Studying 2 sessions/day: Necessary but must be implemented systematically

School should be a place where students want to come all day.

In fact, many parents are concerned that their children will be overloaded by studying all day at school; some schools are worried that the facilities are not enough for students to study both sessions; teachers are concerned about the increased workload... As an educator and also a psychologist, what is your opinion on this issue?

- I fully support the organization of 2 sessions/day, especially at secondary and high school levels. This policy is also very consistent with the humane spirit of Circular 29, reducing the pressure of extra classes, contributing to saving extra study costs for families, while students are still managed by the school, avoiding attending classes that do not guarantee quality. This is also a favorable condition to improve the quality of public education, helping students have more time to interact with teachers and friends in a controlled educational environment, aiming at comprehensive development, in terms of knowledge, skills and qualities.

However, it is important that the second class is not organized in the direction of cramming knowledge or becoming a form of "disguised extra classes". It must be a space to promote personal capacity, build self-study capacity, develop life skills, especially for students to participate in experiential activities, be creative and connect with the school. If the afternoon is just a continuation of the morning lecture, students still have to bring homework home, and still study after school, then clearly this policy has not been successful. The school must become a place where students want to go, not a place where they are forced to go.

Studying two sessions a day is in line with the 2018 general education program. Does that mean that in the afternoon students will study literature, sports and arts instead of continuing to study culture?

- We should not understand that studying 2 sessions/day is "smearing" the current program all day or turning the school into a "babysitting" place. In my opinion, the second session should be designed for students to develop 21st century citizenship skills such as: critical thinking, personal financial management, sex education, prevention of school violence, psychological counseling skills... Previously, many schools complained about lack of time and lack of funds to implement these activities. But now that there is a policy of studying 2 sessions, this is an opportunity to do correctly - to do enough of what the new general education program has oriented.

It is important that the Ministry of Education and Training soon has specific and flexible instructions according to the conditions of each locality. From organizing meals at boarding schools to timetables, reorganizing educational activities during the day to ensure a balance between thinking and physical activities; reasonable working time and resting time, according to the developmental needs of each age group.

The second lesson should be a space to build self-study capacity, develop life skills, and allow students to participate in experiential activities. (Illustration: Phu Xuyen Secondary School)

Concerns that schools are still in the "race" for achievements

Moving to full-day schooling will obviously mean more work for teachers. So what policies do you think are needed to keep teachers from being distracted?

- In my opinion, when switching to teaching 2 sessions/day, the Ministry must ensure that teachers' benefits (income, regime, treatment) will increase correspondingly with the workload. This is a key link. If the regime and policies for teachers are not guaranteed, it will be very difficult to implement the policy of teaching 2 sessions effectively and sustainably.

Increasing working hours must also increase income accordingly. When teachers have a stable life, they can wholeheartedly teach, invest in lessons, and organize experiential activities well.

Currently, this has not been unified and the benefits for teachers are not clear. Some teachers choose to "do enough to meet the target", not interested in innovation because "doing more is the same". The Ministry needs to understand and act from the perspective of the school and the teacher, not just manage from top to bottom in an administrative manner.

The Ministry of Education and Training needs to continue listening to opinions from the grassroots to make timely adjustments, remove difficulties and support schools, teachers and parents.

In the context of the education sector wanting to reduce extra classes, parents still send their children to extra classes because they are worried that their children are not qualified enough to get into good schools. How can we untie this “knot”, sir?

- The responsibility of the education sector is to ensure that all public schools are good, not just a few "key schools" where parents jostle, bribe, and find ways for their children to "study day and night" to get into them. In a public education system, there should not be such clear discrimination as there is now.

In fact, many schools are also participating in the “race” for achievements, promoting enrollment by showing off scores and passing rates, increasing pressure on students and parents. If the “problem” of fairness in the system is not solved, reducing extra classes will only be theoretical.

In my opinion, the policy of studying 2 sessions/day, if implemented synchronously and in the right direction, can completely contribute to reducing extra classes. At that time, students can study and experience fully in school, receive timely support from teachers, parents can also feel more secure, and save on extra classes outside.

I would like to emphasize that my point of view is that the policy of studying 2 sessions/day is necessary, but it must be implemented systematically, with a roadmap and in accordance with practical conditions. The Ministry of Education and Training needs to continue listening to opinions from the grassroots to make timely adjustments, remove difficulties and support schools, teachers and parents in the transition process. When all parties have consensus, education will truly change in a positive and humane direction.

Thank you!

Uyen Na (performed)

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/hoc-2-buoingay-can-thiet-nhung-phai-duoc-trien-khai-bai-ban-post545738.html