Dr. Do Van Giang: Nghe An excels in 'streaming' but needs to change its perspective on student orientation

Dr. Do Van Giang - Deputy Director of the Department of Formal Training, General Department of Vocational Education, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. Photo: Duc Anh

This is also the basis for contributing to the supply of human resources with occupational structures and training levels suitable to the needs of the economy and integration trends in the new period.

To better understand this issue, Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Dr. Do Van Giang - Deputy Director of the Department of Formal Training, General Department of Vocational Education, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs.

PV:Sir, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has just organized a Career Counseling Day for Vocational Education Admissions in Nghe An. As a member of the organizing committee, what do you expect from this program?

Dr. Do Van Giang:In the past 2 years, in preparation for the enrollment season, the General Department of Vocational Education, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs has organized many career counseling sessions and this is the first time the program has been held in Nghe An. Through this program, we hope to get closer to junior high and high schools to accelerate the streaming according to Directive No. 10 of the Secretariat and Decision 522 of the Prime Minister on the implementation of the Project "Career education and orientation of student streaming in general education for the period 2018 - 2025". Through this program, we want to create a positive effect to change people's awareness of vocational training, including students in grades 9 and 12.

Career counseling and recruitment day for vocational education in Nghe An. Photo: Duc Anh

PV:Currently, the Law on Education (amended) has new policies on career orientation in education. Can you explain more clearly the advantages of vocational training today?

Dr. Do Van Giang:In fact, the advantage of vocational training has existed for a long time, not after the Law on Education (amended) in 2019. However, the old regulations were issued since 2010, so many contents are no longer suitable for the new context. The new regulations will be suitable for the new situation to facilitate educational institutions and students. The Law on Education (amended) also clearly states the goal of career guidance in general schools, which is to enhance experience, change training methods and approaches so that students can form initial vocational skills according to the wishes of the majority of parents and students.

PV:As you have analyzed, if career guidance is effective, vocational students will have many advantages. However, the whole country in general and especially Nghe An people still tend to want their children to go to university, which leads to unreasonable labor structure, especially the situation of "too many teachers, not enough workers"?

Dr. Do Van Giang:University is not the only way for students to grow up, establish themselves and start a career. Meanwhile, to meet the future skills of the world, workers must be fully equipped with essential skills from vocational skills, foreign languages, and creative thinking. In other words, whatever they learn at any level must satisfy the job position, according to the requirements of businesses. From this reality, in the coming years, vocational training needs to be focused on more because 70% of vocational training programs will be practical. Therefore, we hope that in the coming time, localities will have to step up propaganda and consultation so that people can see the benefits of vocational training.

If career guidance is effective, vocational students will have many advantages. Photo: Duc Anh

PV:In recent years, Nghe An has done quite well in the streamlining work with the rate of secondary school students being from 20-25% and high school students being nearly 40%. However, in the process of implementing the streamlining, there are still some incomplete perceptions such as only students with average, weak, and poor academic performance go to vocational training instead of vocational training voluntarily. So, in your opinion, is this streamlining in line with the nature and purpose set forth by the Government and if we continue to implement streamlining in this form, will we be able to have a highly qualified workforce?

Dr. Do Van Giang:Currently, Nghe An is one of the leading provinces in implementing the streamlining and career guidance work according to the Prime Minister's Streamlining Project. However, we must also acknowledge the fact that there are facilities that often direct weak and poor students to streamlining and we need time to change this perspective.

At this time, before 9th graders start to register for admission to 10th grade, schools have stepped up propaganda work to guide students in choosing schools and careers. Photo: Duc Anh

In fact, there are students who are weak in terms of knowledge acquisition but they have their own abilities to be creative and passionate in vocational training. Therefore, in the process of streamlining, we need to classify the subjects to orient them fully and objectively. For example, in Japan, students in the stream are the "elite" in training high-quality workers. Currently in Vietnam, we are also aiming to train streamed students with high vocational skills so that they have enough capacity to meet the high demands of society.

PV:So, in your opinion, what solutions do we need to effectively stream students?

Dr. Do Van Giang:First of all, to stream, we must comply with the regulations of the Party and the State. Besides, we need to strengthen propaganda work and do a good job of streaming from the Central to the local level. Through that, people will understand and change their awareness and thinking, and learners will stream themselves to suit the conditions and circumstances.

Currently, the 9+ model has been implemented in a number of vocational training institutions and is considered an effective direction in removing the bottleneck of streaming in Vietnam and I hope that the success of the program will change the perception of parents and students about streaming. Photo: Duc Anh

In addition, in their roles, the Department of Education and Training as well as the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs must also coordinate to have appropriate career counseling programs, increasing the number of students going to experience careers at vocational training institutions. Since 2019, the Prime Minister has also issued a directive and assigned the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to pilot the 9+ model project following Japan's Kosen training model. This is a parallel training model of vocational training and cultural studies after students graduate from grade 9 and can continue to transfer to college, shortening the training time. Currently, the 9+ model has been implemented in a number of vocational training institutions and is considered an effective direction in removing the bottleneck of streaming in Vietnam and I hope the success of the program will change the perception of parents and students about streaming.

PV:Currently, students at both secondary and high school levels are in the process of completing their applications for admission to grade 10 or to universities and colleges. Having worked in the field of consulting and admission for many years, what advice do you have for parents and students at this important “threshold”?

Dr. Do Van Giang:Before each exam season, I understand that parents are very worried about their children. However, instead of giving different directions, parents should be close to and share with their children to understand their wishes. Guide your children to follow their passions and interests and help them see that if they make the right choice, they will be successful in the future.

Dr. Do Van Giang. Photo: Duc Anh

As for students, they also need to accumulate basic knowledge; prepare their health, create a good mindset and have determination so that no matter what the circumstances, they can adapt and fulfill their wishes.

PV:Thank you!