What does the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training say about the quality of boarding meals?

On November 7th, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training provided information regarding the quality of school lunch programs and the organization of the 6-lesson/session timetable implemented in some schools in Ho Chi Minh City recently.

The school lunch programs are considered by students to be not worth the price.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY STUDENTS

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training is receiving feedback from students and parents regarding school lunch programs.

At the regular press conference on socio -economic situation organized by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee this afternoon, November 7th, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training provided information related to the quality of school lunch programs and the organization of the 6-lesson/session timetable that has been implemented in some schools in Ho Chi Minh City recently.

Accordingly, recently, students have been continuously complaining about the quality of school lunches, with some meals receiving praise while others have received many negative comments.

Regarding the organization of school lunch programs, the Department of Education and Training stated that it has issued directives to district education departments and school principals to effectively manage school kitchens, canteens, and food services. Educational institutions are required to seriously implement enhanced inspection, management, and supervision of school meals, ensuring food safety, proper nutrition, and environmental hygiene; to appropriately allocate meal times for students; to maintain well-ventilated and clean dining areas; to monitor the processing and supply of food, as well as the cost of each student meal daily; to regularly monitor industrial meal providers; and to strictly conduct self-inspections of food safety in school kitchens and canteens.

The Department of Education believes that coordination from schools, families, and society as a whole is necessary to ensure the quality of school lunch programs for students. Parent-teacher associations at the class and school levels should play their role in coordinating with the school to care for students' health; provide advice and suggestions to the school on organizing school lunch programs; and work with the school to monitor the organization and quality of school lunch programs throughout the school year.

The Department of Education and Training stated that it is ready to receive feedback from parents and students regarding the quality of school lunch programs. It considers this a useful channel for the education sector to further improve inspection and supervision, enhance the quality of school lunch programs, and improve student health care.

Students attend 6 lessons per session; the Department of Education and Training has ordered immediate adjustments.

Furthermore, according to feedback from parents of students at Ho Van Thanh Primary School (District 12), the timetable is arranged with 6 lessons per session. The school claims that due to insufficient facilities, classes only have one session per day, hence the need to arrange the number of lessons as such, including Saturday classes. Forcing students, especially primary school students, to attend 6 lessons per session is contrary to regulations. Has the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training been informed of this, and what solutions are being implemented to alleviate student pressure?

Regarding this information, the Department of Education and Training responded: At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, the District 12 Department of Education and Training requested all primary schools to submit timetables for inspection and approval. It was noted that Ho Van Thanh Primary School arranged lessons from the general education program and lessons implemented according to the school's curriculum, including: Information Technology according to international standards, English with native speakers, teaching English through mathematics and science , life skills, STEM education… with a time allocation of 6 lessons per session as shown on the timetable.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training affirmed that arranging a timetable with 6 lessons per session was not in accordance with regulations and instructed the principal to adjust the timetable, clearly separating lessons from the current general education program and lessons implemented according to the school's curriculum based on parents' needs. They also instructed that these lessons be scheduled at the beginning or end of the school day to facilitate parents dropping off and picking up their children if the students do not wish to attend. From November 2nd, Ho Van Thanh Primary School has implemented the new timetable.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/so-gd-dt-tphcm-noi-gi-ve-chat-luong-bua-an-ban-tru-185241107175745904.htm