In order to gradually improve the quality of comprehensive education, recently, the Education and Training Department of Son La province has piloted the model of studying 2 sessions/day and 5 days/week at a number of educational institutions. Records in Thuan Chau district show that this model not only creates initiative in teaching and learning, but also receives positive consensus from teachers, parents and students.

As one of the first units to pilot the program, Ninh Thuan Primary and Secondary School quickly started implementing it at the end of March. With nearly 290 secondary school students, the school has proactively developed a suitable plan, flexibly arranging the timetable to ensure the quality of study and activities.

Mr. UNG VAN KIEN, Principal of Ninh Thuan Primary and Secondary School, Thuan Chau, Son La: “Through the implementation process, although it has only been 2 weeks, the results are basically quite positive. The school has fully prepared the facilities, prepared the teaching plan and teaching 2 sessions/day will help create a better learning routine for students, reduce the need to teach period 5 in hot summer weather and also arrange additional review content for students in the afternoons.”

QUANG DUY HAO, grade 7B, Ninh Thuan Primary and Secondary School, Thuan Chau, Son La: “Studying 5 days a week, I get Saturday and Sunday off, which gives me time to rest, play and do the things I love. On weekends, I can visit my grandparents, help my parents with housework and learn more about my favorite subjects like drawing and English.”

At Chu Van An Secondary School, the implementation is well prepared, from facilities, teaching staff to flexible study schedules. The reasonable allocation of study time between sessions helps improve the effectiveness of knowledge acquisition for students.

Teacher NGUYEN THI HOA, Chu Van An Secondary School, Thuan Chau, Son La: “Compared to the previous 6-session study, instead of 5-day study, for me as a teacher, I don’t think there is much of a change. If we study 6 sessions, we have the whole afternoon to accompany the students in activities and have time to prepare lessons for the next day. If we study 5 days, we can go home early in the morning, have a long lunch break, and in the afternoon, students and teachers will be more alert for the second class and then still have time to participate in activities with the students.”

According to the Department of Education and Training of Thuan Chau district, there are currently 7 junior high schools participating in the pilot project. After 2 weeks of implementation, the model is considered suitable for local conditions and has brought about positive changes.

Mr. GIANG MINH CANH, Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Training of Thuan Chau district, Son La: "Implementing the pilot teaching 5 days/week, in the district, after checking, there were 19 units with junior high school level in the district registered for the pilot, then the Department selected enough areas, the whole district started the pilot from April 1 at 7 units. After 2 weeks of implementation, basically the schools have also implemented well, there has been no content reflecting on difficulties or major problems in implementing 2 sessions/day."

Rearranging study time in a scientific and flexible manner not only helps reduce pressure but also opens up opportunities for students to develop their comprehensive capacity and qualities. This is also a premise for the education sector to continue expanding effective learning models, suitable to the reality of each locality./.

Performed by: Duy Thai