Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training: Schools teach well, students do not have to take extra classes

Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Van Hieu affirmed this this afternoon, March 20, at Saigon University during the conference to review the implementation of the experimental English math - science program with foreign teachers for the 2024-2025 school year.

Good teaching in school, encouraging self-study, no extra classes

"Currently, schools are teaching English in the context of many policies from the Central Government, from Conclusion No. 91 of the Politburo to continue implementing Resolution No. 29 "On fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training, meeting the requirements of industrialization and modernization in the conditions of a socialist-oriented market economy and international integration", and recently Project 566 of the Government on international integration. All highly appreciate the role of teaching English in schools, how to integrate and develop the country", said the Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City.

Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Nguyen Van Hieu spoke at the conference this afternoon.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Mr. Hieu highly appreciated the English teaching programs in schools in Ho Chi Minh City implemented in recent times, one of which is the experimental math-science English program that has been implemented for nearly 10 years in the city. Mr. Hieu assessed this as a positive teaching method.

Giving an example of an illustration for students learning English, math and science by making a glowing mushroom model, Mr. Hieu said that this lively lesson not only equips students with knowledge about English and STEM, but also provides practical life skills lessons. The images illustrated by the lecturer and the instructions help students distinguish between safe and poisonous mushrooms. This is very meaningful if students in mountainous and rural areas can access this knowledge.

At the conference, the Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City encouraged managers and principals of primary schools to continue to focus on selecting programs, implementing many types, and introducing to parents progressive and stable learning programs that meet the learners' abilities. "Especially for primary school students, teachers need to pay attention to equipping them with a self-study foundation right now, instilling a passion for learning in them," said Mr. Hieu.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu participated in the discussion on STEAM, AI and global English at the conference.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

"Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training has implemented Circular 29 on extra teaching and learning. If our schools do a good job of teaching, helping students love learning, have supporting software, and apply technology to learning, then outside of class time, students can refer to lessons through games and will no longer have to go to extra classes. I don't think there are many extra classes for knowledge, but due to parents' conditions, many extra classes arise," Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu emphasized.

According to the Director of the Department of Education and Training, schools need to organize activities and teaching to satisfy parents. When school is out and parents cannot pick up their children, schools can organize games and activities to help students improve their physical strength, talents, and aesthetics such as music, painting, etc. to help improve the quality of life of students in the future.

English is a means of communication, a condition for international integration.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu encouraged and motivated schools to continue to promote teaching and organize educational programs, so that English, which is the strength of Ho Chi Minh City students, will continue to be promoted. Mr. Hieu emphasized that English is a means of communication, a condition for international integration, especially in the city's education development strategy with a vision to 2030 and 2045, we must reach an advanced level in the region and the world.

Students participate in the activity of making a "volcano" from vinegar and baking soda in the experimental English math - science program at Hoa Binh Primary School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

The conference to review the implementation of the experimental English math - science program with foreign teachers for the 2024-2025 school year in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of March 20 had the participation of teachers and leaders of professional departments of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, the Department of Education and Training of districts, Thu Duc City and about 300 teachers and managers of primary and preschool schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

The experimental English math - science program with foreign teachers is taught in primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City for 9 years (from the 2016-2017 school year). By the 2024-2025 school year, 596 classes will be studying this program.

Number of primary school classes that have studied the experimental English math-science program with foreign teachers in the past 9 years is statistically recorded.

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT

The program is taught 2 periods/week according to the Amazing Science & Math in My World curriculum published by Vietnam Education Publishing House, approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training and implemented in primary schools in the form of socialized education.

The number of teachers for the 2024-2025 school year is 76 foreign teachers, assessed by the Department of Education and Training and updated on the Department of Education and Training's website. Foreign teachers participating in teaching the program must comply with legal procedures; must meet professional qualifications such as university degrees, English teaching certificates (TESOL, TEFL...).