Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Director of the Department of Secondary Education, spoke with Lao Dong on the afternoon of January 9 about the Circular on management of extra teaching and learning recently issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Circular No. 29 regulates extra teaching and learning with many new points such as: Schools are only allowed to teach extra classes in three groups, and must be free of charge, including: Groups with unsatisfactory results in any subject in the previous semester; selected to nurture excellent students; final year students who voluntarily register to review for the 10th grade exam and graduation exam. As for teachers, they are not allowed to collect extra tuition from students in their classes.
Mr. Thanh acknowledged that extra teaching and learning are due to the needs of both students and teachers.
"Through monitoring and understanding reality, we see that there are students who have the need and voluntarily take extra classes, but there are also students who, even though they don't want to, still have to take extra classes organized by their own teachers and schools.
Some students are having to go to extra classes just to avoid feeling isolated from their friends, to avoid feeling guilty towards their teachers, or even to avoid feeling unfamiliar with the test," Mr. Thanh shared.
The Head of the Secondary Education Department emphasized that the Ministry of Education and Training does not prohibit extra teaching but seeks the cause to have appropriate and effective management plans.
"Studying to be better and develop yourself is a legitimate desire, so the Ministry of Education and Training does not prohibit it. However, organizations and individuals who teach extra classes must register their business and must publicly disclose their location, subjects, study time, costs, etc. and must strictly comply with legal regulations on working hours, working hours, safety, security, fire prevention, etc. At that time, students and parents will choose any place that makes them and their parents trust and meets their requirements," said Mr. Thanh.
Regarding general schools, according to Mr. Thanh, currently applying the 2018 General Education Program, the Ministry of Education and Training has specified the number of periods/subject, and set out requirements for each subject that are suitable for students.
The Ministry of Education and Training also gives schools the autonomy to develop their own educational plans to ensure effectiveness and develop students' abilities.
So in principle, the school and teachers have carried out the lessons on time as prescribed, ensuring that students have the knowledge and meet the requirements of the program. If there are still students who have not met the requirements, the school must be responsible for providing extra knowledge, so they cannot collect money.
Tutoring groups for gifted students or final exam preparation is also part of the school's plan. Teachers should also guide students in self-study methods and avoid tutoring that forces them to learn.
"We need to focus on learning methods instead of trying to learn a lot but not bringing practical results" - Mr. Thanh said and believes that we need to aim for "students not to have to study too much, causing unnecessary pressure and fatigue".
On the teachers’ side, many are concerned about a decrease in income when the Ministry’s circular takes effect. Regarding this, Mr. Thanh emphasized that the Ministry does not prohibit teachers from teaching extra classes outside of school, but they must register their business or teach at registered centers.
The reason the Ministry prohibits teachers from collecting money from regular students is to avoid them cutting down on knowledge in class and pulling students out to teach extra classes.
"If teachers make an effort, are good teachers, are truly dedicated, and bring value to students, there will certainly be no shortage of students seeking to study with them," said the Head of the Secondary Education Department.
