Flexible college model for 9+

Parents and students of Nguyen Cong Tru Secondary School (Ba Dinh District, Hanoi ) inquire about high schools and colleges in the area. Photo: NTCC.

Focus on career guidance.

According to the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, in the 2022-2023 school year, out of over 129,000 junior high school graduates, only nearly 80,000 were admitted to public high schools (accounting for over 60%). The pressure to enter public high schools in the 2024-2025 school year is predicted to be even greater.

At this time, students are facing various choices regarding their paths after graduating from junior high school. While they have many aspirations, families and students need to carefully consider their abilities and circumstances to find the right path for each. To help students understand themselves and their chosen professions, many schools have collaborated to organize career guidance programs, especially for those in grade 9.

At Thanh Cong Secondary School in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, the annual career guidance program for 9th-grade students, themed "Understanding Yourself - Understanding Your Profession - Reaching Your Dreams," was held from the end of March and attracted considerable attention from parents and students. Ms. Tran Thi Quynh Huong, the Vice Principal of Thanh Cong Secondary School, drawing on her years of experience as an educator, shared insights to help students understand their future goals. This included understanding oneself to clearly grasp one's abilities, thereby setting appropriate aspirations and goals; and understanding one's profession to gain insight into career paths after graduating from secondary school. The program provided information on professions currently in demand and which careers best suit individual abilities.

Accordingly, each student should set goals that are appropriate to their abilities to strive for. For example, for students who are doing well academically and have high results, aiming for specialized schools or top-tier schools in the city is a reasonable choice. Meanwhile, students with average grades can choose schools that are more within their reach. In particular, for some students who are hesitant and unsure about what path to choose after graduating from junior high school – private school, continuing education center, or vocational training – Ms. Huong provided very specific and relatable examples of career paths taken by some of her former students. These examples helped the students feel more confident and realize that public schools are not the only option for their high school years.

Similarly, the Career Fair organized by Mac Dinh Chi Secondary School in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, provided an opportunity for parents and 9th-grade students to listen to presentations and advice from high schools, vocational schools, colleges, and continuing education centers in Ba Dinh District and Hanoi regarding "Opportunities for high school and vocational training after graduating from secondary school." Students received information about various professions, new career fields, and had their questions answered. This gave them a comprehensive overview of career paths after graduating from secondary school.

Wider opportunities to pursue dual degrees.

After much anticipation, Hanoi has finalized the number of subjects for the 2024 entrance exam to public high schools as 3, instead of 4 as many parents and students had previously feared. However, the level of competition remains high compared to previous years, with only about 60% of students successfully admitted to public high schools. Many families, after researching and receiving advice, have proactively enrolled their children in vocational schools, with the 9+ college model being a popular choice due to its lower basic costs and the opportunity for students to obtain a dual degree.

Specifically, according to the Vocational Education Law, students graduating from lower secondary school are allowed to enroll in intermediate-level vocational training. During their intermediate-level studies, students will simultaneously study the general high school curriculum, including four basic subjects, or the continuing education program at the high school level, organized by the school in collaboration with a continuing education center in the area. If students choose to study the eight required subjects, they will be eligible to participate in the national high school graduation exam organized by the Ministry of Education and Training. Thus, upon graduation, they will have both a vocational certificate and a high school diploma.

Sharing his thoughts on the 9+ model, Dr. Le Danh Quang, Vice Principal of Hanoi High-Tech College, said that in the five years since its implementation, the college has seen many 9+ college students achieve outstanding results in both vocational and academic studies. In addition, many students have won high awards at the Hanoi City-level excellent student competition and gold medals at vocational skills competitions at various levels. Notably, one student received a salary of nearly 19 million VND per month during their internship. These real-life stories demonstrate that the choice and placement of students after lower secondary school should be carefully considered by each family and student, with the goal of aligning with their abilities, interests, and family circumstances to ensure proper development in the future.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/phan-luong-sau-trung-hoc-co-so-linh-hoat-mo-hinh-cao-dang-9-10277385.html