Innovation in the way of teaching History: Integration or division?

After a series of discussions, the Ministry of Education and Training said it would reconsider separating History. Meanwhile, many scientists believe that in addition to integrating it at lower levels, it should be divided into two parts, compulsory for Vietnamese History and optional for World History in high school.

Need to reorganize to be more attractive

Giving comments on the comprehensive general education program, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuan, Principal of To Hoang Secondary School, said that if History is integrated with Literature or Geography to teach, it will reduce the workload for students.

In response to concerns that students will not study History if it is an elective subject or if it is only scattered in other subjects, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuan said that this issue must be viewed from many sides. When students do not choose History, teachers who teach this subject must review their teaching methods, schools must review their organization methods, and textbooks must be designed to stimulate students. Therefore, with the new program, History should be designed in a way that allows students to play the role of historians, which students will really like.

It is necessary to innovate the way of teaching History to create interest for students.

Associate Professor Dr. Nghiem Dinh Vy - former Deputy Head of the Central Committee for Science and Education - said that at primary and secondary school levels, integrating History into other subjects is appropriate, in line with the direction of educational innovation. "We are thinking and considering transferring historical knowledge into thematic stories such as traveling through ancient capitals, traveling on rivers or the name of Vietnam through the ages... This is a form of integrating knowledge of History, Geography, Civic Education... suitable for primary school students and possibly secondary school students" - Associate Professor Nghiem Dinh Vy commented.

However, the integration of this subject at high school level, according to Associate Professor Nghiem Dinh Vy, must be carefully considered. “History at this level includes 4 parts: Elective History for students who go into social sciences; History is integrated into natural sciences for students who choose the natural sciences branch; History is also integrated into the subject of Citizenship and Fatherland and students also encounter this subject in elective topics. With the content of 4 parts like that, it will overlap and destroy the subject of History. Moreover, Professor Phan Huy Le also analyzed that National Security, Civic Education and History are 3 very different subjects, which cannot be integrated into the subject of Citizenship and Fatherland” - Associate Professor Nghiem Dinh Vy analyzed.

Continue to listen to the opinions of the whole society

According to Mr. Do Ngoc Thong, Deputy Director of the Department of Secondary Education, Ministry of Education and Training, separating History will not be able to implement the direction of reducing compulsory subjects and increasing elective subjects. Meanwhile, in many countries, students study elective subjects. According to Mr. Do Ngoc Thong, history education is not only in History, but Literature, Geography, Ethics, Civics, and Music also have historical education significance. "Our form of history education should be innovated, guiding students to return to their roots, to visit historical sites. We cannot equate history education with just teaching history" - Mr. Do Ngoc Thong emphasized.

Associate Professor Dr. Nghiem Dinh Vy believes that if integration is to be carried out in the true sense, it must have a very valid scientific and practical basis, and needs to be discussed carefully. “Moreover, in the current situation, it is important to educate the younger generation about national spirit and to promote patriotism. Looking at other countries, we see that in the US, after the September 11 event, History is a compulsory subject, and so is Canada. In 25 European countries, up to 20 countries have stipulated that History is a compulsory subject. If the Ministry of Education and Training classifies History as an elective subject, students will ignore it because this subject does not solve the problem of employment after graduation,” said Associate Professor Dr. Nghiem Dinh Vy.

To resolve the request to reduce compulsory subjects and increase elective subjects, Associate Professor Dr. Nghiem Dinh Vy proposed that History could be divided into two parts, in which Vietnamese History is compulsory and World History is elective. Mr. Do Ngoc Thong said that the Ministry of Education and Training is still wondering whether History is combined with Citizenship and Fatherland, and is not sure whether it is reasonable or not. Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training will continue to listen to the opinions of the whole society to contribute to the overall general education program. If reasonable, the Ministry of Education and Training will separate History into a separate subject.

National Assembly Deputy Duong Trung Quoc, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Historical Science Association: I am not assured.

National Assembly Delegate Duong Trung Quoc.

“Regarding the plan to integrate History with Civic Education and National Security and Defense into a new subject called Citizenship and the Fatherland, I have advised the Ministry of Education and Training to be extremely cautious. The Ministry of Education and Training has not yet thoroughly explained the goal of “integration”. This is just an idea without any experiment, curriculum, or basic direction.

I share the desire of the Ministry of Education and Training to find a good solution, but not by eliminating a clearly defined subject. The Ministry's approach makes me uneasy. In the context of the current complicated situation, more than ever, we cannot forget history, because losing history means losing ourselves."

Dr. Trinh Ngoc Thach, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescents and Children: It is difficult to encourage students to love History.

Dr. Trinh Ngoc Thach.

“We have not received any proposal or program to “integrate” History with other subjects from the Ministry of Education and Training. However, if History is integrated with subjects that are not related to history, it will make things difficult for teachers and will not encourage students to enjoy studying this subject more.

Integrating subjects must be based on the fact that they are close and easily connected. Integrating History with Civic Education or National Defense and Security is not very suitable. It is better to integrate according to the groups that we have long defined, for example the humanities group (history, literature) will be more suitable.

According to ANTĐ