Students at Tran Hung Dao Secondary School place bamboo sticks into an emotion scale box before each lesson.
The project, implemented by the Vietnam Foundation for Educational Innovation (VIEF), is being carried out in several provinces and cities nationwide. In Can Tho City, six schools are participating in the pilot program: Nguyen Trai Secondary School, Tran Ngoc Hoang Secondary and High School, Truong Xuan B Primary School, Nguyen Viet Hong Primary School, Phu Thu 1 Primary School, and Tran Hung Dao Secondary School. After more than half a year of implementation, the participating schools have initially organized the implementation of the contents according to the 4-standard framework with 13 criteria; participated in training on 11 modules, conducted self-assessments, and developed improvement plans.
The schools participating in the Project have demonstrated a proactive, creative spirit and a high sense of responsibility in developing development plans, professional activities, school spaces, teaching methods, and educational thinking. All of this is aimed at bringing joy and happiness to students and teachers when they come to school.
At Tran Hung Dao Secondary School (Ninh Kieu Ward), each classroom has diverse and colorful decorated areas. Below the blackboard are wooden shelves holding small potted plants, while the walls are adorned with drawings, picture frames, and meaningful slogans. At the back of the classroom is a "Library Corner and Information Board" where students can stay updated on school and class information, and where they can read books and stories during recess. On the bookshelves is a "What I Want to Say" mailbox where students can share their thoughts and aspirations regarding their studies and lives. There's also a "Tree of Happy Messages" with drawings and images on the theme of a happy school. Particularly noteworthy is the "Emotional Scale" with nine small boxes, each labeled with an emotion such as: happy, sad, angry, anxious, creative, excited… Before each lesson, students place a bamboo stick with their name on it into an emotion box. The teacher then uses the scale to understand the students' moods and adapt the lesson accordingly.
This is the Happy Classroom model, aiming to create a friendly and vibrant classroom environment; helping students confidently express their feelings and thoughts, strengthening the bond between teachers and students, and reducing academic pressure. In addition, the school organizes many other positive activities, such as: "Experiential and Creative Recess - Enhancing Digital Skills, Strengthening Life Skills," STEM - Robotics Club, Pink Youth Club (school psychological counseling); organizing educational workshops such as "First Time Confidently Sharing," "One Beautiful Story, One Good Book, One Shining Example Each Week"; organizing experiential learning, field trips, and exchanges with military units…
Nguyen Tuyet Trinh, a student at Tran Hung Dao Secondary School, shared: “Participating in activities organized by the school makes me very happy because I learn many new things and connect more with my friends. The skills I learn at school help me become more confident.”
In other schools, the content of building a Happy School is integrated into the educational plan, linked to teaching activities, experiential activities, and collective activities; ensuring consistency, continuity, and alignment with the 2018 General Education Program. In particular, coordination between the school, family, and community is strengthened. Many practical and meaningful models and activities have been implemented: the Happy Parents Community at Tran Ngoc Hoang Secondary and High School; the renovation of flower gardens and clean restrooms at Truong Xuan B Primary School; the integration of STEM education with local heritage at Phu Thu 1 Primary School; the innovation of homeroom activities, the organization of science film festivals, and many experiential activities at Nguyen Trai Secondary School… Infrastructure and teaching equipment have also been invested in.
At the conference reviewing the results of Phase 1 of the project, recently organized by the Can Tho City Department of Education and Training, leaders of participating schools stated that, despite some remaining difficulties, the schools have shifted from primarily teaching academic knowledge to comprehensively focusing on emotional education, life skills, and the development of students' happiness. The integration of the Happy School concept into educational plans has been implemented systematically, with clear direction and in line with practical realities. In this process, the leadership role of the principal is crucial and should be implemented starting with small, practical activities, gradually progressing to larger, more meticulously planned models.
According to Mr. Nguyen Phuc Tang, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Can Tho City, the activities to build happy schools are gradually becoming more organized; the pedagogical environment has undergone positive changes; the relationship between teachers and students has been strengthened in the direction of respect, listening, and companionship; and students actively participate in activities, confidently share, and develop their skills. In the next phase, the project will continue to expand to 10 other schools, while connecting and spreading effective models among participating schools. This will contribute to maintaining and developing a positive school environment sustainably, with the motto "Do it right - Be happy".
Text and photos: LE THU
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/no-luc-xay-dung-truong-hoc-hanh-phuc-tai-can-tho-a203265.html
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