Promoting role of community learning centers

Along with the implementation of the two-tier local government system, commune-level community learning centers in Khanh Hoa Province have been recently reorganized, merged and improved in organization, human resources and activities. Some learning models associated with economic development, cultural preservation and technological transfer have been implemented, contributing to developing a learning society from the grassroots.

An artisan teaches folk culture at Le Loi High School for Ethnic Minorities (Bac Ai Commune).

Grassroots efforts

Bac Ai Commune Community Learning Center, established in July 2025, is tasked with organizing non-formal education and training programs to meet the diverse learning needs of local residents. Truong Cong Huan, Vice-Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, Director of Bac Ai Commune Learning Center, said, "Inheriting and promoting the results of activities from 3 community learning centers of the former communes, in recent times, the center has focused on implementing various activities, including preserving and promoting the cultural values ​​of the Raglai ethnic group. The commune has introduced Raglai language and traditional musical instruments into schools, and coordinated with the Department of Education and Training, together with artisans, to organize Raglai language and musical instrument classes for teachers.

Currently, school principals are all core members of the center. Some artisans, village elders, and prestigious people in the Raglai community are invited to contribute to teaching folk culture in schools. Besides, the center focuses on transferring science and technology, organizing community classes to enhance knowledge and improve production skills among ethnic minorities.

At the Khanh Son Commune Community Learning Center, community learning tasks have been integrated into the local development plan, with expanded models for transferring livestock and crop farming techniques and supporting residents in applying advanced science to production.

A good example is Kator Nguon in Hap Cuong Village. In 2017, he attended a durian growing training course organized by the former Son Binh Commune Community Learning Center. Thanks to the technical guidance he received, he successfully developed a durian orchard of nearly 200 trees, which now produces stable harvests. Following the establishment of the Khanh Son Commune Community Learning Center, he continued to benefit from support and technical advice, enabling him to plant an additional 50 trees.

According to Nguyen Tien Sy, a reporter of Khanh Son Commune Community Learning Center, the locality has favorable conditions for fruit tree development. To make use of this advantage, the center has built a training plan, guiding residents in techniques for planting and caring for durian, rambutan, grapefruit, mangosteen and other crops. After each training session, the management board makes home visits to provide further support, helping local people improve knowledge, increase income and achieve sustainable poverty reduction.

Bac Ai Commune Community Learning Center staff (middle) provide farmers with guidance on production techniques.

Improving operational efficiency

According to Le Dinh Thuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, the People's Committee at the commune level plays the role of directly managing the Community Learning Centers, while the Department of Education and Training is in charge of providing professional and technical guidance. This includes directing, inspecting and supervising the implementation of programs, contents and methods of operation, as well as organizing training courses to improve the capacity of management and staff. The merger of commune-level administrative units has expanded the area and population size, requiring the centers’ management boards to carefully survey residential and socio-economic conditions, along with local learning needs, in order to develop effective and practical operation plans.

Some centers have implemented activities such as opening vocational training classes, organizing illiteracy eradication programs and universal education courses, etc., contributing to improving people's knowledge and living standards. However, some centers are still facing challenges in organization, human resources, facilities and funding to implement activities. In the coming time, the centers are expected to strengthen their organization and apply diverse, practical models to expand learning opportunities, aiming to build a sustainable learning society from the grassroots.

H.N

Translated by N.T