Education in Dong Anh district - tradition and modernity = Giáo dục Đông Anh - Truyền thống và hiện đại

Education in Dong Anh district - tradition and modernity = Giáo dục Đông Anh - Truyền thống và hiện đại

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI

INSTITUTE OF VIETNAMESE STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT SCIENCES

-

VU THI NHU QUYNH

EDUCATION IN DONG ANH DISTRICT -

TRADITION AND MODERNITY

Master thesis of Vietnamese Studies

Code : 60 31 60

Thesis supervisor:

ASSOC.PROF TRAN NGOC VUONG

HANOI – 2012

GUARANTEE

I undersigned Vu Thi Nhu Quynh would like to guarantee that this thesis is my individual research under the scientific guidance and supervision of Associated Professor Dr Tran Ngoc Vuong I would like also to guarantee that all data and result in my research are honest and not identical with any research before The information in my research was cited clearly with due source

Graduate Student

Vu Thi Nhu Quynh

I’m also very grateful to teachers, parents, students and other people in Dong Anh district for their helping and facilitate

Finally, I would like to send a big thank to my family and friends for their support and encouragement

Hanoi, November, 2012 Graduate Student

Vu Thi Nhu Quynh

1

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 6

1 Rationale 6

2 Brief of related previous researches 7

3 Objectives and tasks 11

4 Objects of the research 12

5 Scope of the research 12

6 Research methodology 12

7 The findings of the thesis 13

8 Structure of the thesis 13

CONTENT 14

Chapter 1: OVERVIEW OF DONG ANH DISTRICT AND ITS EDUCATION 14

1.1 Overview of Dong Anh district 14

1.1.1 Geography and history in Dong Anh 14

1.1.2 Economy in Dong Anh 19

1.1.3 Cultures in Dong Anh 21

1.2 Draft about education roadmap in Dong Anh Ha Noi 24

1.2.1 Traditional education 25

1.2.2 Modern education 26

Chapter 2: THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION IN DONG ANH 29

2.1 Overview of traditional education in Dong Anh 29

2.1.1 Teacher – learner 29

2.1.2 Schooling systems and management 33

2.1.3 Learning content and examination 36

2.2 Achievements of traditional education 39

2.2.1 Many people in Dong Anh passed the national examinations 39

2.2.2 Many families, villages of court system of competition – examinations in Dong Anh 42

2

2.2.3 Graduates who had many contributions to the society 49

2.3 Traditional education affects much on the life 51

2.3.1 Traditional respect for teacher and study 51

2.3.2 Ancestor worship tradition 53

2.3.3 Marks in the cultural works 54

Chapter 3: THE MODERN EDUCATION IN DONG ANH 58

3.1 Some changes in modern education in Dong Anh 58

3.1.1 Teacher – learner 58

3.1.2 Schooling system and management 64

3.1.3 Learning content and examination 67

3.2 Achievements in the modern education 72

3.2.1 Kindergartens 72

3.2.2 Primary school 73

3.2.3 Secondary school 74

3.2.4 High school 75

3.2.5 Vocational training schools 76

3.3 Some existing issues 77

3.3.1 Career orientation depends on university examination results 78

3.3.2 Extra lessons 81

3.3.3 Violence at school 84

3.4 Some recommendations 84

3.4.1 New context for education 84

3.4.2 Recommendations for education in Dong Anh 85

CONCLUSION 91

REFERENTIAL LIST 93

APPENDIX 98

INTRODUCTION

1 Rationale

Education is one of the most meaningful activities for the development of each country The old people say, “For the benefits for 10 years, it is required to educate people” Such short saying reminds the future generation about the importance of education for the decadence and prosperity of each country A PhD in Le Dynasty said that “Talented and righteous are the life-sustaining element of the nation The country is strong and wealthy only when the life-sustaining element is prosperous On the contrary, the country is weak and humble when the life-sustaining element is decadent Therefore, the kings always consider the education of talent, selection of scholar and education and nourishment of nation’s life-sustaining element necessary” The old people appreciate the education in such way Nowadays, in the context of global integration, the education is increasingly pressing

In addition to the achievements that are prided, the current education in our country remains many disadvantages such as overloaded program, examination pressure, lots of extra lessons, school violence, negative teaching and education methodologies, etc Before such challenges, it is required to research from the generation

of traditional times to the current moment to see the process It also needs the comparison to see the changes Therefore, it can be seen some issues in the current time This is the key to find out the solution for the new education and the basis for the current education review Education is not only meaningful for the development but also influential to the nation culture and leaves a remark on the cultural elements Dong Anh district located in the north and separated from

