Since its inception in 2019, iPlay has been implemented in eight provinces and cities across the country. In 2023, iPLAY is entering its final phase and achieving numerous successes, contributing to the implementation of the General Education Programme (GEP) 2018.

The initiative fulfils the demand for innovation in education, and enhances the holistic development of competencies and qualities among students from primary level.

From the 2020-2021 academic year, to change the focus of the education programme from emphasising academic knowledge to practical skills, the MoET has started implementing the GEP 2018 from grade 1. This drive represents a fundamental change in education, focusing on students' holistic development to cope with rapid global changes.

Accordingly, teachers need to play a guiding role to help students develop the necessary competencies and qualities and become proactive, autonomous, and active learners.

In this context, iPLAY was implemented at the perfect time to assist the MoET’s objectives for GEP 2018. iPLAY aims to improve primary school teachers' attitudes, expertise, and capacity to use Learning Through Play (LTP) to support student development.

LTP is an educational approach that contributes to children’s holistic development (cognitive, social, emotional, creative, and physical development), builds the foundation for lifelong learning, and equips students with practical skills, such as problem-solving, creative thinking, communication, teamwork, and self-control.

LTP helps students fully understand the lessons, encourages engagement, and enables the children to experiment, boosting social interaction and excitement when learning.

From the end of 2020, the iPlay project has been applied in Ha Giang, Thai Nguyen, Lai Chau, Nghe An, Quang Ngai, Quang Tri, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. After three years of implementation, the project has achieved many outstanding achievements.

Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet, teacher at Chien Thang Primary School in Thai Nguyen province said, “After participating in LTP training within the iPlay project, I realised that the teaching has become more comfortable and relaxing. Teachers can connect more easily and effectively with the students, who are also more interested in the lessons, actively participate in meaningful learning activities, and interact more with teachers and classmates in an open and creative environment, thereby increasing their learning autonomy.”

Dinh Van Phuong, principal official of the Department of Teachers and Educational Administrators at the MoET evaluated, "The iPLAY project is a significant help in supporting the GEP 2018, implementing the objectives of developing innovative teaching methods to help primary students build their competencies and qualities. Although the GEP 2018 is now in its final stretch, we will continue to work with VVOB to spread LTP nationwide."

With the outstanding successes obtained in recent years, Karolina Rutkowska, country programme manager for VVOB in Vietnam proudly shared, "2023 is the last year to implement the iPLAY project. We will work with stakeholders to promote activities in eight provinces and cities, increasing the scope and impact of the LTP online course for school leaders and teachers all over Vietnam."

"VVOB is committed to assisting MoET in improving teacher capacity to aid Vietnamese students in developing knowledge, qualifications, and competencies to keep up with the pace of globalisation and create lifelong learning," added Rutkowska.

To wrap up the iPLAY project in 2023, VVOB will continue to publish and distribute the LTP guides, while also reaching out to instructors countrywide and raising awareness through the MoET's e-learning platform. To maximise the effectiveness of LTP, VVOB also continues to organise play days and incorporates LTP knowledge into parent meetings at primary schools. This helps call for their support in conducting LTP activities with their children at home.

In general, it is predicted that by the end of 2023, LTP will have reached around 14,700 primary schools, 230,000 teachers, 681,000 students, and 1.43 million parents nationwide, supporting the implementation of the GEP 2018 objective and fostering the young generation of Vietnam to advance their abilities and competencies to become valuable citizens of their nation.