Elderly people introduce the relic of Cu Tru Temple and Pagoda, Phuong Dinh commune to teenagers and children.

Innovation in traditional education

Located in the grounds of the Martyrs' Temple, Truc Ninh District Museum currently preserves more than 200 valuable artifacts, documents, and images reflecting the history of revolutionary struggles, traditional craft villages, folk festivals, and the development process of the homeland. Every year, the museum welcomes hundreds of students and teachers to visit and learn. Through vivid documents, students have the opportunity to directly access the history of their homeland, better understand the patriotic tradition, resilient spirit, and rich culture of the locality. Not stopping at extracurricular activities, schools in the area also proactively integrate traditional education content into the official curriculum in a flexible manner. Many schools have actively incorporated local historical and cultural knowledge into subjects such as Literature, History, Civic Education, Fine Arts, etc. Teachers combine many forms of communication such as storytelling, document presentation, animation, using maps, pictures of relics, etc. to make lessons more vivid and attractive, thereby arousing interest and self-study spirit in students. At the primary level, traditional education is integrated through folk games, fairy tales, folk songs, creating a feeling of learning while playing, playing while learning. Many schools also invest in building "traditional corners" in classrooms, libraries or school grounds, displaying images of famous people, events, and typical relics of Truc Ninh homeland. At the secondary level, activities such as historical and cultural clubs, festival dramatization, history competitions, and reenactments of historical events are being maintained regularly, creating a diverse learning environment, arousing national pride in students. In addition, many schools also organize competitions such as painting on the theme of hometown, making video clips, writing diaries "I tell stories about my hometown", online multiple choice tests about local history... These are creative and modern forms, helping students express their emotions, understanding and responsibility for their hometown's cultural heritage, while practicing presentation skills and independent thinking. In particular, on major holidays of the year such as: Liberation of the South - National Reunification (April 30), National Day (September 2), War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27), Vietnam People's Army Founding Day (December 22)..., schools simultaneously carry out "returning to the source" activities, organize incense offering at martyrs' cemeteries, visit families of war invalids and martyrs, people with revolutionary contributions, light candles in gratitude... Those emotional real-life experiences help students imbue with the morality of "remembering the source when drinking water", while nurturing gratitude, the desire to live with ideals and responsibility for the homeland and country.

Teaching Cheo singing in Truc Cuong commune.

It can be said that the innovation in traditional education in Truc Ninh has made an important contribution to building a comprehensive educational environment. Lessons on history and culture are no longer dry and one-sided, but are conveyed vividly and closely. Through that, the young generation of Truc Ninh loves their homeland more, is proud of their roots and is ready to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors to preserve and promote traditional values ​​in the new era.

Gratitude - the source of continuing tradition

As a land rich in cultural traditions, Truc Ninh stands out with many traditional festivals held throughout the year in communes and towns. A special feature in the incense offering rituals opening the festival at communal houses, temples and pagodas in the area is the solemn participation of teachers and students of schools. In Phuong Dinh commune, every spring, primary and secondary school students eagerly follow their teachers to attend the festival at the national relic complex of Co Chat temple - pagoda and Cu Tru temple - pagoda (taking place from the 13th to the 15th of the third lunar month). Here, they can immerse themselves in the sacred atmosphere of the Buddha procession, enjoy watching folk games such as wrestling, human chess, boat racing on the river... After each field trip, students also write an introduction about the history of the relic, share their feelings about the hometown festival and propose measures to preserve the heritage. This meaningful activity not only helps children review national cultural traditions but also nurtures and forms a sense of responsibility to preserve the spiritual values ​​left by their ancestors.

In Co Le town - where the famous Co Le pagoda festival takes place in the ninth lunar month every year - the image of groups of students in neat costumes offering incense and visiting the pagoda has become a beautiful feature of each festival season. The Co Le pagoda festival is attractive because of many unique rituals and folk games: palanquin procession, dragon dance, water puppetry, rowing competition, cheo singing... Through participating in the festival, children can have fun in a healthy way, "see with their own eyes, hear with their own ears" the traditional cultural values ​​of their homeland. Many students were interested in learning about the unique architecture of the ancient pagoda, as well as the life and career of the National Master - Zen Master Nguyen Minh Khong (the Holy Founder of Co Le pagoda) - who founded the pagoda and created the spiritual and cultural values ​​here.

Folk art performance by students of Truc Phuong Secondary School, Phuong Dinh Commune.

Traditional education for the younger generation in Truc Ninh is also nurtured from the family and clan traditions. In Truc Cuong commune, many clans such as Tran, Vu, Pham, Hoang… maintain the custom of honoring their children and grandchildren who excel in their studies on the anniversary of their ancestors or on the opening and closing of the school year. In the solemn atmosphere at the ancestral shrine, outstanding students are offered incense to report their achievements to their ancestors and receive awards in the presence of many relatives. This is a beautiful tradition in many villages of Truc Ninh, motivating children and grandchildren to study hard, following the example of their ancestors, while also strengthening the spirit of “remembering the source of the water you drink” in each family and clan.

The role of the local community is also clearly promoted. In Cat Thanh town, every year, schools coordinate to organize for students to visit and offer incense to commemorate Martyr, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Luu Chi Hieu. Touching stories about the heroic sacrifice of the young hero Luu Chi Hieu are told, arousing pride and awareness of following examples in students. On the occasion of National Day September 2 or Liberation of the South April 30, teachers and students of schools in Cat Thanh town together clean Huong Cat temple - pagoda and Nhat Cat Chu temple, take care of flower gardens, and carefully prepare for the incense offering ceremony to commemorate ancestors. These small but meaningful activities have connected the school with the community, while educating students in practical lessons about responsibility and love for their "homeland".

Identifying traditional education as an important foundation for nurturing the personality and character of future generations, Truc Ninh district is promoting the advantages of its rich heritage system combined with innovative educational methods. This work not only instills in students a passion for learning about national history and culture but also contributes to forming a generation of Truc Ninh youth who are steadfast in ideals, rich in identity, and ready to contribute their knowledge and enthusiasm to their homeland and country.

Article and photos: Viet Du