"Tighten" regulations on extra tutoring
Dr. Vu Thu Huong - former lecturer of the Faculty of Primary Education, Hanoi National University of Education - commented that Circular 29 allows teachers to teach extra classes without collecting tuition fees, helping teachers support weak students or nurture good students outside of class hours. This creates conditions for teachers to supplement knowledge for students when they cannot solve it during regular class hours.
Ms. Huong said that before 2000, teachers often supported students outside of class hours without charging any fees. When they saw that students needed help, teachers were willing to teach them for free. However, later, extra classes gradually became a paid service, turning extra classes into a business activity.
Dr. Vu Thu Huong added that after Circular 29 was issued, many opinions argued that allowing teachers to teach extra classes without charging fees was unreasonable. But in reality, if teachers cannot fully convey knowledge to the majority of students, it means that they have not fulfilled their responsibilities during teaching hours.
Thus, they have to use other time to support students after school hours. And teaching like that is just the teacher fulfilling his responsibility. Therefore, charging fees in this case is unreasonable.
Ms. Huong emphasized that the new regulation affirms that education is not a service, but must put the interests of students first. If education is commercialized, many consequences will occur. This regulation helps tutoring come from the passion of teachers and the real needs of students, instead of for the purpose of making money.
Need to solve the root cause of extra teaching and learning
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Xuan Nhi - former Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Permanent Vice President of the Association of Vietnamese Universities and Colleges - said that there would be nothing to argue about if extra teaching and learning were done in the right direction. However, in reality, extra teaching and learning have many negative aspects.
According to experts, the negativity can come from the teachers, when life is difficult, they think of tutoring to earn more income. As for the parents, because they are too busy, they push their children to take extra classes, or there are also families who, because of achievements, want to take extra classes to stand out,...
"In addition to teachers and parents, the root cause is also the curriculum and heavy testing," said Mr. Nhi.
According to Dr. Vu Thu Huong, teachers who want to improve their economic situation must follow the rules. Teachers must fulfill their responsibilities in class to their students. Each teacher also needs to be aware of training and improving their professional capacity.
Ms. Huong believes that teachers need to train students to be self-studying, self-discovering and develop necessary skills. Teachers who complain about the curriculum often do not help students develop this ability. Teachers must gain experience in guiding students to self-study, make study plans and proactively improve their teaching skills.
5 solutions to effectively manage extra teaching and learning
Recognizing that extra teaching and learning are real needs of learners and teachers, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong mentioned 5 solutions to effectively manage extra teaching and learning as follows:
First, administrative solutions through Circulars and specific regulations.
Second, improve teachers' capacity and teaching methods, teachers' responsibility, and promote students' self-study ability. At the same time, innovate assessment and evaluation: Regular assessment and evaluation, final assessment, and entrance exams must be consistent with the content and requirements of the 2018 General Education Program,...
Third, the solution is to improve facilities and schools to ensure equal access to education for students. Increase the number of schools and classes that teach two sessions per day.
Fourth, strengthen inspection and examination.
Fifth, promote and mobilize, thereby raising teachers' sense of self-respect and self-esteem to say "no" to extra teaching that is not in accordance with regulations. Issue policies to ensure the lives of teachers, including continuing to improve and promulgate the Law on Teachers.
