Happiness from specific things
On August 6, in an exchange with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Phan Duy Nghia - Deputy Head of the Department of General Education, Ha Tinh Department of Education and Training (GDĐT) - said that building a happy school is being implemented by the Ha Tinh Education sector with the goal of creating a safe, friendly, respectful educational environment and putting student development at the center.
Since 2022, the Ha Tinh Department of Education and Training has issued a plan and set of criteria for building happy schools for educational institutions to organize and implement in accordance with actual conditions.
According to Mr. Nghia, after a period of implementation, the model has created many positive changes. It is easy to see that the awareness of managers and teachers about building a school environment has changed. A happy school is not only understood as a spacious school, green, clean, and beautiful landscape, but more importantly, the relationship between teachers, students and parents.
Many schools pay more attention to listening to students, increasing interaction between teachers and students, limiting critical and imposing education methods. Educational activities are also organized in the direction of helping students both learn knowledge and form skills, develop physically, mentally and integrate.
In some schools, friendly libraries, reading spaces, playgrounds, sports, arts, STEM, life skills experiences and education are organized more regularly. These activities create more space for students to interact, show their abilities, and reduce pressure after school hours.
At Dai Nai Secondary School, Thanh Sen ward, club activities, sports, folk games and forms of increased interaction in the classroom are maintained to help students become more attached to the school and class.
Some other schools build open learning spaces, friendly libraries, increase experiential activities, encourage students to read books, participate in collective activities and actively express opinions.
Through the first evaluation of the Happy School Project for 30 pilot schools nationwide, Ha Tinh has 2 schools, Xuan Pho Primary School and Tien Dien Primary School, achieving 4 stars - the highest level, accounting for 2/6 schools reaching this level nationwide. The remaining four schools in Ha Tinh all achieved 3 stars, the second highest level.
Care for both teachers and students
One of the contents that the Ha Tinh Education sector focuses on is ensuring physical and mental safety for students.
Schools strengthen legal education, skills to prevent school violence and injuries; and pay more attention to the psychological developments of students.
The role of homeroom teachers, psychological counseling groups, families and organizations in schools is promoted to promptly detect cases of difficulties, abnormal signs or needing support.
Along with that, coordination between schools and parents is increasingly valued. Instead of just discussing academic results, many schools proactively provide information about students' psychology, integration ability, friendships and changes so that families can accompany them.
Ha Tinh also increases cultural and sports playgrounds for students. In 2026, the provincial-level High School Athletics and Sports Festival attracted nearly 4,000 athletes to participate. Such activities not only help students practice physical fitness but also create opportunities for exchange, forming team spirit and life skills.
According to the Deputy Head of the Department of General Education, Ha Tinh Department of Education and Training, building a happy school cannot only focus on students but must also pay attention to the teaching staff.
Therefore, besides professional work, the sector and educational institutions pay attention to the lives of officials, teachers, and staff; support those in difficult circumstances; build a united and sharing working environment.
For students with special or difficult circumstances, schools proactively mobilize resources to award scholarships, support school supplies and create conditions for them not to be interrupted in their studies.
Mr. Bui Nhan Sam, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ha Tinh, said: "The implementation of the happy school model has initially created positive changes in educational institutions in the province. The school environment is increasingly safe and friendly; the relationship between teachers and students is increasingly open and close; concern for the psychology, circumstances and comprehensive development of students is being given more attention.
In the coming time, the Ha Tinh Education sector will continue to promote effective models and methods; replicate typical examples suitable to the practical conditions of each educational institution, ensuring substance, avoiding formality. We take the safety, progress and joy of students and teachers as a measure to build a happy school into a sustainable value in every school.
