Overview of Natural, Socio-Economic Characteristics and Operational Situation of Continuing Education Centers - Vocational Training Centers in Cao Bang Province

Chapter 2

CURRENT STATUS OF MANAGEMENT OF TRAINING TEACHING CAPACITY FOR TEACHERS AT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CENTERS - GDTX‌

CAO BANG PROVINCE

2.1. Overview of natural, socio-economic characteristics and operations of vocational education and continuing education centers in Cao Bang province

2.1.1. Natural conditions, population

Cao Bang province is located in the northeast of Vietnam. The north and northeast border Guangxi province (China), with a 311 km long border; the west borders Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang provinces, the south borders Bac Kan province and the southeast borders Lang Son province. As a mountainous province, Cao Bang has rugged terrain, many high passes, deep ravines and is isolated, making transportation difficult.

The whole province has 13 district-level administrative units (12 districts, 01 provincial city), 199 communes, wards and towns. The natural area of the whole province is 6,700 km2 , but agricultural land accounts for only 9.6%, the rest is forestry land (accounting for 61%) and limestone mountains account for 30% of the area.

Population over 533.5 thousand people. Ethnic groups in Cao Bang include Tay (accounting for 41.0% of the population), Nung (31.1%), H'Mong (10.1%), Dao (10.1%), Viet (5.8%).

San Chay (1.4%),... There are 11 ethnic groups with a population of over 50 people. In the province, there are quite large differences in living standards among ethnic groups. The Tay, Nung, and Kinh ethnic groups mainly live in cities and towns; other ethnic groups live in mountainous areas, with difficult transportation and unfavorable production conditions. Population density is 60 people/km2 , urban population accounts for 13%, rural population 87%. In 2018, the rate of trained workers in the whole province only reached 30%. Cao Bang is one of the particularly difficult provinces in the country, with a high poverty rate, accounting for over 40% in 2018.

2.1.2. Economic and social characteristics

In recent years, the economy of Cao Bang province has grown significantly. In 2018, the economic structure of the province continued to shift towards gradually reducing the proportion of agriculture, forestry and fishery, gradually increasing the proportion of services, industry and construction; 17/17 major targets achieved and exceeded the plan. Of which, the total product in the area (GRDP) reached 7.15/7.0%; GRDP per capita reached 26.7/24.9 million VND. The value of crop, livestock and aquaculture products is estimated at 38.2 million VND/ha; 5/5 communes reached the new rural destination, reaching 100% of the plan; forest coverage rate reached 54.5%, equal to 100% of the plan.

Industrial production value is estimated at 3,716 billion VND, up 11.2% compared to 2017. Tourists are estimated at 1.2 million, up 11.5% compared to the plan; revenue is estimated at 360 billion VND. Total budget revenue is over 1,869 billion VND, equal to 166% of the estimate assigned by the Central Government, equal to 137% of the estimate assigned by the Provincial People's Council, up 21.1% over the same period in 2017. Total import-export turnover through the area is over 2,886 million USD. Total social investment capital increased by over 20.4% compared to 2017. The quality of universal education at all levels and grades continues to be improved; 20/13 schools meet national standards. The poverty rate decreased by 4.01%. Cultural and social fields are given attention; Security and defense are strengthened and maintained.

In addition to the achieved results, some socio-economic indicators have grown but are not stable; the national target program and the New Rural Development program still face many difficulties due to lack of capital; the poverty rate is still high; disbursement of capital for basic construction is slow, especially for large-scale projects; the border trade economy has not developed stably, etc. These are challenges for the socio-economic development of Cao Bang province in the coming years.

2.1.3. Operational situation of Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers in Cao Bang province

The Continuing Education Centers of Cao Bang province were all established in 2006. The scale of the Continuing Education Centers is small, usually with 4 to 7 classes; the number of teachers on the payroll of each Continuing Education Center is usually 10 to 15 people, under the management of the Department of Education and Training; In 2016, implementing Joint Circular No. 39/2015/TTLT- BLDTB and XH- BGD and DT- BNV of the Ministries: Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs (LĐTB and XH), Education and Training, Home Affairs, Continuing Education Centers, vocational training, general technical and vocational guidance centers were merged into Vocational Education - Continuing Education Centers, managed by the People's Committees at the district level.

