The timetable must balance between academics and comprehensive student development.

(NLDO) - Schools need to review and arrange reasonable timetables, ensuring a balance between cultural studies and comprehensive student development.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, directed as above at the conference summarizing student work in the 2024-2025 school year organized by the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City on October 24.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, for many years now, the city’s Department of Education and Training has set a target that each student must play at least one sport , and some schools have done very well. Through this, students not only develop physically but also discover their talents and passions.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, for many years now, the HCM City Department of Education and Training has set a target that each student must play at least one sport and there are schools that do very well. Photo: Hoang Quynh

However, some schools raised concerns about awareness, funding, and balancing teaching time with holistic development activities. "The most pressing issue is awareness, and this needs to be addressed by the leadership. Principals and youth assistants must think about and prioritize the interests and needs of students, helping them develop holistically. After this conference, schools need to review and arrange timetables appropriately, ensuring a balance between academic learning and the holistic development of students," Mr. Hieu emphasized.

According to Mr. Tran Van Dat, Deputy Head of the Student Affairs Department, Ministry of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City has achieved many outstanding results, especially in the areas of moral education , life skills, psychological counseling, and prevention of school violence. During the past school year, Ho Chi Minh City did not experience any serious school violence incidents that caused social outrage. The dissemination of legal information, traffic safety, and the prevention of social evils and drug abuse in schools were also implemented systematically.

Deputy Head of the Department of Students, Ministry of Education and Training: Ho Chi Minh City has achieved many outstanding results, especially in the areas of moral education, life skills, psychological counseling and school violence prevention. Photo: Hoang Quynh

Regarding the public reaction to Circular 19 on student rewards and disciplinary measures, which did not maintain the option of suspending students from school, Mr. Tran Van Dat stated that learning is a student's freedom and that this form of disciplinary action also has many shortcomings. This change could create difficulties for teachers.

But right after this circular, the ministry issued Circular No. 18 on school counseling and social work in schools, which greatly complements Circular No. 19. "Therefore, when the new circular is issued, schools should strive to further enhance the responsibilities of the school and teachers to achieve the best results," Mr. Dat said.

According to statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, extracurricular sports activities in schools are receiving attention and are increasingly developing. As of the end of May 2025, 92.23% of schools had established sports clubs for students with diverse disciplines such as martial arts, football, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, etc. 68.7% of students regularly participated in extracurricular sports activities at school.

Regarding facilities, 77% of kindergartens are equipped with adequate exercise equipment according to regulations; 100% of primary, secondary and high schools have playgrounds. 34.6% of primary schools, 41.7% of secondary schools, and 72.97% of high schools have multi-purpose gymnasiums with basic equipment meeting prescribed standards.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-khoa-bieu-phai-can-bang-giua-hoc-van-hoa-va-phat-trien-toan-dien-hoc-sinh-196251024174210525.htm