Modernizing teaching and learning

Launched in the 2020-2021 school year, the 2018 curriculum was designed with an open approach that puts students at the center. It shifts the goal of education from delivering knowledge to developing students’ qualities and competencies.

According to Trần Đăng Khoa, Principal of Chà Nưa Ethnic Semi-boarding Primary School in Mường Chà commune, the biggest change lies in the mindset of teachers. “We now teach based on students’ abilities, not just the content. Teachers act as facilitators instead of mere transmitters. Students learn through hands-on activities, projects, and group work, which makes them far more proactive and creative.”

To keep pace with the new curriculum, teachers throughout the province have worked hard to renew teaching methods and inspire learners. They incorporate digital tools into lessons, boost student engagement through music and educational games, organize experiential activities by theme, and strengthen practical exercises and group projects.

A major highlight of the 2018 curriculum is the option-based subjects and learning modules at high school level. All high schools in Điện Biên have designed subject combinations that match both school conditions and students’ preferences. In the 2024-2025 school year alone, more than 20,000 students in grades 10-12 are taking elective subjects, with Geography, Economic and Legal Education, Biology, and Informatics among the most popular.

Tống Văn Đỗ, Principal of Búng Lao High School, said subject combinations have become increasingly flexible after three years of implementation. “We design open schedules so students can mix subjects based on teacher availability. Meanwhile, learning modules - another new feature of the curriculum - have been rolled out effectively. More students choose modules every year, especially in Math, Literature, Biology, and History.”

These changes have reshaped not only teacher practices but also student and parent mindsets. Learners now study not just to pass exams, but to enhance personal development, live well, and work effectively. Teachers are becoming true mentors who accompany students in the learning process. As a result, students’ self-study skills, communication abilities, and confidence have improved markedly. They ask more questions, engage in debates, collaborate better in groups, and actively participate in social and career-oriented activities.

Lường Thì Hoa, a student at Thanh Chăn High School, shared: “Lessons now encourage us to explore and speak up. Teachers guide us to research, discuss, and present our ideas. Each class feels more engaging and relatable, and we are much more confident in giving opinions and joining school activities.”

With new teaching and learning methods, the province’s education quality is steadily rising. The high school graduation rate has remained above 98% in recent years, while the number of provincial and national award-winning students continues to increase in both quantity and quality.

Building comprehensive education quality

Identifying curriculum reform as a top priority, Điện Biên began rolling out synchronized measures in the 2020-2021 school year. The provincial Department of Education and Training issued detailed guidance and unified implementation plans from the provincial level down to each school, ensuring timely and effective adoption of the new curriculum.

To date, teachers and education administrators have undergone extensive professional training under the 2018 curriculum. The province has more than 12,000 teachers, with 93.9% meeting or surpassing standards at primary level, 97.6% at lower secondary, and 100% at upper secondary. From 2020 to 2025, more than 17,000 teacher-training attendances have been recorded across over 65 training rounds, ensuring all teachers are equipped with the required modules.

Alongside upgrading human resources, Điện Biên has focused heavily on infrastructure and equipment. The province has mobilized multiple funding sources to improve classrooms and learning facilities. Over 78% of classrooms are now permanent structures, up more than 6% from 2020. Functional rooms such as labs, STEM spaces, libraries, and multi-purpose halls have been newly built or upgraded. Standard teaching equipment has been allocated, with priority for grades implementing the new curriculum.

Comprehensive measures have brought notable improvements to the overall education landscape. Student performance remains stable, talented students have more opportunities to excel, and learners are increasingly confident and independent. Innovative models and teaching methods are proving effective across schools.

Điện Biên currently has 482 educational institutions with more than 7,300 classes and over 207,000 students. The proportion of schools meeting national standards has reached 82.33%, surpassing the provincial Party resolution target by 7.3%. More than 84% of schools have passed education quality accreditation.

Five years on, the 2018 general education program has delivered a fresh boost to education in Điện Biên. It has fundamentally changed the way teachers teach and students learn - from “what to know” to “what to do” and “who to become”. Although challenges remain, the progress achieved so far lays a strong foundation for Điện Biên to continue making breakthroughs, nurturing high-quality human resources for sustainable development in the years ahead.

With strong progress in implementing the 2018 curriculum, Điện Biên is maintaining universal preschool coverage for 5-year-olds and achieving level-2 literacy eradication. The province has also earned level-3 accreditation for universal primary and lower secondary education - one year ahead of the target set by the provincial Party Congress for the 2020- 2025 term.