Dong Khanh - Hai Ba Trung students in traditional long dress

The office of the Thua Thien-Hue provincial People’s Committee on March 12 said that the province’s Chair Phan Ngoc Tho has agreed to restoring the teaching of household arts at high schools in the province on a trial basis.

The pilot teaching will be first implemented at the Hai Ba Trung High School, whose previous name was Dong Khanh Hue School, a well-known name, before it is applied throughout the province.

Prior to that, on March 11, Tho presided over a meeting discussing life skill teaching at general schools with the Hai Ba Trung High School in Hue City. The representatives of the association of former Dong Khanh – Hai Ba Trung’s female students and officials form relevant agencies attended the meeting.

Many former students of Dong Khanh School and former teachers of Hai Ba Trung School said at the meeting that in the past, training in household arts was an outstanding strength of the school.

This was a subject favored by female students which focused on nursing skills, family spending planning, embroidery, sewing and processing of Hue's traditional dishes.

Besides, the lessons also provided knowledge about behavioral culture and styles of Hue women, from the way of speaking to dressing, walking, and communicating with friends, teachers, family and the community.

Therefore, Dong Khanh – Hai Ba Trung’s female students were the pride of Hue’s women.

In modern times, because of education reform and the effects of new living trends, the teaching and learning of household arts at general schools has received less attention.

As a result, many graduates have limited knowledge and skills about households arts and lack knowledge about culinary culture, which affects their lives.

The restoration of the teaching of this subject is "necessary and urgent", said Nguyen Khoa Dieu Huyen, head of the liason committee of Dong Khanh’s former female students, and former deputy headmaster of Hai Ba Trung School.

Tho, after listening to the opinions and considering the current conditions, has agreed to restore the teaching of this subject.

He has assigned the education sector to selective the materials used in the past and coordinate with experts and culinary artists to edit and compile materials for the trial teaching.

“The goal is that after leaving high school, students have to know how to cook some basic Hue dishes, and take care of their family's meals.

“Through the teaching, students will be taught life skills, understanding the nation's culture, historical traditions, preserving the beauty of Hue culinary culture,” Tho said. 

Quang Thanh

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