Improving the quality of education from national standard level 2 schools

STEAM, clubs… create excitement for learning for students

For the past 3 years, teachers at Nguyen An Ninh Primary School (Tam Hiep Ward, Dong Nai Province) have been teaching using the STEAM method in all lessons. All homeroom and subject teachers must apply this method in their lessons. In addition, each month the school builds a separate topic for students and parents to participate in. Typically, in October, the school organizes a topic on the environment and waste classification at source. Accordingly, teachers will guide students on how to distinguish and classify waste right in the classroom and require them to practice at home with their parents.

The STEAM approach is a curriculum based on the idea of equipping learners with knowledge and skills related to the fields of science , technology, engineering and mathematics - in an interdisciplinary approach that learners can apply to solve problems in everyday life. Instead of teaching 4 separate and discrete subjects, STEM combines them into a cohesive learning model based on practical applications.

For the past 3 years, teachers at Nguyen An Ninh Primary School (Tam Hiep Ward, Dong Nai Province) have been implementing STEAM teaching methods in all lessons. Photo: Khanh Loc

“Students will take photos and videos of their projects and submit them to teachers in the next class. In addition to providing knowledge, we want to train students in skills, discipline and self-awareness from an early age. STEAM lessons and topics help students observe, experience and develop their imagination,” said Ms. Hoang Thi Ngoc, Principal of Nguyen An Ninh Primary School.

Therefore, the students' lessons are no longer boring but always exciting. Instead of just learning theory, students learn through practice, solving real-life problems, thereby comprehensively developing skills. Ms. Cao Thi Hoai Thuong, head teacher of class 1/2, Nguyen An Ninh Primary School said: "I do not focus on scores to create pressure for students. Moreover, the new teaching method (STEAM application) also helps students to be enthusiastic in lessons, love going to school and have more fun, from there they learn actively, explore and enjoy learning."

Students of Cao Ba Quat Primary School (Trang Bom Commune, Dong Nai Province) participate in the school's pickleball club. Photo: Minh Tai

All classrooms of Cao Ba Quat Primary School (Trang Bom Commune, Dong Nai Province) are fully equipped with projectors and computers to serve the students' learning. Not only that, the school also invests in and organizes clubs such as chess, pickleball, badminton, basketball... for students to participate in and develop comprehensively. Although not a "main" subject, the school still invites private coaches to teach and guide the students.

“In addition to the stressful regular classes, students can register to join clubs based on their interests and can change their choices. Joining clubs not only helps students reduce study pressure but also improves their skills, creating a playground for students to develop more comprehensively,” said Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khoi, the school’s principal.

Standard school goes hand in hand with quality education

Not only that, since its establishment (in 1997) until now, Cao Ba Quat Primary School has also implemented a 2-session/day school model. In particular, the school also organizes semi-boarding (students eat lunch and take a break at school). The school's kitchen has been inspected and recognized by the Dong Nai Department of Health for many years in a row as a food safety kitchen. "I feel very secure when my 2 children (a son in grade 4, a daughter in grade 1) study here when they are at school all day. In addition to studying at school, I do not let my children take extra classes, but their academic results have been very good over the years" - Ms. Nguyen Thanh Thuy, a parent of a student, expressed.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khoi, Principal of Cao Ba Quat Primary School (Trang Bom Commune) said: According to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, a national standard school is a school that meets 5 standards: School organization and management; Management staff, teachers, staff and students; Facilities and teaching equipment; Relationship between school, family and society; Educational activities and educational results.
In particular, level 2 standard schools stipulate the necessary standards to ensure the organization of comprehensive quality educational activities at a higher level, creating the premise to approach the development level of schools in advanced countries in the region and in the world.

In terms of teaching quality, in 1998, Cao Ba Quat Primary School was the first primary school in Trang Bom district (old) to be recognized as meeting national standards level 1. By 2024, the school was recognized by the Provincial People's Committee as meeting national standards level 2.

Students of Cao Ba Quat Primary School take advantage of the time to read books in the library. Photo: Bich Nhan

In the 2024-2025 school year, Nguyen An Ninh Primary School was honored to receive the certificate of recognition as a Level 2 National Standard School. This achievement is thanks to the joint efforts and consensus of the school's staff, teachers, employees and students.

Ms. Hoang Thi Ngoc, Principal of the school, said: The school must have enough subject classrooms, playgrounds, music rooms, psychological counseling, multi-purpose classrooms... to ensure the physical conditions. All must bring clear results in the quality of teaching and learning. For 5 consecutive years, 100% of students have completed their studies, without being held back. The school must have enough teachers and training levels according to standard regulations, from university level and above (at primary level).

“As soon as the school reached national standards level 1, we set a target of level 2. From then on, every teacher and staff member must maintain standards and solidarity - meaning that both the principal and teachers have not made any mistakes in management and teaching for many years. This is not easy and everyone must make an effort to build a school that meets standards,” Ms. Ngoc emphasized.

According to Circular No. 18/2018/TT-BGDDT of the Ministry of Education and Training regulating the assessment of educational quality and recognition of national standards for secondary schools, high schools and multi-level general schools, the recognition of national standards for secondary schools aims to encourage investment and mobilize resources for education, contributing to creating conditions to ensure that secondary schools continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of education.

At the secondary level, Hung Vuong Secondary School (Trang Bom Commune, Dong Nai Province) also achieved national standards level 2 from the 2021-2022 school year. The special feature of this school is the quality of the teaching staff - an important criterion of a standard school. According to school statistics, more than 60% of the school's teachers achieved the title of excellent teachers at the district level (2024-2025 school year when the district government still existed); and for the provincial-level excellent homeroom teacher competition in the past school year, the school also had 7/8 people winning prizes at the provincial-level excellent teacher competition.

Hung Vuong Secondary School (Trang Bom Commune, Dong Nai Province) meets national standards level 2 from the 2021-2022 school year. Photo: Minh Tai

Mr. Nguyen Thuy Du, Vice Principal of the school emphasized: “The quality of teaching of teachers is one of the important criteria of a standard school. In particular, teachers must be creative in teaching so that the lessons are no longer dry or boring, so that students are excited to learn. In recent years, many students of the school have achieved the titles of excellent students at the district (old) level, the provincial level or awards from online movement competitions.”

Building a national standard school will contribute to the effective implementation of the new general education program, and at the same time build a school that is increasingly developing in quality and comprehensiveness. And the reality from the schools that have met the national standards has shown clear and convincing evidence.

Bich Nhan

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/giao-duc/202510/nang-chat-giao-duc-tu-nhung-ngoi-truong-chuan-quoc-gia-muc-do-2-f5e1cd5/