Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son has highlighted the need to ensure consistency and firmness in educational reform, affirming this j𝄹ourneඣy is never easy.

Addressing a conference on January 4 to review the education and training work in 2023, Minister Son said the sector accomplished big goals, overcame many obstacles and gained important achievements in the context of challenges. The education sector received more trust, sharing, consensus, and understanding from leaders of the Party, the State, the National Assembly, the Government, NA deputies, and the people. According to the minister, 2024 is an important year for general education reform and innovation as a series of tasks have been carried out in accordance with conclusions of the National Assembly Standing Committee on monitoring innovation in the general education programmes and textbooks. With many challenges, difficulties, and tasks, the minister emphasised keynotes for the sector to implement the 2024 tasks, including "courage," "practicality," "quality," and "spreading.” He affirmed that innovation is never easy and is an inevitable path with no other choice. Minister Son said in 2023, the ministry reviewed and adjusted a series of policies in accordance with reality such as Decree 116, Decree 99, many circulars and instructions. There will be many changes in the transition period, and what not appropriate will be promptly changed, the minister said, stressing that this spirit needs to continue in 2024 and the following years. According to the minister, although there is much work to be done, quality must always be used as a measure for all work. In the process of innovation, many new elements, new spirits, and new values must be spread. In addition to these results, it is necessary to realise the goal of building happy schools and a happy education sector, he said. Minister Son also mentioned specific tasks that need to be concentrated in 2024, saying that the sector must well perform Resolution 29/NQ-TW on fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training. The sector needs to make proposals, paving the way for new development steps in the coming time on the occasion of the Politburo's Conclusion summarising 10 years of implementing Resolution 29-NQ/TW. Attention should be paid to resources for innovation, especially human factors, he said, adding that it is necessary to solve the shortage of teachers and better the quality of teachers. He underlined the task to continue innovation and improve the quality of general education and training in 2024, including ensuring the progress and quality of textbook innovation for grades 5, 9, and 12. Regarding this, the official requested universities, especially teacher training establishments, to pay heed to innovating training methods so that graduates can immediately master teaching and assessment methods in the general education programme. The ministry will submit a plan on higher education and pedagogical institution network for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050; a plan on specialised education institution network for people with disabilities; and a system of educational and integration support centres in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, to the Government. The ministry will also concentrate on promoting the building of a learning society and strengthening life-long learning; and developing legal documents, including the teacher law./.