Viewpoints on the practical learning and holistic education in works written by scholar

Abstract

Nguyen Van Xuan was a scholar, a literature writer, and a teacher in the land of Quang (Quang Nam province). Through many of his works, he gave prominence to the practical and holistic education; criticized the learning style disconnected from reality and “studying to become a bureaucrat”. He affirmed Duy Tan Movement as a spiritual symbol of the struggle for practical learning and holistic education. He criticized the achievement symbol - “Ngu Phung Te Phi” of Quang Nam (the five phoenixes flying together, representing 5 famous scholars from Quang Nam province who passed the university examination in 1898) because this symbolization promoted working as a bureaucrat to enjoy the wealth during the period of French occupation in the South of Vietnam. Scholar Nguyen Van Xuan also criticized the education in South of Vietnam in the period 1954 - 1975 for the incomprehensive education. Those are the meaningful viewpoints for the educational revival today. Thereby, we understand one more scholar – who has a sharp and critical thinking and always desires to innnovate the country for development.