Ho Chi Minh City is organizing a program for the 2016 –17 academic year, in which primary students will finish their studies at school and go home without homework.

The city’s Department of Education and Training issued a dispatch on Monday to guide local primary schools to offer two classes a day for primary students, in an effort to ease stress and avoid illegal extra-classes.

According to the guideline, the first class of the day should focus on teaching students core subjects, while the later session is where students can complete the unfinished lessons of the previous class.

The second class is also the time for students to self-study and practice what they have learned with the support of teachers.

Significantly, after the two sessions, teachers are now not allowed to assign more homework for students.

According to the city’s education department, the program should only be applied in schools where students have a true demand for it, parents are willing, and the educational authorities have approved it.

Each participating school is also allowed the flexibility to organize its own plan based on its own conditions.

The city’s education department also encourages schools to have their own kitchens and ensure food safety.