Vietnam Needs to Improve Learning, Teaching Environment at Schools: UNICEF

Vietnam needs to enhance the teaching and learning environment at schools to make educational institutions trustworthy and safe places to seek for in case of troubles, according to the United Nations Children’ Fund. “It’s worth to note that less than half of the young people in Vietnam turn to teachers when they face an online threat”, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Vietnam Jesper Moller. “Schools play an important role in providing information on digital safety to children. Digital safety should be included into the curriculum. Schools should also have counselors, and a system of peer-to-peer support for children who have had negative experiences online,” he added. The statement was made after the UNICEF released the results of a face-to-face survey among respondents from April 7-15, 2016. They were randomly intercepted in the street near schools and screened to fit the age criterion of 18 years old. The results showed that eight out of ten 18-year-olds believe young people are in danger of being sexually abused or taken advantage of online, and more than five out of 10 think friends participate in risky behaviors while using the internet. Nearly 40% of Vietnamese are connected to the internet and spend an average of 4.6 hours per day surfing online. (VnExpress.net June 9, www.un.org.vn June 7)