Classes start at 6:30: Are we overusing classrooms and exhausting students?

6h30 - Ảnh 1. — Students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade have to wait a long time to park their vehicles, so they are often late for class - Photo courtesy.

After Tuoi Tre Online published information about the plan to adjust class schedules at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, many readers commented expressing concern, and even opposition.

Classes start at 6:30 AM, so students have to wake up at 5:00 AM.

Most opinions still lean towards the view that school starts too early. "Going to school for real?" exclaimed Nguyen Tuan Loc.

Another reader expressed their frustration: "The adjustments were made mechanically, without any regard for the students."

Hanh Huynh raised the question: "If classes start at 6:30 AM, do students have to wake up at 5:00 AM or even earlier? Does the school even consider the students' health?"

Reader Huu Nhan added: "Waking up, exercising, then going straight to school, grabbing breakfast on the way to make it to class on time."

Reader An raises the question of why classes aren't starting later and ending earlier. When classes start earlier, everyone has to eat earlier and leave earlier. Teachers with young children who have to take them to school are also significantly affected.

"Just reading this is exhausting. Poor guys and girls," shared Lyly, who hasn't even started university yet.

Avoid traffic jams or utilize classrooms?

Based on the case of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, many people believe that scheduling classes should be based on the students' psychology, urban traffic conditions, and actual learning productivity, rather than simply aiming to "avoid traffic jams" or "utilize classroom space."

While a 6:30 AM class schedule might save the school time, it leaves many students feeling exhausted right from the start of the day.

A question frequently asked by readers is: "If it doesn't lead to better learning outcomes, is starting earlier really necessary?"

According to reader Do Nhat, the credit-based training regulations issued in 2007 stipulate that a class session lasts 50 minutes. With a 120-credit university program over four years, students only need to attend about three sessions per day on average, which is less than half a day. "Why force students to arrive early and leave late, attending up to six sessions a day?" this reader asks.

Another reader, Ana, bluntly stated: "Classes starting at 6:30 am are probably unique to this school in the world ."

Dragon shared his experience of his child studying abroad on a government scholarship: "Over there, morning classes start at 10:15, each session is 75 minutes long, and there are a maximum of only 4 sessions per day."

Many agree that adjusting school hours should be based on students' daily routines, health, and urban traffic conditions, rather than solely on the goal of "maximizing classroom use" or "reducing traffic congestion."

"If it doesn't help students learn better, what's the point of starting earlier?" - a reader asked.

However, not everyone opposes earlier school hours. Some argue that waking up early is "no big deal." Reader Pham Xuan Hai recounts: "Back then, we went to school at 6:30 a.m., walking nearly 10km, and nothing happened."

Despite high enrollment numbers, there aren't enough classrooms, forcing students to schedule classes from early morning until late at night.

Besides classroom time, many readers believe the problem lies in timetable management and facilities.

Reader Vinh raises a deeper issue: the reality is that many universities recruit a large number of students but lack sufficient classrooms, forcing them to schedule classes from early morning until late at night, including weekends.

"Universities have large enrollment quotas, but the facilities are insufficient to meet the demand. Currently, students have to study from 7 am to 9 pm, including Saturdays and Sundays, and many schools cannot allocate classrooms, so timetables are not announced in advance, only on Sunday before the following week, causing students to become disoriented and have to change their plans many times."

" The Ministry of Education and Training needs to review the regulations on enrollment quotas for schools that do not ensure adequate facilities and reasonable study time," reader Vinh suggested.

Classes start at 6:30 AM, so students have to wake up at 5:00 AM.

Avoid traffic jams or utilize classrooms?

Despite high enrollment numbers, there aren't enough classrooms, forcing students to schedule classes from early morning until late at night.

Opinion poll

Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade plans to adjust student class times to start at 6:30 AM (for the first session). What are your thoughts?

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