Nghe An: Schools have difficulty in converting elective subjects and study clusters for 10th grade students

Many students wish to change elective subjects.

Le Thi Khanh An used to study at a school in Nghi Loc district. Due to personal circumstances, after finishing the first semester, she transferred to Le Viet Thuat High School (Vinh City). The transfer procedure was not too difficult, but now, even though it has been nearly a month since the second semester, this female student is still confused because she has to study new subjects and supplement her knowledge to be eligible for official review of her academic results.

Previously, when studying in Nghi Loc, in addition to the compulsory subjects according to the new General Education Program ofGrade 10In addition to Literature, Mathematics, Foreign Languages, Physical Education, National Defense and Security Education, Experiential Activities, Career Guidance, Local Education and History, I registered for additional elective subjects: Chemistry, Geography, Civic Education and Technology.

Experiential learning hour of 10th grade students at Le Viet Thuat High School. Photo: NTCC

When transferring to a new school, because the school did not have the above combination, Khanh Anh was forced to choose a combination of Geography, Civic Education, Technology and Informatics. Choosing a different subject forced Khanh An to write an application and commit to comply with the regulations and register to study a new subject, Informatics, to keep up with the program. During that time, she will complete the knowledge requirements of the subjects herself to be recognized by the school as meeting the requirements before officially changing the chosen subject to continue studying in grade 11.

At the end of the first semester, Le Viet Thuat High School had 4 students from other schools requesting to transfer, including 1 student transferred from the South. In addition, 12 other students in the school also requested to transfer classes, which means changing the groups they study, possibly from the Natural Science group to the Social Science group, or vice versa.

Changing elective subjects will cause difficulties for many students. Photo: My Ha

According to teacher Hoang Minh Luong - Principal of Le Viet Thuat High School: Previously, changing classes and schools was normal and each school would arrange suitable classes for students. But now it is more difficult because according to the new general education program, students in different classes have different elective subjects. Therefore, if they request to change classes, students will not only have a gap in knowledge for 1 semester, but also have difficulty getting the final score for subjects they have not studied in the first semester.

Not only students but also schools are facing difficulties. According to the guidance issued by the Ministry of Education and Training in mid-January 2023, when transferring grades or schools, in addition to the student's commitment to self-supplement knowledge, the school must have appropriate solutions to supplement knowledge for students to meet the requirements according to the regulations of the subject.

The problem is that schools have difficulty arranging supplementary teachers because teachers are also involved in arranging their own teaching periods and hours. In our school, students and parents are currently committed to supplementing their knowledge and then will be tested and graded according to regulations.

Teacher Hoang Minh Luong - Principal of Le Viet Thuat High School (Vinh City)

At Dien Chau 3 High School, at the end of the first semester, through a survey, 22 10th grade students applied to change their elective subjects and change their block. However, none of these cases have been considered because they are stuck with the guiding documents. Meanwhile, the school has also had 5 students transfer from other schools and face similar situations as Le Viet Thuat High School (Vinh City).

Sharing about this, teacher Cao Thi Hai An - Vice Principal of Dien Chau 3 High School said: Identifying the difficulties in choosing elective subjects, from the beginning of the school year, the school has seriously consulted students and parents on choosing subjects and groups. Students have also changed groups at least 3 times in the first month of the first semester. However, at this time, after a semester, there are still students who are not confident in their choices and ask to change their groups.

An extracurricular class of students at Dien Chau 3 High School. Photo: NTCC

Difficulty in consulting and guidance

The change of class is related to the change of elective subjects because according to the new General Education Program, in addition to compulsory subjects, students can register for other subjects. During the implementation process, due to the different teaching staff of different schools, although it is called an "elective" subject, students are guided to register for subjects that are suitable for the arrangement of teachers of the schools.

In reality, schools are currently arranging in a trend of combining Natural Science subjects, combining Social Science subjects and a class in the direction of block D. Therefore, if students change blocks, change classes or change schools, they will have to change many subjects.

Class time of 10th grade students at Ethnic Minority Boarding High School No. 2. Photo: My Ha

Explaining the reason why many students want to change their major, many teachers said that they are confused about the organization of the Graduation Exams and University Entrance Exams in the next 2 years.

Sharing about this, teacher Cao Thi Hai An - Vice Principal of Dien Chau 3 High School added: For a long time, we often say "what you study, what you take the test". But in fact, students and parents are following the direction of "what you study, what you take the test". However, with this new General Education Program, the Ministry of Education and Training has not yet proposed any form of exam for students when they complete the program. Therefore, students do not know what to study, which subjects to take the appropriate exam. Maybe they are currently studying Social Sciences because the school they like is currently enrolling students in this group. But in the next 2 years, a complete change can happen and students will be passive. In my opinion, the Ministry of Education and Training needs to soon come up with an exam plan so that both students and schools can be proactive in organizing teaching and advising and orienting students.

It is understandable that students are confused, especially when many students are currently choosing based on their emotions. Therefore, in order to minimize the need for students to change classes, schools need to carefully advise students from the beginning of the school year based on their 10th grade exam scores and other subjects from middle school. In addition, the placement of students also needs to be considered in "putting them in the right position" so that they can choose a class that suits their abilities and must be arranged with good teachers so that parents no longer have to worry about the quality of teaching.

Teacher Nguyen Dau Truong - Principal of Ethnic Minority Boarding High School No. 2

On January 6, 2023, the Ministry of Education and Training issued Document No. 68/BGD DT - GDTrH on guidelines for converting elective subjects and clusters of study topics at high school level. This is considered a policy that is consistent with the wishes of parents and students and is suitable for the current context. The problem is that this document does not have specific instructions and is still general, so schools are facing difficulties in the implementation process.

Through the discussion, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Head of Secondary Education Department - Department of Education and Training also said: Currently, the Department has grasped the information and compiled the number of students requesting to change subjects from schools. This week, the Department of Education and Training will hold a core conference, a high school professional meeting to find appropriate solutions to facilitate the school in the implementation process while still ensuring the rights and creating easy conditions for students.

According to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training: Students' choice of subjects and clusters of study topics must remain stable until the end of grade 12. In special cases, students who wish to change their chosen subjects and clusters of study topics must do so at the end of the school year to ensure the implementation of the school's educational plan, regulations on testing, assessment and time for students to supplement knowledge and skills. The principal shall consider and decide to allow students who wish to change their chosen subjects and clusters of study topics in accordance with the school's organizational capacity. Students who wish and are approved by the school to change their chosen subjects and clusters of study topics must have a commitment to self-supplement knowledge of the new subject program and new clusters of study topics in the previous class (with confirmation of consent and commitment from the student's parents or guardians) to be able to continue studying the new subject and new clusters of study topics in the next class. The school has appropriate solutions to support students in supplementing knowledge and skills of new subjects and new clusters of learning topics; organizing tests and assessments of students' self-supplementation of knowledge and skills according to the content and requirements that need to be met as prescribed in the subject program to ensure that students have enough capacity to continue studying new subjects and new clusters of learning topics in the next class.