HCM CITY — A model of advanced schools in which students learn soft skills, English and computer skills in a modern facility has been expanded to nine more public schools after approval by the HCM City People’s Committee.

The schools include four primary schools: Bàu Sen, Võ Thị Sáu, Lê Đức Thọ and Tân Sơn Nhì; two kindergartens: Hoa Đào and Anh Đào; and three secondary schools: Lý Thánh Tông, Nguyễn Chí Thanh and Phan Văn Trị. They are located in districts 5, 8, 12, Gò Vấp and Tân Phú.

The advanced model was implemented in 24 public schools in the last academic year.

Students at Nguyễn Hiền, Nguyễn Du and Lê Quý Đôn high schools have benefited from the model for the last 10 years.

These schools closely follow the Ministry of Education and Training’s training programme which focuses on reducing academic theory and increasing the number of classes to develop students’ aptitudes, soft skills and English.

At the kindergarten level, for instance, there are two additional classes develop 10 motor skills, two English classes with native English-speaking teachers, and outdoor activities during the school year.

Primary students in the advanced model study subjects in the curriculum from the Ministry of Education and Training in the morning, and soft skills and aptitude in the afternoon.

Chung Minh Bảo, principal of Châu Văn Liêm Primary School in District 6, told the Giáo Dục Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh (HCM City Education) newspaper that the school must meet national standards of education accreditation and have modern facilities for teaching and learning.

The school’s teachers also must be placed above the Ministry of Education and Training’s standards, while the number of students in each classroom is no more than 30.

Hà Hữu Thạch, principal at Lê Quý Đôn High School in District 3, which has carried out the model for 10 years, said the school’s students were good at English and had good skills which would help them if they studied abroad.

The school is one of the country’s top schools with students who have high scores on the national high school graduation exam.

Students at the school benefit from advanced methodologies, he said, adding that the school has co-operated with others in the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Its teachers have been sent to other countries to update their knowledge and methodologies, while the students have experience in studying in other countries in spring and summer.

Many parents have visited the schools with the advanced model, such as Vàng Anh Kindergarten in District 5 and Châu Văn Liêm Primary School, to register for the new school year, although the enrollment period has not begun.—VNS