There needs to be objectivity and calmness in criticism about education.

The new school year 2023-2024 has just begun a month, but a series of sad educational stories have occurred across the country, at many levels of education, receiving special attention from the media and public opinion.

Lost trust

In the flow of information from the media and public opinion about education in recent days, it is easy to see many complaints, anger, and the desire and hope to improve the quality of education in our country.

Thấy gì sau những chuyện buồn giáo dục gần đây?

Without radical, drastic solutions, education seems to be stuck in recurring situations like this. (Source: TPO)

The somewhat familiar response "I know, it's hard, I keep saying it" shows that the image of education from a social perspective is losing more sympathy than ever.

When sketching out the basic outlines of the educational picture, whether we like it or not, public opinion must immediately think of the dark colors and sad streaks that really exist and are rampant.

For example: the rampant overcharging under the guise of socialization; unreasonable, “sky-high” fees, dressed in the guise of “agreement” and “voluntary”; the chronic disease of achievement in teaching and learning, in emulation and movement activities; the problem of school violence from both students and teachers appearing more and more…

Therefore, just one story of educational violations being exposed by the media, being named and shamed by the press, the whole society "rises up" to demand justice and rectification.

Criticism and condemnation poured in from all media channels. This trend is increasing, showing that education is seriously losing trust and sympathy in society.

Without fundamental and drastic solutions, education will continue to struggle in situations like this.

Objective and calm

Social criticism in general and social criticism in the field of education in particular is extremely necessary and brings many positive impacts.

This activity helps not only insiders but also society to perceive the current situation, find out the causes, and propose solutions to improve the quality of education.

However, for criticism to be as effective as possible, an objective and calm attitude is needed.

If we hold prejudices about education based on negative stories that happened before, or if we equate a single incident to the nature of all cases, it will be difficult for us to be objective in making comments and assessments; thereby leading to proposing inappropriate and inaccurate solutions.

It is not uncommon for somewhat extreme comments on education, especially on the internet, to cause the quality of educational criticism to lose its inherent value.

What if the good purpose of educational self-questioning, educational criticism, and educational reform is expressed with harsh, emotional, angry words, lacking valid arguments and convincing logical explanations?

Objectionable criticism, "generalization", and even using language without calmness not only harms its original good purpose and meaning, but also has a negative psychological impact on genuine teachers, causing them to be hurt.

The teaching profession has lost its status, and teachers have lost respect in society. Their efforts of love, their spirit of innovation, and their dedication to their profession have been denied.

This makes teachers who love their profession feel sad. Therefore, it is necessary to be objective and calm in criticizing education, so that the critics can contribute their strength to the process of helping education change for the better.

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