On March 21, the Ministry of Education and Training worked with the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City on the management of extra teaching and learning according to Circular 29.
Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc - Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City said that for many years, Ho Chi Minh City has stopped organizing extra classes and extra classes in schools.
When Circular 29 was issued, the department advised the City People's Committee to issue documents and instructions to direct many implementation contents, resolutely not to allow extra teaching and learning in violation of regulations in schools, to direct the issuance of inspection questions not to put pressure on students, not to loosen the training and review for students but to determine that this is the responsibility of schools...
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has also directed the school to review the school's education plan, strengthen the management of teaching work in 2 sessions/day, and assign teachers to support students, especially final year students. Establish inspection teams for the management of extra teaching and learning in the city, each locality proactively establishes inspection teams...
At the same time, Mr. Bao Quoc said that there are still difficulties in implementing the provisions of Circular 29 such as not having specific documents with criteria to check extra teaching and learning; some parents have not agreed with the new regulations, claiming that it affects the opportunities of students.
"Some clubs such as life skills and STEM have difficulty determining whether to teach extra classes or not, which will cause difficulties for schools when organizing. In addition, the number of extra periods/week/subject is not enough to train students..., Mr. Quoc shared.
Therefore, the representative of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City proposed that the ministry consider reviewing the regulation on extra teaching and learning not exceeding 2 periods/week/subject to increase to 5 periods/week/subject.
Regarding this issue, Mr. Thai Van Tai - Director of the General Education Department said that the choice of 2 periods/week in the school year is well-founded, aiming for the profound goal of going to a school without extra classes or tutoring.
"Teaching extra classes in schools with only 2 periods will feel a bit lacking for students, so teachers and schools are aware of resolving the content during the regular course. In addition, teachers instruct students to be self-conscious, proactive, and self-study so as not to depend on teachers. Therefore, it is impossible to change the teaching time for more than 2 periods," said Mr. Tai.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong said that the ministry does not ban teachers from teaching quality extra classes but only prohibits teaching extra classes widely, causing waste of parents' money, negatively affecting the development of students and teacher-student relationships.
According to the Deputy Minister, the reason for the existence of extra teaching and learning is that there are currently many public schools in big cities, with too many students, with more than 50 students in class, making it impossible for teachers to care for each student; the quality and distance between schools are not uniform. Parents' pressure to get points and wishes about their children's academic achievements, the assessment test is not suitable, and the exam questions are too overwhelming for students, also increase extra classes.
Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong said that currently, educational goals have changed, with the current program, teachers not only teach knowledge but also importantly, methods, arousing awareness of self-study.
"Teachers' happiness is in the shortest time, students do not have to depend on themselves," said Mr. Thuong.
