Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa)
Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) is one of the first localities to implement the 5-day/week schooling system. Thus, students will have 2 days off per week (Saturday and Sunday).
Lao Cai
Lao Cai also piloted teaching 5 days/week starting from the 2019-2020 school year. After 5 years of pilot implementation, the province recorded many positive results, improving the quality of education, reducing the rate of students dropping out of school. Currently, Lao Cai continues to implement teaching 5 days/week, with Saturday off for primary and secondary schools; it has not been implemented at high school level because the conditions for this level have not been met.
Ha Tinh
From the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, the Department of Education and Training of Ha Tinh province allows a pilot program of teaching 5 days/week, with Saturday and Sunday off for secondary school students in Ha Tinh city.
The Ha Tinh Department of Education and Training requested the City Department of Education and Training to review, carefully research, and ensure conditions for implementation. In particular, it is necessary to ensure the study time according to the regulations of the current general education program and in accordance with reality, develop a scientific and reasonable teaching plan for 2 sessions/day in schools, and survey the opinions of teachers, parents, and students to create consensus.
Phu Tho
In Phu Tho, the pilot program of studying 5 days/week will be applied to grades 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, starting from semester 2 of the 2024-2025 school year.
5 school days/week including teaching subjects, organizing educational activities during and outside of regular school hours, students have Saturday off.
There will be 14 high schools in 13 districts and cities in Phu Tho province piloting teaching 5 days/week. At the secondary school level, each Department of Education and Training will pilot at least one school that meets the application conditions.
Phu Tho Department of Education and Training requires schools implementing the pilot program to have the agreement and consent of teachers, staff, students, and parents. At the same time, the school must ensure that the main curriculum content is properly and fully implemented according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.
Nghe An
In Nghe An, many secondary schools in Vinh City and mountainous districts will pilot allowing students to take Saturdays off from 2023, based on the school's facilities meeting the 2-session/day schedule.
Hanoi
In Hanoi, Saturday school breaks are applied to most private schools and high-quality secondary schools. In the public sector, the two schools that apply this policy are Phan Huy Chu High School and Yen Hoa High School.
In fact, since 2019, the Ministry of Education and Training has provided guidance on teaching two sessions per day for junior high and high school. Accordingly, if teaching all day, schools are not allowed to teach more than 4 periods in the morning for junior high school and 5 periods for high school.
The maximum number of afternoon periods is 3, the maximum number of periods per week is 42 for middle school and 48 for high school. Schools are proactive in arranging a schedule of 5 or 6 days/week. However, the implementation of 2 sessions/day and 5 days/week is related to facilities, number of classrooms as well as teaching staff.
The arrangement of Saturday off for middle school and high school students has received the approval of most parents and students because it extends their rest time and increases concentration on studying during the week.
