Advanced Education Program for Specialized Subjects: A Step to Improve the Quality of Key Education

GD&TĐ - The Ministry of Education and Training announced the draft of the Advanced Education Program for specialized subjects for specialized high schools.

The promulgated program will overcome the long-standing limitation of not having a separate legal document specifically regulating the content of the advanced training program for specialized subjects, helping to ensure uniformity in teaching organization among localities and educational institutions.

Specify the orientation of key educational development

Mr. Le Van Luc - Principal of Nguyen Trai High School for the Gifted ( Hai Phong ) said that the Advanced Education Program for specialized subjects is extremely necessary. Specialized High Schools have the mission of discovering and nurturing gifted students with passion in specialized fields (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics, Literature, Foreign Languages...).

However, for many years, schools have mainly relied on the current general education program, building their own specialized subject teaching plans according to general guidelines; leading to a lack of unity, depth, and not really synchronous with the requirements of developing key education.

The Ministry of Education and Training's development and promulgation of an advanced education program is a timely step, demonstrating the determination to improve the quality of talent training, in line with the spirit of Resolution 29-NQ/TW and the 2019 Education Law, especially in the context of the 2018 General Education Program being implemented synchronously.

Regarding the draft Advanced Education Program for specialized subjects, Mr. Le Van Luc commented: The Ministry of Education and Training has invested carefully, demonstrated through a clear structure, specific goals, scientific content and orientation for developing learners' capacity and qualities. The program clarifies the characteristics of specialized subjects, demonstrated by expanding, improving and deepening them compared to the current general education program; at the same time, orienting to integrate application, develop research thinking and innovation.

However, from the perspective of practical implementation, Mr. Le Van Luc has some suggestions. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide specific guidance on the time allocation between core knowledge, advanced knowledge and scientific research experience activities. At the same time, it is necessary to supplement illustrative examples and orientations on teaching and assessment methods appropriate to each specialized subject. The Ministry of Education and Training needs to soon issue guidance documents and standard reference documents to create consistency and support teachers in implementation.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Minh Chi - Principal of Ben Tre High School for the Gifted (Vinh Long) said that issuing the Advanced Education Program for specialized subjects is to concretize it into a legal regulation, meeting the requirements of discovering and nurturing students with talent and passion for specialized fields, concretizing the orientation of developing key education.

The draft on this content of the Ministry of Education and Training is clearly presented, has specific purposes and legal basis; clearly states the objectives of the advanced program, the requirements to be achieved and the curriculum, specifies the advanced content of the subject, the organization of teaching and assessment. Thereby, creating favorable conditions for teachers to base on for implementation.

“This program helps specialized schools have a clear and unified legal framework to implement specialized subjects, contributing to improving the quality of training excellent students nationally and internationally. Schools will have more specific directions in building teaching plans, compiling documents, and evaluating specialized students.

“Implementing the program encourages schools to invest in training and improving the professional capacity of teachers teaching specialized subjects. This is the basis for schools to build specific teaching programs, promote effective teaching and improve quality,” Mr. Nguyen Minh Chi shared.

Mr. Ngo Thanh Xuan - Principal of Lao Cai High School for the Gifted (Lao Cai) highly appreciated the modern approach, focusing on developing the capacity of specialized students, instead of just imparting knowledge. The requirements for qualities and capacities have been mentioned quite clearly, especially the capacity for research, problem solving, logical thinking, and creativity. The connectivity and inheritance from the 2018 General Education Program are focused on, creating favorable conditions for students to avoid "broken learning chains".

Commenting on the draft, Mr. Ngo Thanh Xuan said that, regarding the content of knowledge, there should be specific instructions on the level of improvement, avoiding schools' own interpretation leading to quality differences between localities. The program should be designed according to major thematic axes with descriptions of requirements, helping teachers easily organize flexible and creative teaching without straying from the standards.

Regarding teaching materials, the draft needs to clarify the direction of using teaching materials: Will there be a unified textbook or set of documents issued nationwide? If not, it is necessary to recommend a source of documents, or a minimum framework of teaching materials.

Regarding teacher training: The advanced program requires teachers to have in-depth knowledge and the ability to organize academic activities. Therefore, it is necessary to have a parallel plan to develop specialized teachers and a suitable selection and evaluation mechanism.

Photo illustration INT.

Prepare conditions to meet the new program

Identifying difficulties in implementation, according to the Principal of Lao Cai High School for the Gifted, not all specialized schools have enough teachers to meet the requirements of advanced teaching capacity. The difference in facilities and learning materials between schools can cause difficulties in synchronous implementation. The transition from the current program to the new advanced program can create pressure for both teachers and students if there is no clear roadmap.

“We proactively develop specialized programs according to the direction of the Ministry of Education and Training, integrating competency goals into the school's education plan. At the same time, we establish specialized professional groups, build a bank of learning topics, competency development questions, and open learning materials.

Strengthening links with universities, research institutes, organizing seminars and scientific conferences to improve teachers' qualifications and create an academic environment for students. Focusing on career guidance for specialized students, avoiding biased or overloaded learning due to competition for achievements. At the same time, I hope the Ministry of Education and Training will promptly issue guidance documents and organize training for specialized teachers nationwide," Mr. Ngo Thanh Xuan shared.

Similarly, Mr. Le Van Luc said that the difficulty is that the source of high-quality human resources to meet the requirements of the new program is still limited, especially older teachers; some program contents require modern teaching methods, which need time for teachers to adapt; facilities and equipment for specialized teaching are not uniform among localities.

Sharing the solution, Mr. Le Van Luc said that the school will proactively review and train a team of specialized teachers through professional activities at the city and cluster levels and coordinate with universities. Strengthen links, invite experts and university lecturers to participate in professional support. Pilot a number of integrated teaching models and scientific research among students.

Encourage teachers to self-study foreign languages to exploit documents and exams in foreign languages, increase the application of information technology and artificial intelligence in teaching and management. The school will actively guide students in learning methods, especially self-study and self-research methods. At the same time, propose the Department of Education and Training and the City People's Committee to support facilities, equipment, and documents, especially in the initial stages of implementing the new program.

The specialized program does not simply teach in-depth, difficult knowledge, but is a true academic environment where students are trained in thinking, research methods, creativity and form specialized academic capacity. A well-designed program with capacity orientation and flexibility will be a solid foundation to fulfill that mission. - Mr. Ngo Thanh Xuan

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/chuong-trinh-gd-nang-cao-cac-mon-chuyen-buoc-chuyen-nang-chat-luong-giao-duc-mui-nhon-post741070.html