Parents and students listen to advice on choosing subjects and submitting applications for grade 10 at Tran Khai Nguyen High School, Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of July 8 - Photo: NHU HUNG
Therefore, schools advise students and parents to research carefully before registering.
MT's Story
In the 2024 10th grade admission season, MT was admitted to 10th grade at a famous high school in Ho Chi Minh City. On the first day of school to complete the admission procedures, the school gave advice on choosing subjects but T. did not care.
"I was overwhelmed by the school's beauty, exactly as I had dreamed of for so long. So instead of sitting and listening to advice on choosing subjects, I went to visit the school. I asked my mother to decide on all the necessary procedures and then I did it right away," T. said.
However, during the 10th grade, T. realized that her mother had chosen a subject combination that was not suitable for her. "My mother chose for me a combination of physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science. At first, I thought it was normal, but when I started studying, I realized that chemistry, biology, and computer science were too difficult.
I struggled to study, and because I didn’t like the subject, I became more and more discouraged. Meanwhile, I was under pressure to be an excellent student, so in addition to taking extra math and literature classes, I had to take extra chemistry and biology classes.
As a result, all year long in 10th grade, I only knew how to study and study, not daring and no longer having time to join the skills club."
At the end of 10th grade, T. resolutely requested to change his subject group to social sciences . In the summer of 2025, while his friends were having fun with a series of extracurricular programs and playing, T. stayed home to study and take exams.
"I have to rush through three subjects: geography, economic and legal education, and fine arts to take the exam in early August 2025. If I get 5 points or more in each subject, I can change the subject group, officially saying goodbye to chemistry, biology, and computer science," T. shared.
Speaking to Tuoi Tre, Ms. P.Ng. (T.'s mother) expressed regret. "My mistake was not thoroughly researching my child's curriculum. In the past, all students studied physics, chemistry, and biology. I also studied them myself and found them to be obvious.
Now for my child, I thought that if I chose the combination of physics, chemistry, and biology, I would have more opportunities to apply to university. Who would have thought that the new program would be so different now. My child planned to take the university entrance exam with block A1 including math, physics, and English, but should have chosen fine arts, geography, economiceducation , and law to make it easier. The head teacher said that usually students who change subjects only change 1-2 subjects, but my child changed 3 subjects, which was very difficult."
Input consulting
According to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, after the end of each school year, high school students are allowed to change their chosen subjects on the condition that they must study new subjects during the summer and pass the exams for these subjects.
"Of course, changing subjects will be tiring for both students and schools. Therefore, the best way is for students and parents to consider carefully when choosing subjects before entering grade 10," an official from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training advised.
Perhaps for the above reason, most high schools spend a lot of effort and time on subject selection counseling for grade 10. "Our school trained 10 teachers to do subject selection counseling for grade 10 in the 2025-2026 school year.
Not only introducing and explaining the 2018 General Education Program and the importance of choosing subjects, these 10 teachers also have to clearly understand the regulations for the high school graduation exam, the admission plans of universities, and the high school teaching conditions of the school to advise students and parents on choosing the appropriate subject combination," said Mr. Duong Van Thu, principal of Nguyen Thi Dieu High School (HCMC).
According to Mr. Thu, the school divides into shifts so that students and parents do not come to school too much at the same time. The principle is to provide individualized counseling for each case so that teachers can understand the abilities and interests of each student.
On that basis, the choice of subjects will be more suitable. In addition, the school board is also on duty to answer questions from parents and students when necessary. After the consultation phase, students will choose a subject combination and submit their application to grade 10.
"At our school, after announcing the class list for grade 10, if parents and students feel hesitant, they can still meet with the advisory board to redefine the subject combination," Mr. Thu informed.
Similarly, Tran Khai Nguyen High School (HCMC) conducts consultation in three rounds. Round 1 is general consultation in the school yard with contents about the curriculum, testing and evaluation methods, high school graduation exams, and university admissions.
Round 2 is a general consultation on a smaller scale in the classroom, with students being guided to take personality and psychological tests for career guidance; regulations for choosing subject combinations; and round 3 is a 1:1 consultation round.
Ms. Vo Thi Hong Lan, principal of Tran Khai Nguyen High School, said: "After many years of observation, I see that the biggest mistake when choosing subjects is that students choose based on their friends, their parents' wishes, not their own. Parents should not force their children to follow the family's traditional profession, the profession according to their parents' dreams.
Parents should analyze their children's strengths, weaknesses, interests, etc., then sit down and discuss with them so that they can choose the subject that best suits their abilities. As for students, they should seriously take the test according to the school's instructions, then talk to their parents, refer to their secondary school studies, etc. to choose a subject that best suits their future career orientation," Ms. Lan said.
Running class
Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted allows students to choose subjects according to their needs. Each student at this school has a separate timetable. In addition, many other schools are also trying to overcome difficulties to implement the spirit of the new program.
For example, at Tran Khai Nguyen High School, each group has only two subjects: physics - chemistry; chemistry - biology; geography - economic education and law; physics - biology. Students will choose one group and the remaining two subjects are allowed to choose freely. It is known that Tran Khai Nguyen High School has organized "running" classes like this since the 2024 - 2025 school year.
Challenges for schools
The 2018 general education program at high school level has eight compulsory subjects including: literature; mathematics; foreign language 1; history; physical education; national defense and security education; experiential activities, career guidance; local education. In addition, students will choose four elective subjects from the following nine subjects: physics, chemistry, biology, information technology, technology, geography, economic and legal education, music, and fine arts.
Allowing students to choose each subject according to the curriculum is a big challenge for high schools. Especially in the context that schools still have many limitations in terms of facilities, classrooms, lack of teachers...
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tranh-sai-lam-khi-chon-to-hop-mon-lop-10-20250709095231322.htm
Comment (0)