(VOVWORLD) - Pupils entering the first grade this academic year are the first generation to follow Vietnam’s new general education program. Many primary schools in Can Tho city are using new educational models to promote creativity. One model involves teaching students how to make traditional cakes of the southern region. It’s challenging at first, but quickly turns into fun.
Vo Truong Toan Primary School in Ninh Kieu District is one of the schools in Can Tho city teaching students how to make traditional cakes. The school yard has become a “kitchen”, where students work together through every step of the cooking process, and at the end of all their work, they sit down together and share the delicious food they have created. The students make familiar cakes like steamed honeycomb cake, savoury rice cake (banh beo), and chewy tapioca dumplings (banh bot loc).
 The cake-making class at Vo Truong Toan school is for students from grade 3 to 5. (Photo: VOV) |
5th grader Nguyen Ngoc Ngan Khanh is excited about the cakes she made and wants to see more classes like this, “Learning how to make traditional cakes relieves stress. I’m so happy to learn how to make these cakes. I intend to make some for my parents when I get home.”
Ms. Doan Thi Thu Thuy, who teaches at Vo Truong Toan, says the school offers many practical activities matched to the students’ age. The cake-making class is for students from grade 3 to 5. The recipes are simplified so the kids can do it themselves.
“When I tell my students that they will have a day to learn how to make traditional cakes, everyone seems to be very excited and happy. After these cooking classes at school, the students are urged to participate in festivals, making traditional cakes with adult artisans. These practical experiences make my students more eager to learn,” said Thuy.
 The recipes are simplified so the kids can do it themselves. (Photo:VOV) |
The students of Mac Dinh Chi Primary School in Can Tho city are looking forward to a class introducing southern traditional cakes. The class teaches the students a lot about cakes in Vietnamese history, the ingredients of a cake, and how to wrap and cook a cake in the traditional ways. Making traditional cakes makes them more creative, and gives them a better understanding and appreciation of traditional cakes.
“Today’s baking lesson is really fun and helpful. The artisans work hard to make the cakes. I love them so much,” said 5th grader Vo Nguyet Khiet Anh.
Such activities teach students about sharing, creativity, and teamwork, and it is an opportunity for artisans to share their love of cooking with the younger generation.
“We want to create extra-curricular classes where the students can make the cakes themselves, to see how they’re made and the meaning behind the cakes. We want them to be able to introduce these cakes to the world, so that our international friends can learn how delicious Vietnamese food is,” said artisan Truong Thi Chieu.