School education plan: Meeting new requirements

GD&TĐ - The 2025 - 2026 school year is a pivotal period when general education enters the next stage of the 2018 General Education Program.

Developing school educational plans should no longer be limited to simply distributing the curriculum according to regulations, but must become a tool for managing educational quality, clearly reflecting the identity, development direction, and autonomous responsibility of each institution.

Emphasis is placed on teaching two sessions per day.

The Secondary and High School of Education (under the University of Education 2) began developing its school curriculum early, with a team of experts including highly qualified lecturers from the University of Education 2. The school regularly communicated the development of its curriculum, linking it to each subject, so that parents and students understood it clearly before the new school year began.

Regarding the emphasis on teaching two sessions per day, Dr. Pham Van Gieng - Vice Principal of the school - said that this is not simply about increasing the number of lessons, but more importantly, about reorganizing the learning space and time so that students can access academic learning, experiential learning, individual activities, and clubs.

The school is strengthening core subjects and career orientation; adjusting the curriculum framework, adding lessons in subjects such as Mathematics, Literature, Foreign Languages, Informatics, and Natural Sciences … in order to both meet knowledge standards and create opportunities for students to practice application skills and prepare for exams.

A key highlight this year for the school is the integration of Computer Science with international standards (such as IC3, MOS), incorporating AI concepts and applications into the curriculum from junior high to high school. Alongside this, there is a strong emphasis on STEM education, experiential learning, and socio-emotional education.

The educational plan is not limited to the classroom but extends to clubs such as debate, STEM, arts, sports , extracurricular programs, and community projects. This helps students develop holistically in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The development of the new school year's educational plan also demonstrates the collaborative role between the school, family, and community through talk shows, festivals, and thematic exchanges.

Implementing the two-session-per-day teaching schedule effectively and in accordance with regulations is a key requirement set by Vinh Long High School (Phuoc Hau, Vinh Long) when developing its educational plan. According to Principal Vo Tan Phat, the school is reviewing its facilities and teaching staff to allocate classrooms; ensuring a minimum of 5 days/week, a maximum of 11 sessions/week, with no more than 7 lessons per class per day.

The content of the first and second sessions is also specifically defined; the lesson schedule for the first and second sessions is flexible and suitable to the school's conditions, without putting pressure on students. The plan also emphasizes diversifying teaching methods; balancing the budget to ensure funding for two-session teaching per day; promoting socialization, encouraging and creating conditions for organizations and individuals to contribute and invest resources in education in accordance with the law.

“There are four new points, key highlights in the implementation of the school year's tasks, especially the implementation of two-session-per-day teaching at Vinh Long High School. Firstly, identifying the core, overarching goal of improving the overall quality of education, in line with the 2018 General Education Program and the overall reform orientation of the entire sector.

Secondly, clearly define the first and second sessions in the plan, ensuring a scientific, flexible approach that promotes the holistic development of students; do not mandate that the morning be the first session and the afternoon the second. Thirdly, avoid overloading students, teachers, and parents. Fourthly, prioritize budget allocation for organizing two-session-per-day teaching, effectively implementing the policy of educational socialization while ensuring the principles of voluntariness, transparency, and compliance with the law,” Mr. Vo Tan Phat shared.

Dr. Pham Van Gieng during a teaching session. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Student-centered

Sharing his experience in developing school education plans to meet new requirements, especially the two-session-per-day teaching schedule, Dr. Pham Van Gieng stated: The school's perspective on the two-session-per-day teaching schedule is not only to help students consolidate and enhance their academic knowledge but also to cultivate life skills, digital literacy, and foreign language proficiency according to international standards.

The afternoons become experiential spaces with clubs, interdisciplinary activities, and practical projects to develop social skills, creative thinking, and personalized learning. As a result, students learn more comprehensively, become more proactive, and are better prepared for international integration.

Specifically, Dr. Pham Van Gieng emphasized that the first step is to increase class time appropriately, meeting the right needs and competency goals, and aligning with the school's direction. The school prioritizes subjects that serve the purpose of enhanced learning linked to career orientation (Mathematics, Literature, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences/Social Sciences), but avoids the situation of "cramming" too much time. Each increased class time must be linked to competency outcomes (problem-solving, academic communication, data thinking) and evidence for assessment (practical exercises, projects, learning portfolios).

In addition, increase class time to expand experiential learning spaces and clubs. Afternoon classes should not be turned into "extra tutoring sessions within the school," but rather opportunities for students to develop their comprehensive abilities.

Simultaneously, mobilizing open resources to sustainably operate a two-session-per-day program is a crucial solution to both improve quality and ensure feasibility in practical conditions. Developing appropriate timetables avoids overloading students during the planning process; prioritizing the unique competencies of each subject linked to STEM, AI, and international integration.

Sharing her experience in developing the school's educational plan, Ms. Dam Thi Mai, Head of the Social Sciences Department at Thuan Hoa High School (Hue City), mentioned the key points for the school's successful implementation of the two-session-per-day teaching schedule as follows:

Student-centered approach: Differentiating the curriculum by grade level, meeting both general goals and individual needs (allowing students to register based on their preferred subject combinations and abilities); regularly surveying feedback and adjusting plans to suit practical realities.

Combining learning, training, and foreign languages: Mornings are dedicated to academic studies; afternoons are for supplementary training, club activities, and foreign language enrichment (English, Korean, Chinese). This approach helps students develop holistically and prepare them for integration into the global community.

Parental consensus: The school is transparent and open about the content, objectives, and budget, and receives the support and shared responsibility of parents. The dedication of teachers and the efforts of students are also crucial to the effective and practical implementation of the afternoon program.

Besides the core teaching staff who play a leading role, the school mobilizes student clubs (from the Youth Union of Hanoi Pedagogical University 2) to participate in supporting enhanced lessons, elective classes, and experiential activities.

At the same time, the participation of experts in specific fields will bring a practical perspective, helping students gain more career insights and connect knowledge with life. Mobilizing open resources demonstrates the connection between schools, universities, and society, making the two-session-per-day model not closed but community-oriented. This is the sustainable direction for general education to adapt to the requirements of innovation and integration - Dr. Pham Van Gieng

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/ke-hoach-giao-duc-nha-truong-dap-ung-yeu-cau-moi-post746451.html