What are characteristics of the History and Geography subjects at the primary education level in Vietnam?

What are characteristics of the History and Geography subjectss at the primary education level in Vietnam?

Based on the general education program for the History and Geography subjects issued together with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the characteristics of the History and Geography subjects at the primary level are as follows:

History and Geography at the primary level is a compulsory subject, organized for teaching and learning in grades 4 and 5.

The subject is built on the inheritance and development from the Natural and Social Science subjects in grades 1, 2, and 3 and serves as a foundation for studying History and Geography at the secondary level. It also contributes to laying the initial groundwork for social science education at higher education levels.

The subject contributes to forming and developing in students the essential qualities and general capacities identified in the general program.

The primary-level History and Geography program includes basic, essential knowledge and skills about the geography, history of localities, regions, the country of Vietnam, neighboring countries, and some basic aspects of world geography and history.

The content of the History and Geography program is also directly related to many other subjects and educational activities such as Ethics, Vietnamese Language, Extracurricular Activities, etc.

≫ General education program for History and Geography subjects issued together with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT: Download

What are characteristics of the History and Geography subjects at the primary education level in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are the perspectives on building the new curriculum for History and Geography subjects in Vietnam?

According to the general education program for the History and Geography subjects issued together with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the primary-level History and Geography program adheres to the provisions stated in the general program, while stemming from the characteristics of the subject, emphasizing some perspectives as follows:

- The History and Geography program integrates the education content of history, geography, and some cultural and social content in connections about space and time; integrates the content of environmental protection, human value education; combines theory with practice, and connects educational content with reality to form and develop in students the specific capabilities of the subject and the essential qualities and general competencies defined in the general program.

The program connects with other subjects and educational activities such as Natural and Social Sciences, Science, Ethics, Extracurricular Activities, etc helping students apply the integrated knowledge and skills from many subjects and educational activities to solve problems in learning and life, suitable for their age.

- Based on inheriting and promoting the advantages of the current general education program for History and Geography, and learning from the experiences of advanced countries worldwide, the History and Geography program selects basic and elementary knowledge about nature, population, some economic activities, history, and culture of different regions, the country of Vietnam, and the world. It includes events and historical figures reflecting significant milestones in the process of building and defending the country of Vietnam.

The content of the subject ensures scientific accuracy and is appropriate for students' psychological characteristics and cognitive levels.

- The program is designed based on gradually expanding geographical and social space, from the geography, history of localities, regions, and the country of Vietnam to the geography and history of neighboring countries, regions, and the world.

- The program selects practical content for forming and developing students' qualities and competencies through active learning activities organization methods such as exploring historical and geographical issues, practicing and applying what has been learned to identify and solve real-life problems, etc.

- The program is designed to be open and flexible to adjust according to the socio-economic conditions of different localities; suitable for the capabilities of teachers, different groups of students, and the actual teaching practice at schools, while still ensuring the overall level of general education nationwide, gradually approaching the regional and world level.

What is the overview of the current primary-level History and Geography textbooks in Vietnam?

Based on the list of grade 4 textbooks used in general education institutions issued together with Decision 4434/QD-BGDDT 2022 and the list of textbooks for grade 5 subjects, educational activities, and the Chinese Language textbooks for grades 3 and 4 used in general education institutions, and the list of grade 5 math textbooks in general education institutions issued together with Decision 4119/QD-BGDDT 2023, the overview of the primary-level History and Geography textbooks is as follows: