At the regular Government press conference on the afternoon of April 6, the press raised the question that the Ministry of Education and Training had recently informed that secondary and high schools would teach two sessions per day instead of only applying to primary schools. Parents are concerned that if students at these levels study all day, they will not have enough time to study on their own and learn soft skills and foreign languages. In addition, the facilities, teaching staff and curriculum of many schools do not meet the requirements, which could affect the quality of teaching and learning.

Responding to this content, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong said that teaching 2 sessions/day is not a new job or activity in education. Many countries in the world, when conditions are met, also organize teaching 2 sessions/day very well.

Mr. Thuong said that to organize teaching well with 2 sessions/day, there must be at least 3 factors. That is, facilities with 1 classroom for each class; enough conditions for students to stay in boarding schools, eat and rest at noon at school; enough playgrounds and practice grounds for physical education activities and other skills.

In addition, it is necessary to have enough teachers, have a teaching program and organize educational activities that are suitable for the psychology and age of students.

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

Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong said that in Vietnam, teaching 2 sessions/day has been organized for a long time at the primary level, the 2018 general education program also clearly stipulates this. Through practice, it shows that it is much more convenient, because the children are young, so organizing boarding school is very suitable even though the conditions are not as desired.

Since 2010, the Ministry of Education and Training has issued a document guiding the organization of teaching 2 sessions/day for high schools and middle schools. Where conditions permit, this is encouraged.

Mr. Thuong stated that the purpose of organizing 2 sessions/day is to ensure that students can implement the general education program well; reduce pressure on students; and develop students' qualities, abilities, and other skills with the goal of comprehensively developing morality, intelligence, physique, and aesthetics.

Compared to 5-15 years ago, the number of junior high and high schools organizing 2 sessions/day has increased significantly. "Through survey, monitoring, management and direction, we see that places that organize 2 sessions/day well have better overall education quality of that school and class. I note that places that organize well are also better", said Mr. Thuong.

However, there are also some shortcomings. Mr. Thuong cited that in some places, cultural knowledge is mainly taught in the second session, creating pressure for students, while in other places, knowledge is mainly taught, not skills. Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training is reviewing and re-evaluating this activity.

On that basis, the Ministry will have general national guidelines for implementation at each level and class. "The viewpoint is to improve the quality of formal education, reduce learning pressure for students but still ensure the effectiveness of the proposed educational goal that students develop their qualities, abilities and receive comprehensive training in morality, intelligence, physical fitness and aesthetics," Mr. Thuong stated.

Students will not only learn general knowledge but also develop physically and mentally, in physical education, sports, skills, digital citizenship, AI applications, foreign languages, information technology...

In particular, Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong noted that the organization of the second session must be based on the voluntary spirit of students and parents.

"Middle school and high school students have different needs compared to primary school students, including career orientation. Therefore, some students want to gain more knowledge about foreign languages ​​or information technology. If the school does not organize a second session, students can find a suitable place to study. Up to this point, the Ministry of Education and Training has not announced that middle school and high school students must teach two sessions per day," Mr. Thuong emphasized.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/thu-truong-bo-gd-dt-hien-nay-chua-bat-buoc-day-2-buoi-ngay-voi-cap-thcs-va-thpt-2388512.html