Thus, with the teaching objects and characteristics of district-level vocational education and training centers in Cao Bang province, teachers teaching at vocational education and training centers have the following characteristics:

- The number of teachers/subject is low (01 teacher/01 subject).

- Teachers rarely exchange expertise.

- Mostly young teachers (under 35 years old).

- Perform many tasks in addition to teaching the high school continuing education program.

- Teaching subjects are diverse in terms of education level and age.

* Education scale and education quality

Table 2.1. Number of students and vocational education and training centers in Cao Bang province

School year

2015-2016

2016 -2017

2017- 2018

Number of Centers

Vocational education - Continuing education

Total number of students

1475

1133

907

Maybe you are interested!

(Source: Statistics, Department of Education and Training of Cao Bang province)

Table 2.2. Number of teachers of vocational education and training centers in Cao Bang province

School year

Total number of teachers		Education level
Male	Female	Master	University
2015 - 2016	48	96	0	144
2016 - 2017	46	95	03	138
2017 - 2018	42	93	03	132

(Source: Statistics, Department of Education and Training of Cao Bang province)

Table 2.3. Two-way educational results of vocational education and continuing education centers in Cao Bang province

School year

Education					Conduct
Good	Rather	Central jar	Weak	Least	Good	Rather	Central jar	Weak
2015-2016	0	120	1054	271	30	751	542	182	0
2016-2017	0	109	764	263	25	576	369	169	19
2017-2018	0	124	617	165	01	465	321	120	01

(Source: Statistics, Department of Education and Training of Cao Bang province)

* Results of activities of the Center for Continuing Education and Vocational Training

After merging with Vocational Training Centers or changing their names to Vocational Training Centers under the management of the District People's Committee, the Vocational Training Centers have developed their own operating regulations issued by the District People's Committee. Basically, the Vocational Training Centers' activities are implemented according to the provisions of Decision No. 01/2007/QD-BGDDT dated January 2, 2017 promulgating the Regulations on the organization and operation of Vocational Training Centers.

Currently, teachers of Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers still perform Vocational Education and Continuing Education functions. Although the number of classes has decreased, Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers still operate well and effectively. The rate of students with poor academic performance is decreasing, the rate of students with good conduct is increasing, and the passing rate is good.

The number of national high school graduates is increasing, many students are admitted to universities and colleges.

Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers have implemented the policy of training human resources for localities well, contributing to the implementation of the policy of student streaming after graduating from junior high school. Currently, Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers are all collaborating with colleges and intermediate schools to train intermediate level students who are studying the high school level continuing education program. After students complete the high school level continuing education program, they will also complete the professional intermediate level program, from which students can immediately participate in economic activities.

In addition to teaching the high school level Continuing Education program, the Vocational Education and Training Centers also participate in vocational training for rural workers, training and granting vocational certificates (under 3 months). Participate in supporting the Community Learning Centers of the communes in the area. Carry out training cooperation in organizing teaching and granting certificates such as IT, English, ethnic languages, ... and other certificates to meet the needs of learners.

Although the number of teachers and staff on the payroll is small, with the help and facilitation of the local government in organizing activities, the professional support of the Departments, Boards and sectors; the dynamism and enthusiasm of the managers, teachers and staff, the Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers have all performed well the tasks specified in the Regulations on organizing activities, contributing to training human resources and performing well the local political work.

* Advantages and disadvantages in vocational education and training activities

- Favorable:

+ With the attention and direction of superiors, the close coordination between departments, branches, unions, and socio-political organizations has created consistency in the organization and implementation of educational tasks in general and continuing education in particular.

+ The stable political and social situation and the gradual improvement of people's economic life have created favorable conditions for educational development; some centers

Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers receive attention from People's Committees at all levels and departments and branches for investment in facilities and teaching equipment.

