotion sub-chapters.

Learning models continue to expand, creating widespread momentum in the community. During the tenure, the province recorded over 924,000 "Learning Citizens"; the rate of "Learning Families" reached 93.35%, "Learning Clans" reached 87.77%, "Learning Communities" reached 99.44%, and "Learning Units" reached 98.99%. Notably, 102 out of 102 communes and wards met commune-level "Learning Community" standards.

Along with building learning models, caring for and supporting students in difficult circumstances remained a core priority for Association chapters at all levels. Over the past five years, chapters mobilized the raising of 425,000 "Study Promotion Piggy Banks," generating over VND 156 billion. This contributed to fostering a spirit of thrift, mutual support, and sharing among students, families, and communities.

Particularly, programs such as "Bright Examples of Studiousness" and "Supporting Students on Their Journey to School" assisted hundreds of students facing special hardships to remain in school. Association chapters also mobilized and awarded scholarships and gifts to over 903,000 students in hardship, totaling over VND 517 billion, while connecting organizations and individuals to provide regular sponsorship for students in severe hardship.

Leveraging these landmarks, for the 2026–2031 tenure, the Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association pledged to continue driving the movement for "Regular Learning, Lifelong Learning - Building a Learning Society - Digital Society"; construct a strong Association structure; enhance the quality of "Learning Citizen," "Learning Family," "Learning Clan," "Learning Community," and "Learning Unit" models; and step up technology application and digital transformation in Association operations.

Speaking at the Congress, Permanent Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Study Promotion Association Le Manh Hung acknowledged and praised the accomplishments of the Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association during the past term. He urged Association chapters at all levels to innovate their mindsets and operational methods, step up science-technology application, innovation, and digital transformation, and focus on developing "digital study promotion" and "green study promotion," while grounding operations at the grassroots level to support citizens in learning.

Addressing the assembly, Mr. Vo Chi Huu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Thap Province, stated: "Building a learning society is not solely the goal of the education sector or the Study Promotion Association, but the responsibility of the entire political system and society. The movement for study and talent promotion must continue to spread deeply, becoming a cultural hallmark that contributes to building knowledgeable and skilled citizens meeting the province's development demands in the new phase."

The Congress announced and delivered the Decision permitting the merger of the Tien Giang Provincial Study Promotion Association and the Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association into the Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association. Following the merger, the Executive Board of the Provincial Association was consolidated to comprise 55 members, with a Standing Committee of 15 members.

The Congress reached consensus to elect the Executive Board of the Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association (1st tenure, 2026–2031) comprising 55 members, a Standing Committee of 15 members, and an Inspection Committee of 3 members. Ms. Dong Thi Bach Tuyet assumes the post of President of the Dong Thap Provincial Study Promotion Association for the 1st tenure (2026–2031).

On this occasion, the Congress presented Certificates of Merit from the Vietnam Study Promotion Association and the Provincial People's Committee to outstanding collectives and individuals in study and talent promotion, while expressing gratitude to Executive Board members not continuing into the new term.

In the spirit of solidarity, responsibility, and innovation, the Congress unanimously agreed on targets and tasks for the 2026–2031 tenure to promote studious traditions, mobilize social resources for study and talent promotion, elevate public knowledge, train human resources, nurture talents, and build an increasingly civilized, compassionate, dynamic, and creative Dong Thap.

By SONG AN
Translated by X.QUANG