During the working session with the 1st Survey Team of the Steering Committee for the Development of the Plan to Strengthen the Party's Leadership over the Work of Promoting Integrity in Education, Minister Nguyen Kim Son emphasized that, in order to educate integrity, we first need to have an integrity-based education system.
This is a completely correct viewpoint. Integrity in education is not only about preventing cheating in exams or ensuring fairness in assessing students' abilities. It also includes honesty in teaching, research, and education management.
Theory is one thing, but in reality, our education system is facing significant challenges. The phenomenon of students and parents bribing teachers, cheating in exams, or abusing power within the education system are typical examples that show that a lack of integrity still exists. These phenomena not only erode public trust but also deprive talented students of opportunities.
To build a truly integrity-based education system, we must "break free" from the mindset of using empty slogans to take action.
Firstly, we must have the courage to "cut off" long-standing irrational phenomena such as the annual Science and Technology Competition for High School Students, which has long been suspected of lacking integrity, being overly focused on fake achievements, but the Ministry still decides to keep it.
Next, we need to develop specific policies to have genuinely integrity-based teachers. Teachers are not only knowledge transmitters but also role models for students in terms of ethics and responsibility. If teachers are not integrity-based, how can we expect students to be honest?
In addition, we need a transparent, clear, and fair education policy system. All procedures from enrollment, exams to assessment must be conducted openly, transparently, and fairly for all parties involved.
Furthermore, promoting integrity in education should be implemented from families, schools to society. Families should educate their children about the value of honesty; schools should create conditions for students to develop their knowledge and ethics comprehensively; and society should create a healthy environment where integrity is respected and valued!
