Human resource development is one of the three key fields that help ensure sustainable poverty reduction in mountainous areas, said Chairman of the Government's Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs Giang Seo Phu. Chairman Phu made the point today in Hanoi at a forum on human resource development in mountainous areas by 2020. Mountainous areas are facing poor human resources. The percentage of high and medium skilled workers is extremely low. Up to 87% of laborers have yet been trained. The contingent of officials is short in number and low in quality. The rates of illiteracy and school drop- outs remain high. Moreover, the quality of teachers in the areas is uneven. Only seven languages of ethnic minority groups are being taught at schools in mountainous areas. Especially, job-oriented education and vocational training have been combined inappropriately. Furthermore, ethnic minority people are still encountering with such problems as weak constitution, malnutrition, low life expectancy as well as premature marriage. According to Mr. K’sor Phuoc, Chairman of the Council of Ethnic Affairs of the National Assembly, it is vital to define orientations and roadmaps for human resource development in accordance with regional socio-economic planning. The Chairman proposed a training program to educate intellectuals who are ethnic people and offer preferential policies to train talented ones coming from ethnic minority groups. Associate Professor Mac Van Tien from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs suggested that vocational training should be popularized through short-term courses in favor of job generation. Besides, vocational training network should be planned flexibly in every region and locality. (news.gov.vn Aug 14)
