The curriculum compilers reduced the number of classes after teachers complained that the previous draft curriculum was too heavy for students, especially primary school students.

Headmaster of a primary school in HCM City said not all schools can provide two teaching shifts daily (morning and afternoon). The reduction in the number of  subjects and lessons would help ease pressure on teachers and students.

Pham Thuy Ha, headmaster of Nguyen Van Troi Primary School in HCM City, said the latest draft curriculum is designed to assess students’ abilities and virtues, and thus applauded by the majority of teachers.

She also appreciates the combination of education content in topics and subjects. However, the most important aspect how teachers work are trained in accordance with the new curriculum.

The newly released version of the general education curriculum has been applauded by teachers, who say that it is more explicit and more practical.

Emphasizing the importance of the orientation of caree, the compilers have designed the curriculum to serve that end. 

There are three groups of subjects for high school students to choose – 1) subjects related to social sciences: history, geography, economics education and laws 2) subjects related to natural sciences: physics, chemistry and biology and 3) subjects related to technology and arts: technology, IT (information technology) and arts. 

Students will choose five subjects from the three groups (at least one subject from every group).

Huynh Thanh Phu, headmaster of the Nguyen Du High School in HCM City, believes that the curriculum should be designed according to students’ abilities and tastes, as students have different needs and do not need to learn the same subjects.

However, teachers continue to argue about whether to organize national high school finals. 

In the previous draft, a national examination was not mentioned. The draft said if students complete all subjects and satisfy the requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Training) MOET they will receive the diploma. However, the finals are now once again stipulated in the latest draft.

Nguyen Minh Thuyet, chief editor of the new curriculum, explained that the lack of the exam was contrary to the current Education Law which stipulates that students must attend the high school final exams to obtain a diploma.

Phu also thinks that such a national exam is necessary, because it will assess the ability and effort of every student. However, educators disagree on whether national high-school finals should be abolished.

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Le Van