Parents complain about the inadequacy of joint learning, schools schedule more than 7 periods/day

Adjustments after parent's recommendation

Reflecting to Dan Tri newspaper, Ms. Tran Mai (* name has been changed ) - parent of a 2nd grader at My Thuy Primary School - expressed many problems related to educational content in the school's curriculum.

According to Ms. Mai, recently, the school has implemented many subjects such as: Life skills, STEM, math thinking, English with foreigners, IC3... but there has not been consensus or registration from many parents.

In addition, these classes are arranged interspersed with regular school time, leading to some sessions having to study the 5th period, with a schedule of more than 7 periods/day.

"According to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, primary schools cannot teach more than 7 periods per day, but schools still arrange more. In addition, students who do not register to study must wait for their classmates to finish their classes before they can go home," Ms. Mai said.

Students of My Thuy Primary School, Ho Chi Minh City in a class (Photo: Huyen Nguyen).

Mr. Pham Thang (*) - parent of a first grader - wondered if the international standard IC3 computer program was too much for students.

"First graders who can't even read or write are scheduled to study IC3. When parents objected that studying IC3 is too much for first and second graders, the school replaced it with a cheaper computer science subject. I think the children study too much. The main curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Training is not mandatory, so why are they required to study it?", Mr. Thang expressed.

Regarding the teachers' qualifications, parent Truc Lan (*) said that many subjects such as life skills and STEM are assigned to homeroom teachers, but they are not specialized in these subjects.

Responding to the above question, Ms. Lam Ba Duong Dong - Vice Principal of My Thuy Primary School - affirmed that the implementation of all types of learning had been announced to parents by the school at meetings in August and September.

In September, the school conducts learning models for all students to experience and understand the subjects. Students who do not register can still study, without discrimination or fee collection.

"In October, the school will classify them for more specific implementation. Students with financial difficulties but still want to study will be listed by the school and support measures will be found.

For students who do not want to study, parents can pick them up early or arrange a separate space to wait for parents to pick them up. The October timetable has also been adjusted to be more suitable in the spirit of receiving parents' opinions," said Ms. Dong.

My Thuy Primary School, Thu Duc City, HCMC (Photo: Huyen Nguyen).

In response to parents’ questions about the qualifications of teachers, the school’s representative affirmed that all teachers have received formal training in pedagogy and are trained in many skills. During the summer, teachers receive additional knowledge and professional training in teaching life skills, STEM, etc. The teaching content is also constantly updated so it is not new to the teachers.

After parents expressed their opinions, the school discussed with the centers. Any teacher who was capable and agreed with the parents would still be allowed to teach. For any class that did not agree, teachers from the centers would be arranged to teach.

Explaining the IC3 curriculum or computer science for grades 1 and 2, Ms. Lam Ba Duong Dong said that currently, students in grades 1 and 2 have been exposed to a lot of technology. Therefore, it is necessary to familiarize and educate them with knowledge and skills to use computer science and technology safely.

Early exposure to computer science also helps children prepare well for the compulsory computer science program in grade 3, as a stepping stone to familiarizing themselves with the international program.

Ms. Duong Dong informed that in previous school years, the percentage of students from grade 3 participating in the exam to obtain the IC3 certificate according to international standards of this school reached 90%, of which the rate of achieving results was over 95%.

"This partly shows that the school's orientation to early computer learning for students is effective," said Ms. Duong Dong.

Difficult to arrange meals

Many parents in the school also complained about the problem of organizing meals for students when they have to divide into 2 shifts or eat in the classroom, which does not comply with regulations.

Vice Principal Nguyen Thi Hoang Oanh explained: "The school has nearly 1,000 students from 30 classes registered for boarding. Therefore, the area and capacity of the cafeteria will not be able to meet the parents' request to eat together in one shift. The school is forced to divide into 2 rotating shifts to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations."

A lunch of students at My Thuy Primary School (Photo: Huyen Nguyen).

Regarding the fact that first graders are allowed to eat in class, the vice principal said that at the beginning of the school year, because the children are not yet familiar with the rules, manners and routes, the school arranged for them to eat in class for convenience and to not take up much time. After the children are settled, the school will rearrange.

Regarding the complaints about the lack of variety in the menu, dry rice..., the school representative said that the menu was built according to the guidelines for school meals. After each meal, teachers and kitchen representatives listen and observe the students to make appropriate adjustments.

The menu of My Thuy Primary School is publicly displayed at the school gate (Photo: Huyen Nguyen).

Along with that, the school coordinates with the parents' representative committee to implement a three-step inspection regime and store food samples according to Decision 1246/QD-BYT issued on March 31, 2017 by the Ministry of Health. The parents' representative committee also has a regular schedule to visit the kitchen.

Regarding the issue of limiting students' use of lights and fans during recess, the representative of the school board said that the school encourages the spirit of saving electricity. During recess, teachers often guide children to the playground to do physical activities. At the same time, limiting the use of electricity and fans also wants to educate students about the spirit of saving electricity and water, awareness of saving and protecting common property.

Solving the shortage of homeroom teachers

According to parents' feedback, class 1/2 currently does not have a homeroom teacher, so learning and class management are affected.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Principal of the school - said that the homeroom teacher of class 1/2 suddenly left, so from October 4, the school assigned a vice principal to teach to stabilize the class situation.

On October 12, the school recruited teachers according to the schedule of the Department of Education and Training of Thu Duc City. Currently, it is waiting for the results and approval process of the People's Committee of Thu Duc City. After that, the school will arrange teachers for the class so that parents can rest assured.

The school held a meeting and discussed this issue clearly with parents. Parents agreed in a happy spirit and shared with the school.

(*) Parents' names have been changed

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/phu-huynh-than-bat-cap-chuyen-hoc-lien-ket-truong-xep-qua-7-tietngay-20241013223728548.htm