WELCOMING REMARKS: Day 1, Session 1: Vietnam Study Visit Kick-off, March 21, 2024
Press Club, 12 P. Lý Đạo Thành, Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Delivered by the Honorable Win Gatchalian, Senator of the 19th Congress:
Ladies and gentlemen, Xin Chao! It is a distinct honor to be here in Vietnam, a land known for its rich culture and remarkable people.
In the Philippines, we share a similar passion for education, believing it to be the cornerstone of personal and national development. We recognize that the future of our children shapes the future of our country. And so, we look to Vietnam, not just as a neighbor, but as a beacon of educational excellence from which we can learn.
That’s why we, the Second Congressional Commission on Education in the Philippines, are here. We face a critical task of evaluating our own education system. This visit represents a firm belief in experiential learning, seeing successful programs in action.
My public service journey, spanning over two decades, has afforded me a front-row seat to the challenges and triumphs of our educational landscape. Personally, this experience has fueled my determination to explore groundbreaking solutions and best practices worldwide.
Our quest has led us from Finland’s innovative classrooms to Australia’s multifaceted educational environments. And now, we find ourselves in the heart of Southeast Asia, ready to delve into the wisdom and practices that have shaped Vietnam’s inspiring educational narrative.
As we kick off our study visit, I am filled with anticipation to delve into the education system of Vietnam. Your education system has achieved what many thought impossible—outperforming many OECD countries in the Programme for International Student Assessment, despite the substantial difference in economic development, and education spending levels. This is a clear indication that with the right policies, success is within reach.
To be part of this journey is indeed a privilege for me, for reading about success in reports is one thing, but witnessing it firsthand is an experience that transcends mere words—to walk the corridors of Vietnamese schools resonating with the promise of young minds, and to engage with educators whose unwavering dedication transforms potential into reality.
Ladies and gentlemen, on this journey, we will take back with us not just memories, but actionable insights that we can implement in our own education system. Thank you very much for this opportunity. We are eager to learn from you, and we look forward to a productive exchange during our time here in Vietnam. Cam on!
