What is the El Niño phenomenon? Is History and Geography a mandatory subject in lower secondary schools in Vietnam?

What is the El Niño phenomenon?

The El Niño phenomenon is a natural climate event that occurs when the surface water temperature in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean (near the equator) rises abnormally above average. El Niño is a part of the system of natural cycles known as the ENSO Phenomenon (El Niño-Southern Oscillation), which includes two main phases: El Niño and La Niña. Both of these phenomena have a significant impact on global weather.

Please refer to some additional information about the El Niño phenomenon below:

What is the El Niño phenomenon?

When El Niño occurs, ocean currents in this area change, leading to warm water surfacing and increasing ocean surface temperature. This directly affects climate conditions in many regions worldwide. Throughout the El Niño phase, changes in sea temperature affect wind systems and air circulation, altering weather patterns.

El Niño often brings distinct climatic phenomena such as:

Heavy rain and flooding in areas like the western coast of South America, particularly Peru and Ecuador.

Droughts in other areas like Southeast Asia, Australia, and India, where severe rainfall shortages occur.

Increased temperatures in some regions like North America and neighboring areas, causing unusual heatwaves.

El Niño not only affects the weather but also has far-reaching impacts on the environment and human activities. Changes in rainfall and temperature can affect crops, agricultural production, and even lead to natural disasters such as storms and floods. Meanwhile, the El Niño phenomenon may also contribute to global climate change, leading to long-term and unpredictable impacts.

However, scientists are still researching and monitoring the El Niño phenomenon to better understand its causes and impacts, thereby proposing more effective coping measures in the future.

*Note: Information is for reference only./.

What is the El Niño phenomenon? Is History and Geography a mandatory subject in lower secondary schools in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

Is History and Geography a mandatory subject in lower secondary schools in Vietnam?

Based on Section 1 of the general education program for the subject of History and Geography issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the characteristics of the subject of History and Geography are as follows:

SUBJECT CHARACTERISTICS

The subject of History and Geography at the lower secondary level plays an important role in forming and developing essential qualities, general competencies, and science competencies in students, with distinctive expressions being historical competency and geographical competency; laying the foundation for students to continue studying at the upper secondary level, pursue vocational training, or participate in working life, becoming useful citizens.

History and Geography is a mandatory subject taught from grade 6 to grade 9. The subject includes educational content on history, geography, and several interdisciplinary topics, also integrating knowledge at a simple level about economics, culture, science, religion,... The historical and geographical knowledge streams are connected to illuminate and support each other. Additionally, the subject includes several integrative themes, such as: protecting sovereignty, the legal rights and interests of Vietnam in the East Sea; urban areas - history and present; the civilization of the Red River and Mekong River deltas; major geographic discoveries, etc.

Thus, according to the above regulation, History and Geography in lower secondary education is a mandatory subject.

What is the perspective on developing the History and Geography program in lower secondary education in Vietnam?

Based on Section 2 of the general education program for the subject of History and Geography issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, the perspective on developing the subject of History and Geography program is as follows:

The History and Geography program at the lower secondary level adheres to the regulations in the overall program, while emphasizing several points of view:

1. The program aims to form and develop in students scientific thinking, viewing the world as an entirety in both spatial and temporal dimensions based on basic knowledge, learning tools, and research in history and geography; thereby, forming and developing both specific and general competencies, particularly the ability to apply knowledge and skills in practice and creativity.

2. The program inherits and promotes the advantages of the History and Geography subjects in the current general education program and assimilates the experience of developing subject programs from advanced countries around the world. The curriculum content ensures equipping students with foundational, comprehensive, and scientific general knowledge; suitable to the psychological and cognitive characteristics of students, considering the teaching conditions of Vietnamese schools.

3. The content of history education is designed in a linear timeline, from prehistoric times through ancient, medieval, and to modern times; during each period, there is a cross-section of global, regional, and Vietnamese history. The geography education stream moves from general geography to regional geography and Vietnamese geography. Emphasis is placed on selecting themes, connecting knowledge and skills to form and develop competencies in students, simultaneously appreciating the scientific characteristics of history and geography.

4. The program emphasizes applying active educational methods, highlighting the use of teaching tools, diversifying teaching and assessment forms to form and develop qualities and competencies in students.

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Thus, according to the above regulation, the content design of History and Geography adheres to a linear timeline, from prehistoric through ancient, medieval, to modern times; within each period lies a cross-section of global, regional, and Vietnamese history. The geography education stream moves from general geography to regional geography and Vietnamese geography.