Lam Hong Lam Thuy from the HCM City Department of Education and Training said only 39 out of 556 primary schools do not offer two-session days, which means a coverage rate of 92.98 percent. For secondary and high schools, the rate is 93 percent. The figures are 93 percent for secondary and high schools.

Two-session education has been a long-standing goal by HCM City authorities to promote comprehensive education, improve quality, and meet parents’ and society’s needs for student management while enhancing life skills education.

To implement this, schools have developed education plans tailored to their teacher workforce, infrastructure, and equipment, aligning with curriculum and textbook reforms.

Enhanced core curriculum and aptitude-based learning

Nguyen Bao Quoc, Deputy Director of the HCM City Department of Education and Training, said when implementing the two-session-per-day program, schools need to have a plan that improves the main curriculum and organizes subjects according to the abilities and talents of students in order to promote their abilities; and enhance teaching to develop foreign language and computer skills.

The second session dedicates no more than half its time to academic teaching, allowing schools to organize other educational activities such as experiential learning, scientific research, STEM education, career orientation, life values, social skills practice, clubs, talent development, and community-based social activities.

Teaching time will not exceed half of the total time of second session, so that schools have time to organize other educational activities for students such as experiential activities, scientific research, STEM education orientation, career guidance, life values, social practice skills, clubs, personal talent development, and local social activities.

Core academic teaching adheres to the Ministry of Education and Training’s (MOET) curriculum, and emphasizes innovative teaching methods, practical application, and hands-on activities. Schools provide tutoring to struggling students and enrichment for high achievers to ensure quality education.

Moreover, it is necessary to have diverse experiential and career-oriented activities to help students develop holistically and align with suitable career paths. 

Schools will increase the number of reading sessions, math reasoning skills practice, English clubs, and STEM/Natural Science clubs based on students’ interests and needs.

Two-session structure

General education comprises 3 levels: primary, secondary and high school.

At the primary level, each day includes seven core non-compulsory academic periods (each period lasts 45 minutes) with four in the morning and three in the afternoon. The timetable ensures a reasonable ratio between teaching content and educational activities, reasonable allocation of time, time of day and school week, suitable to the psychology of primary school students as well as the mobilization and teacher scheduling.

Beyond core lessons, schools offer activities like life skills training and clubs tailored to students’ abilities, ensuring they meet learning goals without overload.

For secondary school level, the total number of teaching periods per week is 37-42 periods, including the teaching program and educational activities according to MOET’s Decision 16/2006 on teaching content and educational activities for the 2 session-per-day regime.

For high school level, the total number of teaching periods is 42-48 periods per week, including the teaching program and educational activities according to Decision 16/2006.

Ha Huu Thach, Principal of Luong The Vinh High School in District 1, HCM City, noted that the second session focuses on developing students’ character and competencies through academic, English, and STEM clubs. 

Students previously spent much time on thematic lesson review. Now, students supplement their knowledge in Physics and Chemistry according to ChatGPT, then teachers guide and answer questions for them.

Challenges: infrastructure and teacher shortages

Every year, the HCM City Department of Education and Training outlines additional fees, varying by education level. There is no limit on the fees, and schools decide how much to collect from students based on their specific conditions.

In general, students have to pay VND150,000-200,000 a month.

The Department of Education and Training said that with two sessions/day teaching, students can meet the requirements and set goals, with high results. Teaching two sessions per day has contributed to improving the quality of education, developing according to qualities and abilities based on a diverse educational environment.

In Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, Phu Nhuan, Can Gio, and Nha Be, 100 percent of students follow two-session-per-day mechanism. However, some districts face challenges with overcrowded secondary schools exceeding regulated class sizes, lower two-session rates, and limited playgrounds, training areas, and libraries, hindering teaching and learning improvements. Annual student increases demand more classrooms, teachers, and staff, but expanding staffing quotas is difficult.

Le Huyen