Based on its function as a socio-professional organization for retired educators, the provincial RTA has effectively fulfilled its role of gathering, encouraging, and leveraging the experience and wisdom of its members, actively participating in the general tasks of the sector and the locality.

The provincial RTA was established on September 15, 2005, under Decision No.945/QĐ-UBND of the provincial People’s Committee. At the time of its establishment, the Association had only 382 members from 3 retired teachers’ clubs, including: Điện Biên Phủ town, Tuần Giáo town, and the former Điện Biên district.

Throughout its development process, the Association has adhered to the motto: Building a strong organization; caring for the spiritual and material life and protecting the legal rights and interests of members; motivating members to continue contributing experience and wisdom to the education and training sector, while participating in activities serving the locality, contributing to building new-style rural areas and building green - clean - beautiful, smart, and sustainable villages. The Association actively mobilized the establishment of the Fund for the Promotion of Learning and Talent; participated in charitable activities, supported disadvantaged students, and responded to patriotic emulation movements launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and the education and training sector. Additionally, the Association always accompanies the sector in implementing the “4 togethers” and comprehensive innovation of education and training according to Resolution No.29-NQ/TW of the 13th Party Central Committee.

Along with the rest of the country, starting from July 1, 2025, the RTA had its organizational system consolidated into a 3-tier model. Before June 30, 2025, the Association had 10 affiliated units with 2,249 members; since July 1, 2025, the entire province has 20 commune/ward-level units and 1 club with a total of 2,305 members and 125 association groups. This affirms that the process of organizational consolidation and development has been effective, creating great unity and consensus among the retired teaching staff.

Over the past term, with the attention of the Central Association and the provincial Party Committee, People’s Council, and People’s Committee, the activities of the provincial RTA have been deployed synchronously, closely adhering to the practical situation and meeting the requirements of the new development phase. Throughout the term, attention has been paid to the Association’s development, from innovating the content of political activities to enhancing the responsibility of the branches. Meeting activities are maintained regularly with practical contents associated with the local situation. The Association regularly captures two-way information with the grassroots, adjusting operating methods appropriately, creating an atmosphere of solidarity, and spreading the image of the elegant and exemplary teacher in the community.

Besides activities to build and consolidate the Association’s organization, caring for the lives of members has been a bright spot throughout the term. Units established association funds from members’ contributions, used for longevity celebrations, visits during illness, supporting members facing difficulties, and attending annual activities. On average, the Association visits about 285 members annually with a total amount of over VND 100 million...

The spiritual life of members is also taken care of through cultural activities, arts, physical training, and sports. Currently, 100% of association bases maintain arts performance teams; many units organize training in air volleyball, badminton, qigong, folk dance, and ballroom dancing. Many grassroots associations have organized travel for cadres and members to exchange experiences in association work, and cultural exchanges, contributing to strengthening solidarity and improving the quality of association activities.

The professional activities of the Association not only care for the material and spiritual lives of members but also demonstrate the wisdom of the retired teaching staff. In the education sector, retired teachers continue to promote their role in consulting, social critique, and accompanying the sector. Many members participated in giving opinions on the process of amending the Law on Education, the Law on Higher Education, the general education program, and new textbooks. At the grassroots level, members coordinate with schools in managing students outside of class hours, mobilizing against school dropouts, and propagating innovation policies, contributing to maintaining a safe and sustainable educational environment.

The provincial RTA also actively participates in activities promoting learning and talent. Over the past term, units have donated rice, clothes, shoes, books, and other support for disadvantaged students with a total value of over VND 100 million. This is a practical and correct contribution, suitable for the compassionate tradition of the teaching staff. Besides, members in many places participate in socio-political organizations at the grassroots level such as: village/hamlet Party cells, veterans associations, elderly associations, women’s unions... Thereby, demonstrating the spirit of responsible exemplarity and preserving the qualities of educators.

In the social sector, the RTA has mobilized members to carry out movements of the Fatherland Front and the locality such as: Building new-style rural areas, maintaining village roads and alleys; participating in land donation, contributing to building fences and roads; and social monitoring and criticism of community works. Members participated in supporting people affected by natural disasters and floods according to the locality’s mobilization campaigns.

With these positive contributions, the Association has been awarded 4 excellent Emulation Banners and many Certificates of Merit by the Central RTA of Vietnam over the years; and the provincial People’s Committee awarded Certificates of Merit for each congress term. Specifically, in the 2020 - 2025 term, the provincial RTA was awarded an Emulation Banner by the Central RTA of Vietnam, 28 collectives, and 37 individuals received Certificates of Merit; the provincial Association awarded Certificates of Commendation to 60 collectives and 75 individuals. Affiliated units also used the Association fund to reward collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements. The provincial Association proposed the Central Association award 781 Commemorative Medals to leaders at all levels and members who contributed to the development of the Central RTA of Vietnam. This is an important driving force to continue promoting the sense of responsibility and dedication of the members.

Entering the new term, the requirement for the provincial RTA is to continue improving the quality and effectiveness of its activities, meeting the demands for innovation in the education sector and the overall development of the province. Based on this, the Association identifies its action slogan: “Solidarity - Wisdom - Exemplarity - Compassion - Responsibility,” as a guideline for all activities.

The Association mobilizes members to focus on building an increasingly strong organization; actively building the Association fund to care for the spiritual and material lives of members, aiming for the criteria: Sharing joy and exchanges when healthy; sharing when ill; helping each other in times of difficulty and adversity; and complete affection when a member passes away. Besides, the Association continues to contribute wisdom and experience to the education and training sector and to society; building funds for the promotion of learning in families, clans, and residential areas; encouraging descendants and the community to maintain a spirit of lifelong learning. At the same time, it promotes the implementation of digital transformation to better serve the Association’s activities and improve the quality of life.

Looking back at the path taken, it can be affirmed that the provincial RTA plays an important role in gathering retired educators, creating a healthy environment for activities, and promoting the good experience and qualities of members. The achieved results are an important foundation for the Association to enter the new term with the determination to build an increasingly strong organization, continuing to effectively contribute to the development of the education sector and the social life of the province.

Meritorious Teacher NGUYỄN QUÝ LẠC

Chairman of the Điện Biên provincial Retired Teachers Association