Ha Noi by Hong River is rich in culture of traditional works, relics, traditional arts and unique foods Saying about Dong Anh means mention about the land, which was twice capital location from An Duong Vuong dynasty to Ngo Quyen Dong Anh is also the place closely linked with Thang Long Ha Noi in all historical phases from the days against Northern invader to two wars against French and American and current modernization phase With such features, the research about Dong Anh, especially the inter-industry researches about education contributes to the traditional culture treasures of

Thang Long land that is very rich in the historical thousands of years,

at the same time, gives us an additional feature to recognize Dong Anh in the district system in Thang Long, Ha Noi

Viet Nam Studies enable the favorable conditions for the researcher to get access to the inter-industry issues at a specific location that is suitable for clarification of education in Dong Anh

Therefore, the writer selects the topic: “Education in Dong Anh

district – Tradition and modernity”

2 Brief of related previous researches

There are many studies about Confucianism in Thang Long via Confucian issues in Dong Anh; however, there is no specialized study about education activities in Dong Anh There is no work about tokens

of educational activities under the view of comparison of past and present Almost works describe education in Dong Anh under the manner of studying the educational achievements in village and

communes’ scope or historical phase Dong Anh with Thang Long

Ha Noi Thousands of years is the giant book in the book library

about Thang Long Ha Noi thousands of years executed by Dong Anh district party committee – people’s council – people’s committee and historical researchers The book introduces the overview about traditions of culture, history and revolution in Dong Anh District for more than two thousand years in the nation foundation and defense It

is calculated since the dynasties of Hung King, nearly one thousand years under Northern invader, feudal dynasties and two wars against French and American and years of comprehensive changes from the innovation starting from VI Party Congress The Confucianism education in Dong Anh is described lively, detailed and comprehensively in Part I – Chapter 3 of this book The book lists out the number of persons passing as per the duration, hometown, profile and merits of people passing the pre-court competition examination The writer states the villages, families of system of competition-examinations in Dong Anh clearly with the accurate evidences This writing can be seen as the systematic part about education in Dong

Anh district based on the book Education about Confucianism

system of former competition – examinations Thang Long Ha Noi of

Bui Xuan Dinh However, the writer pays much attention to listing out the figures without analysis of such figures The modern education in Dong Anh has not been rolled out similarly to the part about

Confucianism tradition that makes the reader not have the general view about education in Dong Anh from the tradition to the modern

aspect

The study about Viet Nam education for long phases after the year of 1917 – present, many works indicates the features, achievements of new education as per each historical period Some

works can be listed out such as Viet Nam Education in contemporary

period of Phan Trong Bau, Viet Nam Education at the threshold of XXI century of Pham Minh Hac, Viet Nam Education History before September 1945 Revolution of Nguyen Dang Tien, Viet Nam Education History of Bui Minh Hien As per this study tendency,

there is no work about the periods and achievements about education

in Dong Anh District

The history shows that many works get access and clarify the content of learning and examination of Confucianism of former students in Thang Long in general and Dong Anh in particular Many other works summarize the new education achievements from the year

of 1917 to present However, the tendency about comparing the educational activities in the past and present to see the changes is still new and required to be explored in the incoming duration From such changes, we can obtain the explanations for some existing issues in the current education On such basis, it is possible to suggest some proposals This urges the writer to further find out to build up more

knowledge and complete the thesis topic “Education in Dong Anh

district – Tradition and modernity”

3 Objectives and tasks

Through this study, the writer wants to have an overview about education in Dong Anh from the past to the present, especially the changes in the education activities in Dong Anh – Ha Noi via two typical phases: before the year 1917 and after the year 2000 to now From the changes in the education activities, the researcher identifies some existing issues in current education and suggests some proposals for building up a modernization education in Dong Anh in particular and in Viet nam in general

4 Objects of the research

Objects of the research are the educational activities in Dong Anh district in two phases:

- Before the year 1917: traditional training phase

- From the year 1917 to present: modern education phase

In the year of 1917 when the French issues the system of education about general rules, the modern education was established with the new features about program, schools, classes, management system, organization and regulations about teacher and learner

5 The findings of the thesis

With the topic “Education in Dong Anh district – Tradition and modernity”, the writer wants to have a detailed view about each aspect

in the education in Dong Anh and see the impacts from such changes

on achievements and limitations of education in Dong Anh and its impacts on the cultural life of Dong Anh people

CONTENT Chapter 1: GENERAL OVER VIEW ABOUT DONG ANH

AND ITS EDUCATION

1.1 Overview about Dong Anh District

Basing on the establishment process of Dong Anh District since the year of 1876, it can be seen that Dong Anh is master planned mainly from Dong Ngan, Tu Son District of Bac Ninh Province and a part of Yen Lang District of Son Tay Province Therefore, it can be seen that Dong Anh is the cultural junction of Kinh bac and former Doai – that is the ancient land rich in the tradition, culture and especially the studious tradition

