As students and parents seek more tailored educational options, vocational training schools are gaining popularity among recent junior secondary school graduates.

Hồ Long, a 16-year-old resident of District 1 in HCM CIty, is one such student.

Currently attending a vocational college in the city, Long is pursuing an intermediate-level education in information technology.

In line with other public high schools, Long's schedule requires him to attend classes six days a week.

From Monday to Friday mornings, at least, his schedule looks like any other high school student - mathematics, literature, physics, chemistry, biology, history, and geography.

“Compared to other students at high schools, I study five less subjects," said Long. "Instead, I learn more about information technology and English every afternoon and on Saturday.”

Long concurrently studies a high school curriculum and an apprenticeship at the school.

In the evening, he also has time to help his parents with housework.

This time last year, when Long was in the second semester of 9th grade, he and his family were advised by teachers to look at vocational training after graduating from junior secondary school.

At first, Tám Hoa, 48, Long’s mother, did not agree. She wanted Long to enter a normal public high school because she thought that school would be better for Long.

But after being persuaded by teachers, she realised that vocational training school was more suitable to Long’s abilities.

Hoa said that Long's studying ability was at an average level, making his chances of succeeding at a public high school quite difficult.

Long could apply to a private or semi-public high school but did not want to.

Instead, if he goes to a vocational training school, Long still learns the high school curriculum while studying for a job at the same time.

The State supports students at vocational schools with tuition fees.

After obtaining the school’s certificate, Long needs only one or one year and a half to further study at a college and the next 1.5-2 years to study university level.

He also has the opportunity to be recruited into companies working with the vocational school.

As well as Long's family, many other parents are gradually changing their views regarding vocational training.

Ngô Văn Tuyên, head of the Bình Tân District Department of Education and Training in HCM City, said that every year, hundreds of students in the district choose to learn at vocational training schools after graduating from junior secondary schools.

Some of them want to let their children learn a trade from the beginning of 9th grade, while others are not so good at studying, so they want to learn vocational skills.

Every year, many junior secondary schools cooperate with the municipal Department of Education and Training and vocational schools to provide vocational advice to students.

Tuyên said that parents should not force their children to enter a high school if it is unsuitable to their children's wishes or abilities.

It easily leads to an inferiority complex when they can't keep up with their peers' learning abilities, and they get bored before dropping out of school.

Phạm Thị Lệ Hằng, head of the Hà Đông District Department of Education and Training in Hà Nội, said: "Currently, many parents and students are gradually changing their thinking. They do not hesitate to register for vocational training schools instead of entering high schools at all costs."

Hà Đông District has 22 junior secondary schools with about 5,000 students.

Every year, about 60-70 per cent of them enter public high schools, about 20 per cent enter private high schools, and 8-10 per cent, which equals about 300-500 students, enter vocational training schools.

To get the results, Hằng said, career counselling and guidance are carried out from the 6th grade.

Schools often let students visit and experience craft villages and factories.

“Learning an apprenticeship does not mean those students are bad," said Hằng. "Many students, despite their strong studying ability, still desire to learn a trade because they love that profession. In parallel with vocational training, they still learn high school knowledge, take the graduation exam and get normal qualifications. In addition, they are granted vocational qualifications."

Assessing more about the advantages of vocational training, Hằng said that many policies encouraged secondary school graduates to attend vocational training, such as free tuition.

Vocational schools have many attractive courses and well-organised training programmes, leading students to job opportunities after graduation.

Hoàng Thị Hồng, a teacher at the Bình Phước Province Regular Education Centre, said that now many parents realise that studying at vocational training schools is the best choice for their children.

This school year, the centre enrolled 200 students on two majors, including accounting and electrical engineering. — VNS