With two school sessions per day, what do middle school students learn?

Many public secondary schools in Ho Chi Minh City organize two-session schooling for 100% of their students each day. What subjects will these students study, and what activities will they participate in during a school day?

Tran Phu Secondary School in Tan Thoi Nhat Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, has achieved a 100% rate of students attending school for two sessions per day. A typical school day for students at this school includes a variety of educational activities.

With a sufficient number of classrooms, Tran Phu Secondary School in District 12 implements a two-session-per-day teaching schedule for all students. The classrooms are well-lit, airy, and equipped with student and teacher desks and chairs, whiteboards, and smart TVs with internet access. The computer labs are fully equipped with computers connected to the internet for teaching and learning...

Students from Tran Phu Secondary School, District 12, participate in a fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue drill.

PHOTO: PHUONG HA

The school has classrooms for social sciences , laboratories for natural sciences, an art room, a multi-purpose room, a mini football field, etc., meeting the requirements for implementing the 2018 General Education Program.

In addition to the traditional library, the school also provides many open library areas where students can freely read books during recess, after school, while waiting to go home, etc.

In addition, the school organizes clubs for students to participate in, such as: football club, photography club, basketball club, etc.

What is the schedule for two classes per day?

Ms. Le Thi Hieu, Principal of Tran Phu Secondary School, said that when arranging the timetable for two sessions per day, core subjects are scheduled in the morning, and for subjects where the school lacks teachers and needs guest lecturers, they can be scheduled for the first few periods of the afternoon.

On the second day, 50% of the time is dedicated to academic subjects such as literature, mathematics, and natural sciences, while the remaining 50% is spent on subjects like basketball, English communication skills, music appreciation, and sepak takraw. Additionally, students can register for computer science classes following the international IC3 standard (in a club format). The timetable ensures no more than 8 lessons per day, as stipulated by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training and the Ministry of Education and Training.

The computer labs are fully equipped with computers connected to the internet for teaching and learning.

PHOTO: PHUONG HA

The mini football field is used for physical education classes and various outdoor activities for students.

PHOTO: PHUONG HA

Ms. Hieu added that Tran Phu Secondary School in District 12 has two art teachers, two computer science teachers, and five physical education teachers, making it convenient to schedule the afternoon session.

Students read books at the traditional library of Tran Phu Secondary School, District 12.

PHOTO: PH

In addition to the traditional library, the school has open libraries in the lobby and on the school grounds, making it convenient for students to read during recess and after school hours.

PHOTO: PHUONG HA

The multi-purpose room at Tran Phu Secondary School allows students to comfortably practice and compete in various sports, including table tennis.

Attending two sessions a day gives high school students more opportunities for holistic development, skill enhancement, and artistic talent cultivation.

PHOTO: PHUONG HA

Enhance skills training and develop competencies for students.

Lam Son Secondary School, located in Ward 2, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, also teaches two sessions a day for 100% of its students from grades 6 to 9, from Monday to Friday, with Saturday being a day off.

The school has 955 students, with an average class size of 41 students per class. The school's facilities are adequate, with 26 classrooms, including 5 subject-specific classrooms, a computer lab with computers, and a library. The total area of ​​the playground and sports field is 1,490 ^m² . The school provides boarding services for students. As of January 10, 2025, the school has a total of 58 administrative staff, teachers, and employees, including teachers for subjects such as mathematics, literature, English, computer science, music, art, and physical education.

Students of Lam Son Secondary School during a physical education class.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Mr. Le Dinh Thao, the school principal, said that before the Ministry of Education and Training's Circular 29 on supplementary teaching (effective from February 14, 2025), the second session would have more lessons in subjects that students are about to take exams in, such as mathematics, literature, English, and natural sciences. Now, in compliance with Circular 29 and while waiting for guidance on the two-session-per-day program from the Ministry of Education and Training, the school is strengthening life skills education and developing students' competencies – subjects included in the school's curriculum.

Ms. Phuong Thao, whose child is in 8th grade at Lam Son Secondary School, said that from a parent's perspective, when her child is at secondary school age, she supports the idea of ​​the child attending school for two sessions a day, ideally with lunch and a nap at school. This saves parents time on transportation, allows them more time for work, and prevents the child from having to leave school at midday and return in the early afternoon. This time can be used for rest, studying, and developing self-learning skills.

Students at Lam Son Secondary School before class in the computer lab.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

In Ho Chi Minh City, many secondary schools effectively organize two-session-per-day teaching for their students, such as Nguyen Du (District 1), Ly Thanh Tong (District 8), Chanh Hung (District 8), Quang Trung (Go Vap District), and Nguyen Van Troi (Go Vap District)...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoc-2-buoi-ngay-truong-thcs-day-gi-cho-hoc-sinh-185250412132832799.htm