Near the capital Thang Long, Tu Son has been very famous for the place with hundreds of industries and people always hardworking

and eager to learn According to the book Bac Ninh Geography book

of Mr Do Trong Vinh and Court Charter Book of Mr Phan Huy

Chu, “In Tu Son district, in the old days, Dong Ngan has been the place famous for the culture ever” Compared to the number of people passing the Pre-court competition-examinations, here is the place that always stands the top list In a family and clan, the member takes part

in the competition in series and brings the glory to the village The saying “The fool in Dong Ngan is better than the good one in the world” has been handed down in order to appreciate the tradition of pre-court competition examinations herein There are many other

things through generations about the person passing with the pride The names connected with many glories such as Hoang Giap Duong, Van Dan, Tham Hoa Vuong Khac Thuat, hoang Giap Nguyen Tu Gian, etc shall be always the encouragement for the later generations However, there are not so many achievements about pre-court competition examinations as in Dong Ngan, the historian Mr Phan Huy Chu appreciates Yen Lang District of Son Tay province like the famous place in Doai area – it is one of the rare areas for good geography and talented people and put into the immortal literature Many sages of Thang Long were born here such as Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung Especially, the legends, folk mythology about Tan Mountain, Da River with Tan Vien ruler ranking the lead, famous geographic name such as Van Phuc Silk Area, La Khe, Nhi Khe Wood, Chang Wood handicraft village, etc have increasingly made this area have more supernatural power Despite being a small part of Doai area, Yen Lang brings the supernatural value for this area

Therefore, it can be seen that being located in the junction of two areas Doai – Bac, Dong Anh is a part of Thang Long – Ha Noi with many cultural features of Doai Area impacted from Thang Long culture and vice versa The cultural quintessence’s Kinh Bac have made Thang Long more diverse From this centre, Kinh Bac has received many unique values The long lasting cultures have been adhered and created the traditions for Dong Anh area One of such precious traditions is the studious In general, in the feudal period, Dong Anh has 56 Confucianism PhD, hundreds of interprovincial competition examination persons, bachelors, high school graduate, etc They are the people who devote all their talent and souls to serve the country and they are respected, worshiped, and praised in the history Moving to the modern period, Dong Anh has made many contributions to the country with two greatest writers including Mr Ngo Tat To, Mr Nguyen Huy Tuong and many other scholars

The economy in Dong Anh District has been developed and brought about series of positive changes in life The investment in education is also enhanced better The school system in Dong Anh is increasingly spacious The education support equipments are

becoming more adverse There are more scholarships sponsored by the enterprises and given for the excellent pupils and poor pupils with outstanding results

The industrial zone network in Dong Anh becomes denser, which creates the favorable conditions for the people to resolve the working demands but also helps the pupils, especially the ones in the last year

of high school reduce the examination pressure With many job chances in the locality, the pressure about university has been reduced

On the other hand, the witness for the country change day by day

is also the motivation for the pupil to learn harder to continue the promotion of achievements that have been inherited from the ancestors and enhancement of what the former people has not been done to make the country richer and richer

Each person born in Dong Anh has their own pride about the cultural tradition of their hometown In the in-depth interview of the writer with a retired teacher, she said, “The traditions of ancestors have been imbued with the blood and muscle of Dong Anh People Therefore, we always make our utmost in promoting such traditions in any trading activities” The writer Mr To Hoai told about some visits

to hometown of the writer Mr Nguyen Huy Tuong – a person born in Dong Anh: “Usually, on days near Tet Holiday or in February, March, when the customs and sights carry the spring atmosphere in the suburb villages, I often invites my friends to visit Duc Tu Any time going,

we choose to visit Co Loa Mr Nguyen Huy Tuong knows clearly about Co Loa He told me that we should pay much attention on seeing how and what Co Loa is, etc and how to see the whole area of former Phong Khe and Kinh Bac” [4, page 20] Mr Nguyen Huy Tuong studies about origin of village name in the historical books and legend On each writing, it can be seen the image of magnificent citadel and pride about Dong Anh hometown

Therefore, it can be seen that no matter great writer or normal people, any one born in Dong Anh has the pride and respect about the tradition and such thing urges them to learn, enrich the traditions better and better

1.2 Draft about education roadmap in Dong Anh Ha Noi

Dong Anh people always pride about their learning and examination passing tradition The education rich in good performances from establishment date to now has passed through many phases Each phase is linked with the ups and downs of nation history

1.2.1 Traditional training

In the scope of writing study, the writer uses the concept about traditional training, which means the tradition about learning, and examination passing according to Confucianism

The Vietnamese do not create the Confucianism It is propaganda into our country since the northern invader and dominated by many official governments However, from the appearance in Viet Nam to currently, the Confucianism has become a part of Vietnamese culture look and has big impact on other cultural elements Dong Anh people had paid much attention in learning since Ngo Quyen period At that time, the monarch opened the national school at Mach Trang hamlet [24, Page 540] Thu Cuu hamlet has the book achieve where keeps many books and documents since An Duong Vuong period [24, page 547] Therefore, the writer of Geographic Book emphasizes that

