Ministry of Education and Training clarifies information about organizing 2 sessions/day of teaching in junior high school and high school

According to Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong, studying 2 sessions/day is not a new activity in education. In many countries around the world, when there are sufficient conditions in terms of facilities (1 classroom per class; conditions for semi-boarding; enough playgrounds, training grounds for physical activities), enough teachers and a teaching program and educational activities suitable for the psychology and age of students, they organize 2 sessions/day.

Vietnam also has similar conditions, especially for primary school age, 2 sessions/day have been organized for a long time. In particular, the 2018 General Education Program clearly stipulates that 2 sessions/day are compulsory 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 are given a suitable curriculum,” Mr. Thuong affirmed.

Mr. Thuong added that since 2010, the Ministry of Education and Training has had guidelines for teaching 2 sessions/day for high schools and middle schools, encouraging them wherever conditions permit.

“We recognize that studying 2 sessions/day is possible when conditions permit. Studying 2 sessions/day is aimed at ensuring good implementation of the general education program, reducing pressure on students and being organized in a systematic manner by those who understand educational activities, teaching and learning, and forming students’ qualities, abilities, skills and comprehensive development of morality, intelligence, physical fitness and aesthetics,” said the Permanent Deputy Minister of Education and Training.

The Permanent Deputy Minister of Education and Training said that the current situation of teaching 2 sessions/day is 100% implemented at the primary level, the number of secondary and high schools teaching 2 sessions/day has increased significantly compared to 5-10 years ago. Where the organization is good, this activity is better. However, there are still some shortcomings such as the second session in some places teaches cultural knowledge, mainly learning knowledge, not skills, causing pressure on students.

Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training will review and re-evaluate this activity. In the coming time, the Ministry will have general national guidelines for implementation at each level of education with the view of improving the quality of formal education, reducing learning pressure for students while still ensuring effectiveness. The educational goal of all levels is 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 appropriate to the psychology of the age.

Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong affirmed that the Ministry of Education and Training is directing surveys and research, and has not yet announced that secondary and high schools must study two sessions. In addition, schools with the conditions should organize it but must ensure the requirements and goals stated. The Ministry of Education and Training will soon have a document guiding and directing to suit the reality.

Thanh Ha

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/bo-gd-dt-lam-ro-thong-tin-ve-viec-to-chuc-day-hoc-2-buoingay-o-thcs-va-thpt-post544644.html