More options for students after graduating from junior high school.

On par with high school, vocational high school, for those who have completed lower secondary school or its equivalent, promises to create a turning point in access to education for millions of students each year after graduating from lower secondary school.

With a program that integrates core knowledge from the high school curriculum and vocational skills, vocational high school students not only complete their general education but also develop professional skills and the ability to apply modern technology to practical work.

This model not only promotes effective career guidance after lower secondary school, expanding flexible paths for young people, but also contributes to reducing the pressure of entrance exams to public high schools; at the same time, it gradually addresses the shortage of qualified technical personnel, meeting the increasingly high and diverse demands of the labor market.

Combining general education with vocational training from the secondary school level not only reduces pressure on the traditional general education system but also effectively utilizes social resources, thereby increasing the proportion of trained workers and improving national labor productivity and quality. For students, vocational secondary education creates a flexible learning path, allowing them to receive early career guidance and vocational training, while still having ample opportunities for higher education.

In fact, Vietnam once had educational programs equivalent to high school, known as technical high schools and industrial high schools (in the 1970s); vocational high schools, professional high schools, and professional secondary schools (in the 1980s and 1990s).

However, these programs are limited in terms of objectives and learning pathways, lack standardized output and diploma recognition, and have inadequate facilities and teachers that do not meet the requirements for integrating culture and vocational training… therefore, they are ineffective and are gradually being phased out.

To prevent vocational high schools from repeating the same mistakes, many experts and educators believe that the prerequisite is to ensure genuine equivalence with regular high schools, not only in writing but also in terms of learning and employment opportunities. It must be recognized that this is not a "way out" for students who cannot compete for admission to public high schools, but rather an alternative educational path, one that is equal in value and respects the diversity of individual abilities.

Immediate steps needed to implement this model effectively include perfecting the legal framework and related policy system; designing a suitable educational program; developing an implementation roadmap; clearly defining the methods, content, organization, and evaluation of graduation; and establishing a close cooperation mechanism between schools and businesses. In particular, adequate investment in resources and conditions for implementation (facilities, equipment, staff, etc.) is crucial.

Specifically, vocational high school programs must ensure genuine integration between cultural education and vocational training, meeting core general knowledge standards while developing vocational skills and work competencies for learners. Program development should be closely linked to the needs of the labor market, new technological trends, and the requirements of digital transformation, avoiding excessive theoretical content and formalism.

The policy is clear; the key to the success of the vocational high school model lies in its scientific approach, consistency, and serious implementation. If implemented systematically, with a clear roadmap, coupled with appropriate investment and effective coordination mechanisms between the State, schools, and businesses, vocational high schools can absolutely become an important pillar of the national education system, thereby gradually enhancing the status and social value of vocational education.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/them-lua-chon-cho-hoc-sinh-sau-tot-nghiep-thcs-post763455.html