+ The team of managers, teachers and staff of the vocational training institutions are always united, enthusiastic and responsible, conscious of overcoming difficulties and striving to complete their tasks well.

- Hard:

+ The material and spiritual life of some people in mountainous areas and ethnic minority areas is still very low. Illiterate and re-illiterate people from 36 to 60 years old in some villages and hamlets in especially difficult areas still account for a high proportion compared to the general literacy level of the whole province. Mobilizing and maintaining literacy classes and continuing education after literacy is very difficult. After learning to read and write, people do not have the habit of reading books and reference materials to consolidate their literacy skills.

+ The facilities of some centers have not been newly built; equipment and teaching aids are still lacking.

+ The teaching staff of the centers are mostly young. The number of teachers in the same subject at each center is only one person, so professional development and exchange of teaching experience are difficult.

+ The quality of admission to grade 10 of GDTX high school is very low. Students of the right age (like high school students) do not enjoy state benefits.

2.2. Organize a survey of the current situation

2.2.1. Survey purpose

Assess the current status of management of training in teaching capacity of teachers at Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers in Cao Bang province and organize the assessment of the results of management activities of training in teaching capacity, organizational conditions and factors affecting the management of training in teaching capacity of teachers.

2.2.2. Survey content

- Survey on training teaching capacity for teachers at Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers in Cao Bang province.

- Survey on management of training of teaching capacity for teachers at Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers in Cao Bang province.

- Survey of factors affecting the management of training teaching capacity for teachers at Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers in Cao Bang province.

2.2.3. Method of implementation

a. Information collection method

- Secondary information collection method: information collected through the internet, monographs, articles, research papers, theses, dissertations, etc. related to the topic.

- Primary data collection method: this data is collected by the author through investigation and survey methods. The survey content is the assessment of the subjects on the work of fostering teaching capacity for teachers of the Vocational Education - Continuing Education Centers of Cao Bang province.

- Questionnaire survey method

The topic uses a toolkit including 02 questionnaires for 03 subjects including teachers, managers and students of Vocational Education - Continuing Education Centers of Cao Bang province.

- Discussion and in-depth interview methods.

The target audience is managers and teachers of Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers in Cao Bang province. The main topics discussed include:

+ Identify difficulties in teaching the high school level GDTX program and teaching objects.

+ Solutions to improve teaching quality for GDTX.

+ In-depth interviews with leaders of some Vocational Education and Continuing Education Centers about conditions for ensuring implementation and assessment of training in teaching capacity for teachers.

b. Information synthesis method

Method of analyzing and synthesizing theories and documents. On the basis of theoretical analysis, the author synthesizes and analyzes to build a new scientific theory.

c. Information analysis method

- Comparison method: compare the indicators on the report of Cao Bang Department of Education and Training; compare vertically and horizontally of the statistical table.

- Numerical expression: number of times or percentage.

d. Data representation method

- Statistical table method: the collected data will be scientifically arranged in tables, helping the author to compare, contrast, and analyze according to many different methods to evaluate the nature and phenomenon of the research.

2.2.4. Survey subjects

- Management staff, teachers of continuing education programs and students of 13 vocational education and continuing education centers in Cao Bang province, including:

+ 26 managers and 91 teachers.

+ 100 students.

- Survey period from March 4, 2019 to March 23, 2019.

2.2.5. Survey data processing

- Evaluation criteria for 3 levels:

+ Quantified in points according to the 3-2-1 principle.

+ Use 3-point Likert scale.

Distance value = (Maximum - Minimum)/n = (3-1)/3 = 0.67 1.00 - 1.67: ranked as not feasible; not necessary.

1.67 - 2.34: ranked as less feasible; less necessary. 2.34 - 3.01: ranked as feasible; necessary.

- 5 level evaluation criteria:

+ Quantified by points according to the 5-4-3-2-1 principle

+ Use 5-point Likert scale.