HCMC is leading the country in the education sector and is now determined to upgrade the education level to international standards.
Le Hong Son, deputy director of the Department of Education and Training specified that the department was determined to see that schools follow certain norms and standards to meet with international levels of education. In particular, students must attend class for a full day and classes must not have more than 20-30 students. At present, students study for only half a day with classes crowding more than 40-50 students.
Mr. Son also said that schools will have to provide all necessary equipment to students to study and practice. Libraries, gymnasiums and sport facilities must also be of a required standard and students should have provision for extra curricular activities as well.
The department plans to create programs for students to study abroad and for teachers to attend training courses in other countries, thus opening opportunities for foreign investors as well as introduction of advanced methods of teaching and learning.
Presently, most schools that have high international standards operate autonomously, maintaining a good study environment and offer high salaries to teachers.
The department is also focused on investing in high quality schools in backward areas and provides scholarships to poor students. Every year the city education board has tried to increase 1,000 class rooms but has so far failed in its endeavor.
