The province thoroughly prepare for online teaching

There are now only two weeks left to begin the new school year 2021-2022. Amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, provincial Department of Education and Training developed a plan to instruct educational training establishments and institutions to teach and learn online at the beginning of new school year to prevent and control the epidemic. Dr. Nguyen Thi Nhat Hang, Director of provincial Education and Training Department, answered some questions about planing for teaching and learning in the province amid the Covid-19.

In the school year 2021-2022, the education training branch actively developed plans and plans for teaching and learning in accordance with the pandemic conditions in the province. In photo: Students of Chu Van An Junior High School in Thu Dau Mot City implement 5K recommendations during their class time at school in the 2020-2021 school year.

- At the moment, the Covid-19 wave in the province has not subsided, so how does the education and training branch organize teaching and learning activities to assure both academic tasks and disease prevention control?

- Based on the actual Covid-19 situation in the province, Provincial Department of Education and Training developed plans to cope with the complicated and unpredictable developments of the pandemic and draft guidelines for educational training establishments and institutions based on the actual situation to promptly implement the teaching and learning plan for the 2021-2022 school year. Accordingly, the department has developed four plans applied to "green zones", "yellow zones", "orange zones" and "red zones", corresponding to levels of "new normal", "risk", " high risk” and “very high risk” conditions.

Online and offline lessons will be implemented. However, due to the Covid-19 wave in the province, 198 schools were requisitioned as concentrated medical isolation zones. Department of Education and Training proposed and was allowed to organize online classes in the first two months of the new school year, namely September and October. Provincial Party Committee also agreed with the proposal of the department not to collect tuition fees for the first semester of the 2021-2022 school year at public educational establishments; no increase of tuition fees at non-public educational establishments.

- How did the department direct schools to set up online teaching plans?

- Department of Education and Training directed Offices of Education and Training to give instructions to affiliated schools; high schools; continuing education - vocational centers of districts, towns and cities; provincial center for continuing education and professional development to proactively develop flexible and timely action plans in accordance with disease situation in their locality and area.

In particular, online teaching and learning must be applied regularly to increase learning time for students throughout the school year; schools must make the most of the "golden time" of offline classes to organize and arrange activities really effectively. The department also asked educational institutions to assure the implementation of the general education program, preschool education program and the general education program of 2018 through the development and implementation of school plans in accordance with practical conditions.

A recent survey shows that currently some students, who are children of workers in industrial zones, families in rural areas, do not have necessary equipment and devices to participate in online learning. Therefore, Department of Education and Training directed educational training institutions to make the most of the "golden time" of offline classes to supplement students, who are facing difficulties and cannot attend online classes.

- At preschool level, children are so young, will online learning be implemented, ma'am?

- For the preschool level, due to psycho-physiological characteristics of children, online learning shall not be implemented. Online lessons of preschool education program are prepared by preschools must be brief and clear, and include video clips to guide parents through child rearing, care and education at home. In addition, preschools need to provide parents with materials, educational channels of central and local radio and television stations, etc., for parents to apply at home.

- For primary school students, how does online teaching be carried out, especially for students of first and second grades using new textbooks this year?

- Primary school students are not able to actively use information technology devices for online learning, and still depend on their parents, hence the department directed schools to cooperate well with parents to exchange plans and appropriate timetables. Online lessons mainly focus on reviewing knowledge to prepare for the new school year, it is necessary to include some learning games to create a fun atmosphere, avoid bore and overload for students. Especially for first and second grades, children's concentration time on lesson is not much, so online classes should not exceed 35 minutes/class, no more than 2 classes/half-day session and 3 sessions/week. Schools mainly send video clips to instruct parents on preparing for their children to learn; how to prepare students for online learning and short lessons of phonics, rhymes, etc., so that parents can assist their children's learning.

The new school year 2021-2022 is approaching. Amid the Covid-19, education training branch has developed plans to organize teaching activities in accordance with the actual situation. In the first two months of the new school year, Department of Education and Training will instruct schools to teach online for students. Therefore, I hope parents could pay attention, remind and create favorable conditions for their children in the learning process. sStudents need to actively participate in learning activities to consolidate their knowledge and ensure this school year's program goals, which are health safety, completion of the education program, and quality assurance.

- Thank you, ma'am!

Reported by Hong Thai - Translated by Ngoc Huynh