Adding compulsory Information Technology subject in university preparatory program: Narrowing the digital gap

GD&TĐ - The Ministry of Education and Training has just announced a draft to amend and supplement a number of articles of Circular No. 44/2021/TT-BGDĐT (Draft Circular). A notable new point is the addition of Information Technology as a compulsory subject in the pre-university cultural knowledge training program.

Equity for minority students

According to Mr. Le Huu Thuc - Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University Preparatory School, adding the subject of Information Technology to the draft is completely reasonable and consistent with the 2018 General Education Program. Thereby, it aims to improve the quality of education and expand learning opportunities for ethnic minority students.

According to the 2018 General Education Program, Information Technology is "upgraded" and can become a main subject with more periods, similar to Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, if students choose a combination that includes this subject. However, even if not chosen as a main subject, Information Technology is still a compulsory supplementary subject. All students, regardless of the combination chosen, must study Information Technology at a supplementary level. This adjustment is to ensure that the university preparatory program is consistent with the new General Education Program, replacing the outdated 2006 program.

Mr. Thuc acknowledged that this is necessary and appropriate to meet the requirements of the new General Education Program. This adjustment does not encounter many difficulties because the new General Education Program has been implemented throughout the general education level, and the preparatory program has the task of consolidating knowledge for students.

Highly appreciating the subject of Information Technology, MSc. Hoang Bao Truong - Head of the Department and lecturer of Social Work at the Vietnam Women's Academy Branch ( Ho Chi Minh City) said that digital skills have become core competencies, on par with reading, writing and calculating skills. In the modern university environment, looking up documents online, using learning software, doing group assignments via digital platforms and participating in blended classes are basic requirements.

If ethnic minority students, who are inherently disadvantaged in terms of access, are not properly equipped with these skills from the preparatory stage, they will continue to face major barriers, increasing the digital divide and directly affecting their learning outcomes.

Being a Nung ethnic, MSc. Truong understands that the majority of ethnic minority students come from disadvantaged socio -economic areas, where access to computers and the Internet is limited. Therefore, this policy is meant to eliminate inequality of opportunity. Compulsory IT study in the preparatory program, with investment from the State, will ensure that all students have a fairer starting point in digital competence. This is the key to helping them not only study well at university, but also open up job opportunities in the rapidly developing digital economy.

Sam Son Ethnic University Preparatory School (Thanh Hoa). Photo: ITN

Expand career opportunities

MSc. Truong acknowledged that in the implementation process, there are inevitably challenges regarding facilities (computers, Internet connections) and teaching staff at preparatory schools. However, these are issues that need to be resolved through a synchronous investment roadmap, not a reason to delay a correct policy. The long-term benefits of improving the quality of human resources and promoting social equity that this policy brings are enormous, far outweighing the initial difficulties.

According to Ms. Tang Thi Ngoc Mai - a member of the 14th National Assembly, making Information Technology a compulsory subject is necessary, especially in the context of digital transformation and the 4.0 industrial revolution that is taking place strongly. This policy not only contributes to improving the quality of university preparatory training, but also helps students to be creative and keep up with the requirements of the digital age.

The new policy also aims to ensure equitable access for students from ethnic minorities, remote and disadvantaged areas - where students have little access to technology. When IT becomes a compulsory subject, students will have the opportunity to narrow the “digital divide”, better prepare for higher education, while also stimulating their passion for technology and opening up new career opportunities.

“After the draft amendments and supplements to a number of articles of Circular No. 44/2021/TT-BGDDT are completed and officially issued, I hope the Ministry of Education and Training will soon develop a framework program with a general orientation for the subject of Information Technology, so that schools within the scope of the Circular can quickly implement it in practice,” Ms. Tang Thi Ngoc Mai emphasized.

The Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that the issuance of the Draft Circular aims to meet the requirements of knowledge training for ethnic minority students who have graduated from high school and have sufficient capacity and qualities in subjects according to career orientation, while at the same time concretizing the ethnic policies of the Party and State in the spirit of Resolution 29-NQ/TW, Law on Education 2019.

Accordingly, the Draft Circular has some new points; including adding Information Technology as a compulsory subject in the cultural knowledge training program. The Draft also enhances the content of practice, experimentation and technology application, especially artificial intelligence (AI). With the new Draft Circular, the Program is flexibly designed with 70% compulsory content and 30% proactively developed by the school.

According to the Draft Circular, pre-university students are provided with cultural knowledge in 3 subjects according to the subject combination used for admission to pre-university schools (subject 1, subject 2, subject 3 including the following subjects: Math, Literature, English, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economic and Legal Education, Information Technology, Technology) and English, Information Technology. Information Technology is included as a cultural knowledge subject.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/bo-sung-mon-tin-hoc-bat-buoc-trong-ct-du-bi-dai-hoc-thu-hep-khoang-cach-so-post744687.html