Vietnam officially approves online schooling

Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training has just authorized online classes to support or replace face-to-face teaching and learning.

According to a new circular issued by the ministry, the school principals can decide on whether to organize online classes to support or replace face-to-face instruction when students are unable to go to schools due to a force majeure.

Online teaching aims to support or replace face-to-face teaching and learning, helping educational institutions improve the quality of teaching and ensuring the curriculum delivery.

This method will create opportunities for teachers and students to access useful resources on the internet.

Through e-learning, both teachers and students will improve their computing and technological competences, problem-solving and self-study skills.

The circular will take effect from May 16, 2021. Photo: baochinhphu.vn

According to the circular, online schooling must ensure interaction between teachers and students. "Online classes should ensure quality regarding syllabus, teachers and devices. The ministry will conduct regular checks, tests, and assessment," the circular said.

Regular assessments of students' learning performance would be carried out online. However, the periodic assessments would take place at schools.

Under the new circular, three online schooling forms will be implemented.

In the first form, online learning will be complementary to traditional face-to-face learning. Teachers will provide documents, study materials, assign tasks, guide and supervise students in preparation for learning in class.

In the second form, online studying will partially replace face-to-face education. Students will conduct most studying activities at home and only go to school to practice special skills such as teamwork and debate skills.

In the third form, e-learning will completely replace face-to-face learning. All studying activities will be carried out entirely online. This option will only be applied when students are unable to attend class, such as the schooling disruption to curb coronavirus spread.

Previously, many schools across Vietnam have organized online classes following the lock-downs due to the Covid-19 outbreaks. However, parents said most schools were not well-prepared for online teaching.

The circular will take effect from May 16, 2021.