Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training: If schools teach well, students won't need to attend extra classes.

"Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training implemented Circular 29 on supplementary tutoring. If schools teach well, help students enjoy learning, and use supplementary software and technology applications, then in addition to classroom lessons, students can access many lessons through games and will no longer need to attend supplementary tutoring."

This was confirmed by the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, Nguyen Van Hieu, this afternoon, March 20th, at Saigon University during a conference summarizing the implementation of the experimental English-Mathematics- Science program with foreign teachers for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Good teaching in school, encouraging self-learning, no extra tutoring.

"Currently, schools are teaching English under conditions influenced by many central government policies, from the Politburo's Conclusion No. 91 continuing the implementation of Resolution No. 29 "On fundamental and comprehensive reform of education and training to meet the requirements of industrialization and modernization in the context of a socialist-oriented market economy and international integration," to the recent Government Project 566 on international integration. All of these highly value the role of English teaching in schools, in order to help the country integrate and develop," said the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training.

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, Nguyen Van Hieu, delivered a speech at the conference this afternoon.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Mr. Hieu highly appreciated the English language teaching programs implemented in schools in Ho Chi Minh City over the past period, one of which is the experimental English-mathematics-science program that has been implemented in the city for nearly 10 years. Mr. Hieu considered this to be a positive teaching method.

Citing an example of an illustration used to teach English, math, and science through experimental activities like building glowing mushroom models, Mr. Hieu argued that this engaging lesson not only equips students with knowledge of English and STEM, but also provides practical life skills. The instructor's illustrations and guidance help students distinguish between safe and poisonous mushrooms. This is particularly meaningful for students in mountainous and rural areas, enabling them to access this knowledge.

At the conference, the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training encouraged school administrators and principals of primary schools to continue focusing on curriculum selection, implementing diverse approaches, and introducing progressive and stable learning programs that meet the learners' abilities to parents. "Especially for primary school students, teachers need to pay attention to equipping them with a foundation for self-learning from now on, and instilling a passion for learning in them," Mr. Hieu said.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu participated in a panel discussion on STEAM, AI, and global English at the conference.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

"Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training implemented Circular 29 on supplementary tutoring. If our schools do a good job of teaching, helping students enjoy learning, providing supplementary software, and applying technology to learning, then in addition to classroom lessons, students can access lessons through games and will no longer need to attend supplementary classes. I don't think many people attend supplementary classes for the sake of knowledge, but due to parents' circumstances, many such classes arise," Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu emphasized.

According to the Director of the Department of Education and Training, schools need to organize activities and teaching methods aimed at satisfying parents. When parents are unable to pick up their children after school, schools can organize games and activities to help students improve their physical fitness, talents, and aesthetic sense, such as music and art, thereby improving the quality of life for these students in the future.

English is a means of communication and a prerequisite for international integration.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu encouraged and motivated schools to continue promoting English teaching and educational programs, so that English, a strength of Ho Chi Minh City students, will continue to be developed. Mr. Hieu emphasized that English is a means of communication and a condition for international integration, especially in the city's education development strategy with a vision to 2030 and 2045, where we must achieve an advanced level in the region and the world.

Students participate in an activity to make "volcanoes" from vinegar and baking soda as part of the English-mathematics-experimental science program at Hoa Binh Primary School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

The conference summarizing the implementation of the experimental English-Mathematics-Science program with foreign teachers for the 2024-2025 school year in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of March 20th was attended by teachers and leaders from the specialized departments of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, district and county education departments, Thu Duc City, and approximately 300 teachers and administrators from primary and kindergarten schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

The English-language math-science experiment program with foreign teachers has been taught in primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City for 9 years (starting from the 2016-2017 school year). By the 2024-2025 school year, 596 classes will be participating in this program.

The number of classes in primary schools that have implemented the English-Mathematics-Science experimental program with foreign teachers over the past 9 years has been compiled.

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT

The program is taught for two lessons per week using the Amazing Science & Math in My World textbook published by Vietnam Education Publishing House, approved by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, and implemented in primary schools through a socialized education model.

The number of foreign teachers for the 2024-2025 school year is 76, as assessed and updated on the Department of Education and Training's website. Foreign teachers participating in the program must comply with all legal procedures and possess the necessary professional qualifications, such as a university degree and English teaching certificates (TESOL, TEFL, etc.).