1. The French made consistently systematic efforts to counter various problems in the sphere of education. The textbooks in schools glorified the French and justified colonial rule which was projected as the path to living a successful and modern life. 2. The Vietnamese were represented as primitive and backward, capable of manual labour but not of intellectual reflection. The young minds were made to believe that the Vietnamese could work in fields but not rule themselves; they were 'skilled copyists' but not creative. 3. School children were also told that only French rule could ensure peace and prosperity in Vietnam.