Teaching Vietnam preschoolers on computers raises concerns

From Thanh Nien News

Some pre-schools in Saigon have equipped themselves with “interactive whiteboards,” prompting mixed opinions from teachers, parents and education experts.

A boy uses an interactive whiteboard at a pre-school in Saigon.

When the new school year began early last month, Binh An pre-school in the city’s District 2 announced it had bought an interactive board for VND180 million (US$ 8,533), according to Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Half the cost of the board was paid for by the government, according to the school, and the rest will come from the pupils’ parents via a VND15,000 ($0.71) per-month fee.

Of course, some parents are upset they will have to subsidize the cost of a tool the school will have forever but their children may only use for a year or two. Others are questioning the plan for it’s feasibility while others say it could help give students a technological leg-up.

An interactive whiteboard is a large interactive display that connects to a computer. A projector projects the computer’s desktop onto the board’s surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand.

A woman identified only as N., mother of a pupil at Son Ca pre-school in Phu Nhuan District, said the school will charge each pupil $0.71 per month for the interactive whiteboard system.

“The school will use the interactive board to teach English. But my kid isn’t taking the English class, so why do I still have to pay for the board, not to mention that the school hasn’t even announced when it will begin using the new tool.”

Instead of investing in in interactive boards, the school should spend money on toys and practical school supplies, she said.

Le Hoai Nam, deputy head of the Saigon Department of Education and Training, said the use of interactive boards in Saigon pre-schools is a step towards modernizing schools in the city. He said it would help familiarize them with modern educational tools like their peers in other countries.

Read the full story from Thanh Nien News.