HCM CITY — Low-performing students in some of HCM City's most popular private high schools are being grouped into classes with special syllabuses or asked to transfer to other schools in order to maintain high graduation rates, according to teachers, school principals and students. School principals said parents often measured the quality of a private school by its graduation rate. Kim Khanh (not her real name) transferred to the private Huu Hau High School in the city's Tan Binh District in December because of her poor exam results. Nervous "My previous school asked low-performing students to either apply to another school or attend special classes with more weekly sessions at double the normal school fee," she said. "I felt very nervous about the sudden transfer to other schools with strange syllabus, teachers and friends," she said, adding that she had studied at four schools from grades 10 to 12. Nguyen Tuan Hai, owner of the Huu Hau High School, said his school had received … [Read more...] about Private high schools cull low performers to boost pass rates
Popularity in high school
History seems to be losing appeal at high schools
VietNamNet Bridge – Low history marks scored by this year's entrance exam candidates might reflect a gradual watering down of the subject as viewed by modern society, government officials, historians, teachers and students said. Much like every year, the publishing of 2011 university entrance exam results has heated up debate on the subject of history, in which most universities saw a mere 0-3.5 per cent of applicants score more than average (5/10). This year's exam papers have received mixed reviews. On the one hand, many students found the papers difficult and confusing. Tran Thanh Hang, said that two out of every five questions did not identify the events referred to, leaving her and many others uncertain of what was required of them. According to Khuat Duy Dung, a history teacher at Ha Noi - Amsterdam High School, the range of skills tested by the papers was limited to mainly narration and explanation, which did not necessarily encourage … [Read more...] about History seems to be losing appeal at high schools
High school students thirsty for career information
VietNamNet Bridge – When asked what they are taught in the career guidance curriculum, most of 10th graders kept… quiet. No answer could be given by 11th and 12th graders as well. The Ministry of Education and Training asked high schools to carry out career guidance curriculum since 2006, emphasizing the importance of career education. Career guidance gives more information to parents and students about career opportunities, thus helping them choose the careers suitable to their ability, health and hobbies. Students can draw up long term plan to follow to obtain their goals. If they exactly know what study majors they would follow, they would be able to prepare themselves soon to get adapted to the new circumstances. However, though recognizing the importance of career education, no school has paid appropriate attention to the work. In general, the career guidance hours are assigned to head teachers, or the teachers, who have few teaching hours. Therefore, no one … [Read more...] about High school students thirsty for career information
High school students in large cities warned about psychological stress
VietNamNet Bridge – Scientists say that excessive study could be the cause of high school students’ mental health problems. The conclusion has been made by a group of scientists from Hue City Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Queensland Technology University and the Ministry of Education and Training after they conducted a survey of 1,600 high school students. The scientists focused on the students’ daily workload and analyzed the relation between extra study and the symptoms of depression of students in Hanoi, Thua Thien-Hue province and Can Tho. Professor Michael P. Dunne noted that extra private tutoring lessons and after-school lessons at learning centers is very popular in Asian countries. He noted that many Vietnamese parents send their children to extra classes when they are “kindergarten students”, noting that a “private tutoring industry” has taken shape in Vietnam. … [Read more...] about High school students in large cities warned about psychological stress
High-school students perform classical music on book street
High-school students perform classical music on book streetHoang The Phong Members of the “Classics On The Go” Group perform on Nguyen Van Binh book street in downtown HCMC on Sunday A group of high-school students who are members of the “Classics On The Go” Group on August 6 staged a classical music performance on Nguyen Van Binh book street in downtown HCMC. Leader/founder of Classics On The Go Quach Nguyen Minh Anh, a 12th grader of Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted in District 1, HCMC told the Daily that the non-profit group was established in the summer last year to connect high school students in the city and those having passion for music, especially classical music. “I came up with the idea of launching the group to stage interesting and lively classical music performances to serve the public as it is commonly thought this genre of music is boring and tedious,” Anh said. “The group’s … [Read more...] about High-school students perform classical music on book street