“central nature” of Co Loa via many periods allows to confirm that Dong Anh is the education centre of nation even though in An Duong Vuong or Ngo Quyen period, the education has not been like as later” [24, page 465]

Therefore, it can be seen that in An Duong Vuong or Ngo Quyen period, Dong Anh has had the book house store – the first units for later education However, in order to have the fact that the education with the official thinking system, the learner and teacher become a force in society, the school is built up into the system, it happens only when in the year of 1075, when Ly Monarch opened the first examination to select the talent During about 10 centuries, calculated from the examination in the year of 1075 to the final one in the year

1919, the Viet Nam dynasties opened 184 examinations and selected nearly 300 PhD According to the statistic, list of this book, in any dynasty, Dong Anh always the participants involved in the examination and passed the examination The villages of competition examinations, family with participants in passing the examination in Dong Anh have been recorded in the roll of honor and be the pride for Dong Anh people It can be said that the achievements at those

periods have come along and nourished the determinations and willingness of learning for many Dong Anh generations later

1.2.2 Modern Education

In the scope of study, the writer uses the concept of modern education that means aimed at the education activities since the French established the new education in Viet Nam

On December 21, 1917, Indochinese governor –General Mr Albert Sarraut signed the decree of issuance ”education service general rules” that stated the general regulation throughout Indochina

It is also the foundation for building up the new education in replacement of Confucianism At the same milestone, the education in Dong Anh also transferred to a new aspect Although the changes are not seen clearly as in big cities, Dong Anh people under the French domination were not able to learn much Only some families that have enough conditions to afford their children to go to to western school in

Ha Noi That is also the first time the pupils in Dong Anh have known the classes with chairs, tables, white chalk, black board, library room, laboratory, etc and some new concepts related in the schoolings such

as school age limit, certificate of birth, schooling record, teaching and learning tools, etc The schoolbooks, reference documents and teaching books gradually replace the classic Confucianism book

Chapter 2: THE TRADITIONAL EDUCATION IN DONG ANH 2.1 General overview about traditional education in Dong Anh

2.1.1 Teacher – learner

The former teacher in Dong Anh is respected by the whole villagers but very closed because they come from the poor labor force The teacher has the certain qualifications such as passing the test, scholar examination and not has the conditions to further learn or still take bachelor examination but not pass Therefore, they have to pursue the work as Confucian scholar for earnings However, the teacher is also the one highly ranked in the completion and got the degree, becoming mandarin or bored with being as mandarin or after some times of examinations and dislike the competition, they decides to open the class at home to teach their descendants and pupils living surroundings The teacher is always male

Dong Anh people still remember and propagandas many legends about the Confucian scholar of Nguyen Family in Van Diem, Chu

Family in Duc Tu, Ngo Family in Lai Da, etc The book Dong Ngan

Duc Tu Traditions states that before Chu Nguyen Mai, another name

as Chu Doan Le passed the PhD in the completion - examination with title Canh Hung, he is the pupil of the scholar of Nguyen family in Van Diem Mr Ngo Quy Doan (1877 - 1956), person of Lai Da village, Hoi Phu Commune passes the scholar examination in the 13th year Thanh Thai but decide to teach at home and participate in the literate movement against the French domination instead of being the mandarin “Being the high morality, respect and intense knowledge,

he opened the class at hometown for nearly half of centuries Many family generations from the ancestors to descendants took part in his class His words are still remained on the parallel sentences in the pagodas, communal house, and temple in Lai Da and other shrines”

[27, page 72] The book Lai Da in the past and present written by

Mr Nguyen Phu Son states that the teachers in former Dong Anh: “In additional to the mandarins, there remains many people with intense knowledge but unlucky in examination According to the previous concept, “examination passing means high post but examination failure means being Confucian teacher, etc however, the majority is the Confucian scholars Many villages invite the scholar to teach at the village so that their descendants have chance to be literate” [27, page 73]

The former folk verse often reminds the learning like “without learning when being little means unable to be educated person when grown up”, “only when having literacy can you grow up to be good person” However, considering the Confucianism is the official thinking system, the traditional education defaults the concept of male respect and female under-respect that is the typical feature of the Confucianism Therefore, the Confucian learners always are boys or male teenagers

Thanks to teacher’s teaching, the leaner can pass the examination

to be the mandarin, have the social post, prosperous life and bring the honor for their family and their hometown Therefore, in the behavior treatment, the former learner is not only respective and humble with their teacher but also responsible and in charge of high assignment When going out and meeting their teacher, the leaner has to take off their hat to greet the teacher politely When the teacher is weak or pass

by, their learners have to take care of funeral, worship fall building If