Schools highlight awareness over sovereignty issues

Some schools in the central province of Quang Binh have set up the Vietnamese map model with the Paracel and Spratly islands in their campus, aiming to help their pupils’ awareness of the national sovereignty.

Some schools in the central province of Quang Binh have set up the Vietnamese map model with the Paracel and Spratly islands in their campus, aiming to help their pupils’ awareness of the national sovereignty.

My Trach Primary School in Bo Trach District has pioneered the idea. The model is in the school yard and includes two pillars poles symbolising the Paracel and Spratly islands with the Vietnamese flag on the top.

The Vietnamese map model is being built at Quang Binh's My Trach Primary School

Cao Anh Tuan, headmaster of the school, said that the model was made last October and cost USD909, but not yet been completed. Water will be used to distinguish between the mainland and the sea areas.

“Pupils seem to be very interested in the map which is used for outdoor historical and geographical lessons. This is also expected to help pupils understand more about the country’s sovereignty,” he noted.

Quach Xuan Ky Secondary School is also building the same map with the support from pupil parents.

 

The map model is also being set up at Quach Xuan Ky Secondary School

The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training has considered introducing lessons about border wars and the country's sovereignty over islands in new textbooks. The ministry is collecting the opinion of the public and experts about this plan.

Experts said that the new textbooks, to be issued in 2018, should have basic knowledge, including about the country's sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly islands archipelagos and the 1979 border war with China.

While waiting for the new textbooks, the ministry encouraged schools and teachers to add these events in history lessons or teach about them via extra-curricular activities.