Without grading first graders, teachers have a harder time

In the new school year 2013-2014, the Ministry of Education and Training will promote the implementation of a series of new policies and solutions right from the primary level to implement the Conclusion of the 6th Central Conference of the 11th Party Central Committee on Comprehensive and Fundamental Innovation of Education and Training, while actively preparing for the Innovation of the Program and replacement of General Education Textbooks after 2015.

To clarify new policies on primary education, VNA reporters had an interview with Director of the Primary Education Department Pham Ngoc Dinh.



Writing practice session for first graders at Vinh Trai Primary School (Lang Son City). Photo: Minh Quyet – VNA

* Reporter: Could you tell us about the new policies for primary education in the new school year 2013-2014?

* Head of Primary Education Department Pham Ngoc Dinh: In the 2013-2014 school year, primary education has new points compared to before: Synchronous innovation in teaching methods, learning methods, testing and evaluation, classroom management. The whole country has applied many advanced models such as the new school model, the "kneading dough" model, gradually applying Vietnamese teaching for grade 1 according to educational technology, expanding bilingual teaching in places with conditions...

Regarding innovation in teaching methods: Teachers do not lecture in a one-way manner as before, but must guide students to work with textbooks and equipment to acquire knowledge on their own.

Regarding innovation in learning methods: Students do not sit and listen to one-way lectures, but under the guidance of teachers, students proactively work to understand knowledge, work with educational equipment on their own, and apply knowledge to solve real-life situations.

Regarding innovation in assessment and evaluation: Previously, we only evaluated students' final learning outcomes, but now we not only evaluate the final outcomes but also their entire learning process.

* Reporter: Many parents whose children are going to school for the first time are very worried about the situation where some first graders are taking extra classes before the program begins. Does the Ministry of Education and Training know about this and what solutions have they had to overcome this situation?

* Head of Primary Education Department Pham Ngoc Dinh: Previously, some places had a situation of teaching the first grade program ahead of schedule, causing social outrage. We knew about this situation, so during the direction process, the Ministry of Education and Training issued Directive 2325 to rectify the situation of teaching children to read and write before they entered first grade. This is not good for the students themselves because it is not suitable for their age psychology. I have analyzed and stated this in many forums before.

In Directive 2325, we also require schools and local authorities to communicate to parents the harmful effects of studying the first grade curriculum in advance. In addition, each school must commit to ensuring the quality of education so that parents can feel secure. Schools should prioritize selecting experienced teachers to ensure the quality of first grade education. Local authorities must inspect and promptly handle violations. In places where classes have large numbers of students, schools must consult with authorities to gradually supplement facilities to reduce the number of students in each class.

*Reporter: Some teachers and parents are concerned about the new policy of the Ministry of Education and Training that has just been issued: no grading for first graders. So how will we evaluate students?

*Director of Primary Education Pham Ngoc Dinh: Student evaluation can be done by giving points and comments. In practice, for first graders, giving points puts a lot of pressure on students. Firstly, for students who are going to school for the first time and are just learning to write, giving points will create pressure. We will apply regular evaluation, evaluation by comments. Teachers will observe and give comments, encourage students on what they do well and what they do not do well so that parents know clearly about their children, from there both teachers and parents can encourage, promote strengths and provide timely support to help students overcome weaknesses.

Not giving grades does not mean that teachers will have more free time, but rather that they will have to work harder than before. Instead of just grading a piece of work at a certain time, teachers must spend more effort monitoring and observing students to make comments. Student evaluation must cover the entire learning process of each student.

Assessing students without scores is not only done in Vietnam but also in many countries around the world. Countries with advanced education systems such as France, Germany, etc. have less scores in their student reports and more comments, even very specific and meticulous comments...

*Reporter: This year, the number of students entering first grade has increased dramatically, equivalent to the age group born in 2007 (the golden pig age group) starting school. What guidance does the Ministry of Education and Training have for localities to proactively prepare to adapt to this reality?

*Director of Primary Education Pham Ngoc Dinh: This is not something we have just thought about now, but for many years of implementing the Law on Universal Primary Education, localities have been prepared. All children have the right to go to school, and parents and teachers are responsible for encouraging children to go to school.

To ensure learning for children, for universal education levels, the Ministry of Education and Training has instructions on managing the number of students. Six years ago, the Universal Education Steering Committee at the commune and ward levels had to know the number of students who would attend school this year. In that context, we also required planning for staff and school facilities to ensure places for students. Thus, localities had to prepare in advance to ensure places for students. However, due to sudden migration in some places, we have consulted with localities to divide routes, supplement facilities, and transfer teachers to ensure that all children have places to study. Of course, to solve this problem, there must be participation from local authorities.

*Reporter: Thank you very much.

According to VNA - TH