THE CURRENT STATE OF MANAGING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONTENT, FORMAT AND METHODS FOR ORGANIZING PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES IN NATURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION: A CASE STUDY OF PRIVATE MIDDLE

Abstract

Practical activities are a main factor for developing scientific skills under Vietnam's 2018 general education curriculum; however, their effectiveness is heavily dependent on the quality of management within schools. This study presents the findings of a survey and analysis of the current state of managing the implementation of content, formats, and teaching methods for practical activities in private middle schools. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through a survey involving 48 managers and teachers in Ho Chi Minh City. The findings show management activities are implemented at an above-average level, however, there exists a significant imbalance. Activities characterised by directive control and supervision (e.g., lesson plan approval, classroom observation) consistently received higher ratings than fostering motivation and professional development (e.g., encouraging innovation, facilitating in-depth professional exchanges). These findings suggest a critical need to recalibrate management strategies, shifting the emphasis from control-oriented approaches to empower teacher creativity and support continuous professional growth.