On the morning of November 17, 2024, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and the Vietnam National Education Union held the 16th ceremony to confer the People’s Teacher and Meritorious Teacher titles and honor the Outstanding Teachers of 2024.

A view of the ceremony

Led by MOET in coordination with the Vietnam National Education Union, the event marked the 42nd anniversary of Vietnamese Teachers’ Day. It aimed to recognize, honor and express gratitude to outstanding teachers who have made substantial contributions to education, and to encourage teachers to overcome difficulties and fulfill their duties, contributing to the successful implementation of fundamental and comprehensive reform in education and training.

In 2024, the State President signed a Decision conferring the People’s Teacher title on 21 teachers and the Meritorious Teacher title on 1,167 teachers. Among them, three teachers from National Economics University (NEU) received the People’s Teacher title and 10 received the Meritorious Teacher title from the State President, while one teacher was honored as an Outstanding Teacher of the education sector.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and the People’s Teachers of 2024

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son affirmed that honoring the teaching profession and recognizing teachers have become a cherished cultural tradition in Vietnam. For many years, the education sector has taken the lead in coordinating with relevant organizations to hold activities and events recognizing outstanding teachers, especially around Vietnamese Teachers’ Day on November 20. The Minister welcomed and congratulated the 21 People’s Teachers, 65 Meritorious Teachers and 251 Outstanding Teachers attending the event, representing 1.6 million teachers.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son and the Meritorious Teachers of 2024

Discussing the education sector’s results and achievements, which have contributed significantly to building, defending and developing the country, particularly during the period of fundamental and comprehensive reform in education and training, the Minister noted: These substantial and valuable results reflect the attentive leadership of the Party and the State, the direction of the Government, coordination among relevant ministries, sectors and organizations, active engagement by local authorities, and the attention of society as a whole, citizens and parents. In this context, we must also acknowledge the particularly important role of teachers.

We all recognize that skilled, dedicated and outstanding teachers, especially Meritorious Teachers, play a pivotal and leading role and have a far-reaching influence. The Minister acknowledged and highly commended teachers’ contributions to the education sector and to the country’s science and innovation endeavors over the years. He also expressed pride, gratitude, thanks and special congratulations to the selected People’s Teachers and Meritorious Teachers.

To accomplish the education sector’s major tasks, the Minister of Education and Training called for strong determination throughout the sector and the fulfillment of a range of necessary conditions. Among these, the human factor, particularly teachers and education administrators, plays an especially important role.

People’s Teachers, Meritorious Teachers and Outstanding Teachers will serve as key figures, making the fullest use of their experience, intellect, determination and creativity while sharing their knowledge and experience, inspiring others and spreading good practices throughout the teaching community.

These titles recognize and honor teachers’ past achievements and sustained records of performance and contributions. They also reflect expectations that teachers will continue to shine and contribute to the development of education.

Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Education and Training, delivers his speech

On May 30, 1985, the Council of State issued an Ordinance establishing honorary State titles to be awarded to artists, teachers and physicians. From 1986 to 2020, through 15 award rounds, the State President signed Decisions conferring the People’s Teacher title on 650 teachers and the Meritorious Teacher title on 9,081 teachers. This demonstrates the Party and State’s attention to the education sector in general, and to teachers and education administrators in particular, reflecting the nation’s cherished tradition of “respecting teachers and valuing learning.”

In addition to the People’s Teacher and Meritorious Teacher titles, MOET has conducted the “Outstanding Teacher of the Year” selection process since 2017 to recognize and honor teachers and administrators of educational institutions who have made particularly outstanding contributions, brought about positive and effective changes within their institutions, and had an influence across the sector. This recognition motivates teachers and administrators of educational institutions nationwide to embrace reform and creativity, contributing to the successful implementation of fundamental and comprehensive reform in education and training. From 2017 to 2023, through seven Outstanding Teacher selection rounds, the Minister of Education and Training signed Decisions awarding Certificates of Merit to 1,600 teachers.

Article and photos: Department of Communications

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.