VietNamNet Bridge - The argument about whether to continue the VNEN teaching model has resurfaced after the World Bank released a report, affirming the great advantages of the model, and HCMC’s decision to continue the model at local schools.

The World Bank has made public the results of a study on the impact of VNEN on Vietnamese students.

The report says the VNEN application has had an impact on students’ cognitive ability and non-cognitive skills. The average level of impact is 0.16 in Vietnamese language, 0.18 in math and 0.41 in non-cognitive skills.

For non-perception skills, the students taught under VNEN have seen behavioral and relationship skills improve. These skills include taking responsibility for personal belongings, managing time and keeping promises.

VNEN students also have an advantage in social skills. They have self-confidence and I show to express themselves confidently, showing sympathy towards friends or caring for siblings/friends, and keeping good relations with other children.

VNEN students are more developed in terms of moral values, including being more sensitive to the emotional needs of others, respecting older people, and helping with friends in class activities.

The report also pointed out that the development of non-perception skills does not negatively affect the cognitive skills of VNEN students. They have better or equal grades in Math and Vietnamese language tests. 

With great advantages, VNEN has been applauded by Vietnamese parents. 85 percent of polled parents who know about the model showed their support for it.

The World Bank’s report with confirmation about Vietnamese parents’ support of VNEN has stirred up the public because local newspapers in recent months reported strong opposition by parents against the model.

Pham Thi Ly, a renowned educator, in an interview with VietNamNet, said she was disappointed about the report because it did not mention the fact that VNEN is facing strong opposition in nine out of 53 provinces and cities.

“I have been told that the protesters are just outliers, not the majority of parents. But I don’t think 9 of 53 provinces and cities is a too small of a figure,” Ly said.

“I cannot verify the figure about 85 percent of parents supporting the model, so I cannot say it is true or false. But assuming those numbers are true, it means that 15 percent of parents do not support VNEN. And we cannot neglect the 15 percent as if it doesn’t exist,” she said.

Teacher Nguyen Nguyen, in an article on Giao Duc Viet Nam, noted that the World Bank’s report showed figures which cannot be verified. It did not show the names of schools, localities, teachers, parents and students who support the model.

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