Empowering Youth with Essential Skills for Successful Futures

Rewritten Article:

A Fresh Vision for Vietnam's Youth: Creativity, Art, and Beyond

Illustration by Trịnh Lập

By Nguyễn Mỹ Hà

In a bid to mold the nation's future generations into well-rounded, creative individuals, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training, together with the Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, has introduced a fresh, expansive vision for education. This educational overhaul aims to bolster the country's students beyond the traditional trifecta of math, reading, and writing, focusing instead on instilling creativity, art, and a love for cultural heritage.

This new vision stems from a preliminary analysis of the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), a regional evaluation program that objectives an extensive assessment of primary education in Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The results, covering the 2024 academic year, were unveiled by the Ministry of Education and Training on May 12.

SEA-PLM provides priceless data to assist educators and policymakers in making evidence-based decisions to improve the quality of education nationwide. It also offers opportunities for Vietnam to collaborate further with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in enhancing the common education platform.

The SEA-PLM results underscore the importance of a comprehensive education that transcends the confines of core subjects. It highlights the need for a more immersive, stimulating learning environment that fosters creativity and enhances emotional intelligence (EQ) in students.

Recognizing this need, Tô Lâm proposed a bold strategy that integrates art, music, and physical activities into the heart of Vietnam's education system. A key part of this strategy involves inviting artists, musicians, and sports figures to collaborate with schools to offer diversified learning experiences for students[1].

Another aspect of this strategy is a flexible learning schedule. Under this plan, students would focus on core subjects in the morning and devote the afternoon to exploring creative pursuits such as arts, sports, and music. This approach aims to lessen the pressure of studying and enables young minds to flourish in areas beyond traditional academia[1].

Core to this vision is the power of role models. By learning directly from celebrated artists, athletes, and musicians, students will be inspired to embrace their artistic potential and explore their creative passions[1].

Furthermore, the broader Vietnamese educational vision maintains a strong focus on innovation and digital transformation. This progressive approach seeks to harmonize the country's rich cultural heritage with the demands of the modern world[3][4].

This ambitious, comprehensive educational vision has been met with enthusiasm by both students and parents. The idea of a well-rounded education that places equal emphasis on the intellect, arts, and sports, appears to resonate deeply with the aspirations of Vietnam's youth[2].

Reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement and gratitude for the proposed changes. Lương Thanh Hà, one parent, voiced her support: "What an approach, how wonderful. Until now, children learn some music and drawing at school, but they are still shy when practicing English."

Hà also emphasized the importance of physical education and arts training, opining that these elements promote a holistic education that prepares students for the challenges of modern life. She went on to suggest a two-session school day format that would enable students to learn core subjects in the morning and delve into creative pursuits in the afternoon[2].

However, some concerns have also been raised, particularly with regards to overcrowded classrooms. A concerned parent wrote, "This is great if it can be applied in reality, but we still have to face overcrowded classrooms of 50 to 60 students, and we need to address that issue first."

Despite this, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding Tô Lâm's educational vision. The potential for students to learn under the tutelage of their artistic idols, and the opportunity to pursue arts according to their abilities and passions, has generated widespread excitement among parents and educators alike[2].

In the words of Nghiêm Thị Minh, another parent, "Let's make it a reality so each child, when he or she graduates from high school, can play an instrument, or has been given basic skills to continue pursuing arts according to their ability and family's wishes."

VNS

Illustration by Trịnh Lập

References:

[1] VNS (Feedback from Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Tô Lâm; vision for incorporating arts and sports into Vietnamese education.)[2] Lương Thanh Hà, and other parents (Expressions of enthusiasm and concerns in response to Tô Lâm's proposals, posted on the National Television fanpage).[3] Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (Collaborative efforts to facilitate innovation and digital transformation in the Vietnamese education system.)[4] UNESCO (Promoting cultural heritage in the digital age.)

The new education policy in Vietnam, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and Training and General Secretary Tô Lâm, aims to incorporate music and arts into the traditional curriculum, fostering creativity and emotional intelligence in students.
Recognizing the importance of a comprehensive learning environment, the strategy suggests a flexible schedule that allows students to focus on core subjects in the morning and pursue creative pursuits such as arts, sports, and music in the afternoon.
In addition, the vision for education encompasses a strong focus on innovation and digital transformation, aiming to blend traditional cultural heritage with modern demands through the power of AI and digital tools.
To ensure a well-rounded education, the education-and-self-development plan invites renowned artists, musicians, and sports figures to collaborate with schools, offering diversified learning experiences for students and inspiring them to embrace their artistic potential.