Members of a working group from Singapore Polytechnic School survey a computer room at the Phu Lam College in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2009.

Four vocational schools in Ho Chi Minh City have worked with Singaporean advisors to develop curricula measuring up to the high educational standards of the city-state.

Phu Lam Technical Economics College, Thu Duc Technical and Vocational School, South Sai Gon Technical and Vocational School and Nguyen Huu Canh School began working with the Singaporean side a year ago to develop classes in the subjects.

Some 80 students are expected to enroll in the special courses at each school by next month, said Truong Van Hung, vice principle of Phu Lam School.

The local teachers assigned to teach the classes have all taken a course on teaching methodology at the Singaporean school, Hung said.

If the program is successful, the model will be expanded to other local vocational schools, Hung added.

The Temasek Foundation, a Singaporean non-profit charity organization, has pledged US$1.15 million in funding for the program.

Reported by Van Khoa