Improving capacity to perform social work and psychological counseling for boarding and semi-boarding schools

Attending the training were leaders and experts from the Department of Political Education and Student Affairs, Ministry of Education and Training; leaders and experts from the Departments of Education and Training; a number of experts in social work and psychology; 180 managers, teachers and staff at ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools, and schools with semi-boarding students in the provinces of Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang.

Training scene

The training activities aim to implement the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas in 2024 and Plan No. 586/KH-BGDĐT dated May 24, 2024 of the Ministry of Education and Training on organizing the compilation of documents, training and fostering to improve the capacity to carry out social work activities and psychological counseling at ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools, and schools with semi-boarding students in 2024.

Speaking at the training, Director of the Department of Political Education and Student Affairs Tran Van Dat said: Psychological counseling and social work are an important part of educational activities in schools. In the process of fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training, there have been requirements on issues related to psychological counseling, social work, life skills, ensuring that when students complete an educational program, they not only grasp professional knowledge, but also acquire the necessary skills.

Emphasizing that psychological counseling and social work have received attention from the Party and the State, Department Director Tran Van Dat said: Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW, dated August 12, 2024 of the Politburo on continuing to implement fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training clearly states the key tasks, which are: “…Innovate and improve the quality of political education, ideology, ethics, lifestyle, life skills, national defense and security education associated with building and promoting the system of cultural values ​​and Vietnamese people. Promote the implementation of building school culture, pay attention to educating students in patriotism, national pride and self-respect, arousing the desire to contribute to the development of a prosperous and happy country. Strengthen school counseling and career counseling; strengthen coordination between families, schools and society in educating students”…

Director of the Department of Political Education and Student Affairs Tran Van Dat delivered the opening speech of the training course.

The Government and the Prime Minister have also issued directives related to psychological counseling and social work in schools , such as: Directive No. 31/CT-TTg dated December 4, 2019 of the Prime Minister on strengthening moral and lifestyle education for students; Decision No. 1895/QD-TTg dated November 11, 2021 of the Prime Minister approving the Program "Strengthening education on revolutionary ideals, morality, lifestyle and arousing aspirations for youth, adolescents and children in the period 2021-2030"; Decree No. 110/2024/ND-CP dated August 30, 2024 of the Government on Social Work, assigns the Ministry of Education and Training to "Preside over and coordinate with ministries, branches and relevant agencies to complete legal documents on social work at educational and training institutions under the state management of the Ministry and guide their implementation; develop projects on social work and perform other tasks according to the functions and state management tasks of the Ministry".

The Ministry of Education and Training has regularly directed and guided the Departments of Education and Training to manage and implement Circulars and Official Dispatches on guidance on psychological counseling and social work in schools, with 9 documents; 8 direct and online training conferences for staff and teachers; organized seminars on social work and psychological counseling policies to review policies and evaluate implementation effectiveness at educational institutions, in some localities; Discussed and discussed solutions to perfect policies on social work and psychological counseling in schools.

However, according to Director Tran Van Dat, the reality shows that the implementation of psychological counseling and social work in schools, especially ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools, and schools with semi-boarding students, still faces many difficulties due to lack of human resources, facilities, operating costs, and especially the staff working in counseling students in schools have not been trained and regularly fostered in expertise and profession. Therefore, organizing and controlling activities for boarding and semi-boarding students is a complex issue that needs to be deeply concerned.

Delegates attending the training

At the training, experts from the Faculty of Social Work, University of Labor and Social Affairs and Hanoi National University of Education shared and provided knowledge and skills in implementing social work activities and psychological counseling in counseling and supporting students for managers, teachers and staff at ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools and schools with semi-boarding students.

Delegates participating in the training also actively exchanged, discussed, and interacted in practice on the topics; shared difficulties, obstacles, and practical situations encountered at schools to work with experts and teachers to find solutions, share experiences, and improve the knowledge and skills needed to apply at their schools and units.

A series of training courses to improve the capacity to carry out social work activities and psychological counseling for managers, teachers, and staff at ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools, and schools with semi-boarding students took place in 5 clusters for 63 provinces and cities.

Dr. Nguyen Trung Hai, Head of Social Work Department, University of Labor and Social Affairs shared at the training session.

Previously, the Ministry of Education and Training held a training session in Ha Tinh on November 26-27 for managers, teachers, and staff at ethnic boarding schools, semi-boarding schools, and schools with semi-boarding students in the provinces/cities of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, etc.; held a training session in Thai Nguyen on November 29-30 for the provinces/cities of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Ninh Binh, Quang Ninh, Phu Tho, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan; T78 Friendship School; T80 Friendship School.

The next training is scheduled to take place in Tra Vinh on December 17-18 and Kon Tum on December 20-21.