Too much homework and lack of practice are the most common problems students complained about at a forum with educators in Ho Chi Minh City.
Students express opinions on schools matters
At a dialogue with heads of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training (HCMC DET) on March 28, many students insisted the current curriculum wasted valuable time.
Phan Quoc Tri, a grade 12 student said that students only have an average of two or three classes for a short story or extract from a longer novel. But in reality, it would take four or six classes for students to fully understand it. “History lessons just keep repeating themselves. There’s not much change from primary to high school. I think we should study history to understand the key events, not to remember trivial numbers,” he said.
Le Tran Thanh Truc, a student at Tran Hung Dao High School said, “We only study English grammar in classes. Whoever wants to practice must take lessons at language centres. What do we study English for if we can’t use it in reality?”
At the meeting, students expressed the wish to see less homework but increased extracurricular activities and practical skills.
“Living skills are really important for us and should be developed to become a subject in schools,” another student said.
Concerning the teenage life, Minh Thuy, student at Cu Chi High School said sex education and personal development studies were impractical in its current form. “We are taught about the general ideas. But our questions often receive ambiguous replies, some even went unanswered.”
Nguyen Huy Hiep, a student at Chu Van An Continuing Education Centre said, “We’re like photocopy machines. Students need more educational activities than just theory lessons.”
Nguyen Hoai Chuong, Deputy Director of the HCMC DET admitted that student concerns were legitimate worries. Le Hong Son, Director of the municipal DET said he would try and create a more favourable educational environment.