Ministry of Education and Training: Studying 2 sessions/day is not a new activity in education.

On the afternoon of April 6, at the regular Government press conference, Permanent Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong answered questions about the information "middle and high school students will have to study 2 sessions/day", which has recently received public attention.

Mr. Thuong said that studying 2 sessions/day is not a new activity in education. In many countries around the world, when there are sufficient facilities, such as 1 classroom per class, boarding conditions, enough playgrounds and exercise grounds, etc., they organize 2 sessions/day.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong. Photo: PV

According to him, Vietnam also has similar conditions, for primary school age, 2 sessions/day have been organized for a long time. Especially the 2018 general education program, clearly stipulates compulsory 2 sessions/day teaching at primary level; at secondary and high school levels, the program is designed to teach 1 session/day.

"In reality, teaching 2 sessions a day is much more convenient for primary school students. The children study at boarding schools and have a very suitable curriculum," said Mr. Thuong.

In addition, the representative of the Ministry of Education and Training also added that since 2010, the Ministry has had guidelines for teaching 2 sessions/day for high schools and middle schools in the direction that wherever conditions permit, it will be encouraged.

"We recognize that studying 2 sessions/day is allowed when conditions are met. The goal of studying 2 sessions/day is to ensure good implementation of the general education program, reduce pressure on students and be organized in a systematic and methodical manner," he affirmed.

However, Mr. Thuong also said that there are still some shortcomings such as the second session where cultural knowledge is taught, mainly learning knowledge rather than skills, causing pressure on students. Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training will organize a review and re-evaluation of this activity.

Mr. Thuong affirmed that in the coming time, there will be general national guidelines to implement at each level of education with the view of improving the quality of formal education, reducing learning pressure for students while still ensuring effectiveness.

According to him, the educational goals of all levels are for students to develop comprehensively, not only learning knowledge but also developing their spirit, physical strength, sports, digital citizenship skills, AI applications, foreign languages, information technology... but must be suitable for the psychology of the age group.

In particular, Mr. Thuong said that the second session is based on the voluntary spirit of students and parents and reduces costs while still ensuring quality. The first session is for regular classes, because when students enter middle school and high school, they will have many other needs and career orientation will have been formed.

"The Ministry of Education and Training is directing surveys and research, and there has been no announcement that secondary and high school levels must have a second session," Mr. Thuong affirmed, adding that wherever conditions permit, it should be organized, but must meet the stated requirements and goals.

Luan Dung

Source: https://tienphong.vn/bo-gddt-hoc-2-buoingay-khong-phai-hoat-dong-moi-trong-giao-duc-post1731496.tpo