Nghe An builds 3 plans to organize 2 sessions/day of teaching

Confused about organizing 2 sessions/day

Since the 1995-1996 school year, the Ministry of Education and Training has directed and encouraged localities to implement the 2-session/day teaching model associated with the organization of boarding schools at the primary level. On June 13, 2012, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 711/QD-TTg approving the Education Development Strategy 2012-2020. In this decision, the goal is also set: "By 2020, 90% of primary schools and 50% of secondary schools will organize 2-session/day teaching".

Vinh city students participate in a calligraphy contest. Photo: My Ha

Previously, the one-session-a-day teaching model revealed the following shortcomings:There are no conditions to arrange extra classes for Foreign Languages, Information Technology and other educational activities; students' self-study at home (especially grades 1, 2, and 3) is very limited; parents' management, care, and guidance during their self-study time at home are difficult due to being busy with work...

Nationwide, 74.8% of students have studied 2 sessions/day. Of which, Nam Dinh, Bac Ninh, Thai Binh, Hai Duong, Vinh Phuc, Ha Nam provinces have achieved a rate of 100%. In the North Central region, the general rate is 81.7%, of which the highest is Nghe An: 99.5%. followed by Quang Binh: 97.9%, Ha Tinh 92.8%, Thua Thien Hue 85.4%, Quang Tri 78.1%, Thanh Hoa 56.0%.

Teaching 2 sessions/day is considered a decisive factor to achieve the goal of solid universal education. However, up to now, the Ministry of Education and Training has not yet issued legal documents on organizing 2 sessions/day teaching at the primary level. Therefore, teaching 2 sessions/day faces many difficulties and obstacles in directing implementation and each province and city has its own form of application.

Extracurricular activities of Vinh city students. Photo: My Ha

In Nghe An, the implementation of teaching 2 sessions/day was previously carried out according to Decision 1517/QD-UBND.VX dated April 20, 2015 of the Provincial People's Committee and localities based on this to collect additional money to pay overtime wages for teachers. However, this year the province is directing to "consider replacing" Decision 1517, so the implementation is facing many difficulties.

In Quy Hop district, Mr. Ho Binh Minh - Head of the Department of Education and Training said: "In previous years, we taught 2 sessions/day based on the voluntary spirit of students and teachers (teaching overtime). But this year, while the Department is considering a new plan, we temporarily do not organize 2 sessions/day even though the schools have developed a plan."

In Yen Thanh district, after Decision 1517 was suspended, all previous contract teachers in primary schools who were paid from the income from teaching 2 sessions/day had their contracts terminated. For that reason, this year all schools had to reduce the number of periods from 35 to 28 or 30 periods/week (on average, 2/5 days a week have 2 sessions/day).

Mr. Tran Xuan Tinh - Head of the District Education and Training Department also said: At this time, collecting money for teaching 2 sessions/day is against regulations, so the district only organizes it under conditions where teachers allow it. However, this solution is also temporary because the district is seriously lacking teachers, especially English teachers. This also greatly affects the project of teaching the 10-year foreign language program because on average each school only has one teacher, who can take on 1 class/1 period/1 week. Meanwhile, according to regulations, it must be 4 periods/week.

"Beneficial" for parents but "difficult" for the province

The suspension of Decision 1517 has clearly caused difficulties for schools in the 2018-2019 school year, although up to this point schools are still trying and "straining" themselves to implement it in conditions of a lack of teachers and lack of funds to pay.

Regarding this issue, the Department of Education and Training also affirmed: Maintaining two-session teaching/day in primary schools to meet the wishes and needs of parents of primary school students; is an important solution to improve the quality of primary education and ensure the goal of comprehensive education, preparing conditions for implementing innovation in primary school programs and textbooks.

However, the implementation must meet the following conditions: There is a need and desire of parents; The school has facilities to meet the requirements of teaching 2 sessions/day; The number and structure of teachers must be sufficient to teach subjects and organize educational activities according to the regulations of the Primary Education Program;

Regarding funding, the Department is currently developing three options.Option 1:state budget support to ensureGrades 1 and 2: 28 lessons/week; Grades 3: 30 lessons/week; Grades 4 and 5: 32 lessons/week. However, this plan has limitations because the teaching routine of primary schools is disrupted, inconsistent between grades, and affects working hours and pick-up and drop-off times of parents.

Physical education class of students at Dien Bich Primary School (Dien Chau). Photo: My Ha

Option 2:The state budget supports 100% to ensure schools teach 30-32 periods/week.Option 3,The form is similar to option 2 but the funding is from the state budget and mobilizes contributions from parents.

Currently, with these 3 options, the provincial budget support may range from 73.4 billion VND (option 3) to 107.9 billion VND (option 1) and 146.8 billion VND (option 2). The education sector also requested the province to have a plan to arrange enough teachers to organize 2 teaching sessions/day.

These proposed solutions are currently under discussion and must be balanced from the provincial budget. However, if the implementation process is prolonged, it will cause difficulties for schools and affect the rights of students and the quality of teaching in schools.