What do many schools in Ho Chi Minh City have that make students not want to go home after school?

After school, instead of rushing out the gate, many students hurried into the club room, enjoying the happy joy of school...

The joy of two students of class 1/4 of Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School when taking turns being tiny doctors. "I can hear my friend's heart pounding, it's very happy and interesting" - An Nhien and Bao Nhu said together

Ho Chi Minh City began implementing the happy school model in 2023. Based on the 18 criteria for happy schools issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, schools have had many creative approaches.

Not only innovating teaching methods in the main lessons, in the 2025-2026 school year, many high schools in Ho Chi Minh City also have a very rich and diverse school program, implemented in the form of clubs, meeting the requirements of comprehensive development of students. In particular, these lessons are free of charge to parents.

Happy hours at happy school

We arrived at Dong Da Primary School, Tan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City on an afternoon in late October 2025. At 4 p.m., the bell rang signaling the end of school. But instead of leaving, the students hurriedly packed up their notebooks and excitedly moved to the club room.

Dr. Phan Van Quang, principal of Dong Da Primary School, said: "The school organizes classes from 4:10 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. according to students' interests and personal abilities. Students will choose 3 out of 10 clubs: martial arts, robotics, robocon, life skills, basketball, chess, modern dance, green drawing, vocal training and aerobics. Teachers teaching the clubs can be teachers of the school or selected by the school from partner units."

Dong Da Primary School's martial arts club not only attracts male students but also has many female students participating. They share that learning martial arts not only improves health but also helps them learn how to defend themselves in case of an accident.

Meanwhile, at Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, club lessons take place after morning classes. Master Tran Be Hong Hanh, principal of the school, said that students finished their morning classes at 10:30. At this time, it is too early for them to have lunch and take a nap. Realizing that in addition to the main curriculum, students also need many other skills as well as need to study many subjects to develop their talents.

Therefore, the school has established 14 clubs with many different contents for students to freely choose from such as: amateur music, drum festival, recorder + pianica, children's stars, fine arts, reading fun...

"In particular, the logical thinking language development club attracts many students to participate because they are trained in speaking and presentation skills when faced with situations, events, stories, and know how to behave and solve problems appropriately through the form of viewing pictures, watching situation clips, telling stories, role-playing, acting...

The same goes for the girls' club. Students are taught about early puberty, psychological changes, have their questions about gender answered, and are given instructions on how to prevent abuse..." - Master Tran Be Hong Hanh added.

Happy Playtime

Fun recess with trumpet playing by students of Van Don Secondary School, Xom Chieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Not only happy study hours, Ho Chi Minh City also has happy playtimes with the movement of limiting students' use of phones and mobile devices during recess. Instead of letting students sit idly in a corner with their phones in hand, schools have proactively organized a series of healthy activities such as: cultural and creative activities (setting up a small stage in the school yard with a sound system, setting up an outdoor reading corner, in the lobby...); folk and group games; sports and physical activities...

These activities not only help students practice physical strength, skills, and develop talents, but also create exchanges, connections, and establish beautiful friendships among students.

Dr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, expressed: "Ho Chi Minh City's education has never set a goal of ranking in exams. The goal of the city's education sector is to aim for comprehensive education for students and build happy schools.

The 2025-2026 school year is the first year that the city's education sector operates on the scale of a megacity - after merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau . The Department has requested 100% of high schools in the city to implement the criteria of a happy school. Depending on their conditions, each school will implement according to the appropriate level of the set of criteria.

UNESCO's happy school criteria

It is known that the set of criteria for happy schools was developed by the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City based on the reference of UNESCO's set of criteria for happy schools and the actual conditions in Ho Chi Minh City. After more than a year of research and consultation with experts and teachers, the set of criteria was officially issued on October 16, 2023.

The set of 18 criteria is divided into three groups: human, teaching and educational activities, and environment. Each criterion is evaluated into three levels: needing improvement, fair, and excellent.

Students of Nguyen Thai Binh High School, Tan Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City play chess during recess.

Drum lesson for students of Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School. Teachers teach students traditional drum songs. Students who play drums well are selected by the school to perform at festivals, receive delegations, etc.

School Radio program of Nguyen Thai Binh High School students during recess

Nguyen Thai Hoc Primary School's basketball club has a lot of students participating.

The badminton competition of Van Don Secondary School students attracted a large audience.

Acoustic program for students of Nguyen Thai Binh High School

Many students of Bui Thi Xuan High School, Ben Thanh Ward, go to the school gym to exercise during recess.

The spacious library with many different books is the destination of many book-loving students at Van Don Secondary School. During recess, students lie down and sit comfortably, immersing themselves in their favorite books.

Students of Nguyen Thai Binh High School enthusiastically participate in coloring during recess.

Technology lesson of grade 4/4 students of Dong Da Primary School in the school's botanical garden. Although held outdoors, the teacher cleverly incorporated digital technology into the teaching in the first and last parts of the lesson, making the students excited - Photo: HOANG HUONG

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HOANG HUONG - NHU HUNG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhieu-truong-o-tp-hcm-co-gi-ma-khien-hoc-tro-tan-hoc-van-khong-muon-ve-2025103009261641.htm