Diverse after-school talent clubs
Many primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City have implemented sports clubs (basketball, karatedo, vovinam, chess, table tennis, etc.), art clubs, fun science clubs, junior art clubs, "English is Fun" clubs, chess clubs, etc., after regular school hours, allowing parents to register their children according to their needs, talents, and interests. These clubs help students develop their talents and skills appropriate to their age, while also creating a safe space for play and exercise while waiting for their parents to finish work, allowing for flexible drop-off and pick-up times. The fees for these clubs comply with the regulations and guidelines on fees set by the city and the Department of Education and Training.
After-school sports and talent clubs help students develop their talents and skills while providing a safe space for play and fun while waiting for their parents to pick them up.
PHOTO: TRAN QUY
At Nguyen Van Tran Primary School (Hung Long commune, Ho Chi Minh City), students usually finish school at 4:30 PM. Ms. Vo Thi Hong Thu, the school principal, said that homeroom teachers will assist in supervising students until 5 PM, guiding them in reading and safe play. For students whose parents pick them up later, they need to call and inform the school's security office in advance so that security personnel can assist in supervising the students and ensure their safety.
Ms. Hong Thu stated that on a weekday afternoon (from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM), the school offers a free sports club to nurture the talents of gifted students in physical education and sports, held at the school's gymnasium. On Saturday mornings, students can also participate in a free English club organized at the school. In addition, the school organizes creative art and martial arts clubs after school hours (from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM), with fees charged according to regulations set by Ho Chi Minh City and the Department of Education and Training. These clubs are managed by school teachers or external teachers, adhering to regulations, allowing parents to register their children if they wish to participate.
However, some schools have not yet implemented these activities. The principal of a primary school in Nha Be district (Ho Chi Minh City), an area with a high concentration of working-class people, told Thanh Nien newspaper that the school is currently gathering feedback from parents to organize after-school clubs such as aerobics, martial arts, basketball, and drawing. It is expected that after completing the needs survey, the clubs will be organized starting next week (November 9th) on weekday afternoons, from 4:30 PM (when students leave school) to 5:15 PM, making it more convenient for parents to drop off and pick up their children.