Ho Chi Minh City Education: Digital transformation imprint in education and global integration

Breakthrough in digital transformation

Over the years, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has affirmed its pioneering position in the country in innovation and digital transformation.

Identifying technology as the "key" to opening the future of modern education, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City has concretized the education development strategy associated with digital transformation through many programs, projects and pioneering models, aiming to build "Digital Schools - Digital Students - Digital Teachers".

Mr. Ho Tan Minh, Chief of Office of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, said that the application of information technology does not stop at administrative management but also spreads widely to every classroom and every teaching and learning activity.

The entire sector has deployed a synchronous educational database platform, unified connection between educational institutions, supporting the management of student records, learning outcomes, teacher expertise and school activities. This system contributes to improving transparency, saving time, and effectively serving the direction, management and decision-making based on data.

Students of Phu Tho Primary School (Phu Tho ward, Ho Chi Minh City) experience virtual reality equipment.

Ho Chi Minh City is also one of the leading localities in implementing a large-scale online learning, testing and assessment system, synchronized from primary to high school levels.

In particular, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the city's education sector quickly adapted, turning "challenges" into "motivation", making online teaching a regular part of the flexible education strategy.

From teaching via Zoom and Google Classroom, schools have gradually moved to an internal digital learning platform, where each lecture, document, and learning video is built and stored into a "digital knowledge bank". Teachers are trained in digital skills, students are equipped with information technology capacity and skills to use smart devices safely and effectively.

In particular, Ho Chi Minh City is also a pioneer in bringing the international digital skills standard ICDL (International Computer Driving License) into mainstream teaching. The implementation of ICDL not only helps students possess a widely recognized international IT certificate but also opens up opportunities for technology integration, creating a solid foundation for the future generation of "digital citizens".

Thousands of students in Ho Chi Minh City have access to and achieved this certificate, affirming their international IT capacity.

Ho Chi Minh City students are excited about the ICDL international IT class.

Along with that, the digitization of libraries, learning materials, smart management, and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in education are being expanded.

Many schools in Ho Chi Minh City have deployed “Digital Libraries”, “Virtual Teachers”, “Student Support Robots”, etc., turning the learning space into a multi-dimensional interactive environment, stimulating interest and creativity. This is an important foundation for Ho Chi Minh City to move towards the goal of “Smart Education, Smart City”.

Make English a Second Language

Over the years, the strategic vision of Ho Chi Minh City has always aimed at improving the quality of human resources, creating favorable conditions for the process of global integration. In particular, focusing on implementing models, programs and projects to improve the quality of teaching and learning English has created a premise for the locality to soon make English the second language in schools.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, once said that making English the second language in schools in Ho Chi Minh City has obvious favorable premises.

People agree, because in the city, 99% of students learn English from grade 1. In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has implemented many English programs in public schools at all three levels: primary, secondary and high school.

Specifically: elective English program, intensive English. In particular, since the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued Decision No. 5695/QD-UBND in 2014, Project 5695 "Teaching and learning Math, Science and English integrating English and Vietnamese programs" has become one of the outstanding marks of the city's education and training sector.

Students of Tran Dai Nghia High School for the Gifted (HCMC) in a class under the Integrated English Program.

The core objective of Project 5695 is to help students learn subjects in English, thereby developing foreign language skills, academic thinking and international integration ability right from high school.

This is considered a pioneering step of Ho Chi Minh City in the process of comprehensive educational innovation, keeping up with the trend of integration and digital transformation in teaching.

To date, Project 5695 has expanded dramatically in both the number of schools and students participating. From 18 schools with about 600 students initially, the program is now present in more than 160 schools, attracting more than 30,000 students.

Many public schools in Ho Chi Minh City have proactively invested in facilities, foreign language classrooms, and smart teaching equipment to meet the learning needs of integrated programs, contributing to the formation of a modern, dynamic, and international educational environment.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW of the Politburo on implementing fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training orients to gradually make English the second language in schools.

The successful implementation of the integrated English program in recent years has clearly demonstrated the strategic vision of Ho Chi Minh City leaders in improving foreign language proficiency. The outstanding achievements of the city's students in international certification exams are also concrete evidence of the program's effectiveness.

This is the basis for continuing to expand the application and realize the direction of Conclusion 91, making English the second language in schools.

"Making English a second language is not only an educational goal, but also a preparation step for the future, helping the young generation of Ho Chi Minh City confidently become global citizens," affirmed Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu.

Google Classroom at Phu Nhuan High School (HCMC).

Along with digital transformation and international integration, Ho Chi Minh City also focuses on building the "Happy School" model, one of the core values of the comprehensive education development strategy.

With the philosophy of “Taking people as the center”, the happy school model is implemented on three pillars: Happy teachers – Happy students – Accompanying parents. This is not only a slogan but has become a behavioral culture and educational style in many schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

Schools in Ho Chi Minh City have focused on building a friendly, safe, and non-violent learning environment; renovating classrooms, libraries, playgrounds, and functional rooms so that students feel "loved, respected, and able to be themselves."

The movement “Every day at school is a happy day” has become a strong message spreading throughout the city’s education community. Hundreds of schools have been recognized as Happy Schools, contributing to building a humane and comprehensive educational environment where knowledge and emotions are nurtured together.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/giao-duc-tphcm-dau-an-chuyen-doi-so-trong-giao-duc-va-hoi-nhap-toan-cau-post752119.html