The case of a 7th grade student at Dai Kim Secondary School (Hanoi) violating a teacher raises issues related to building a safe and healthy educational environment and school psychological counseling. Mr. Hoang Duc Minh, Director of the Department of Students (Ministry of Education and Training) shared with the press about this content.
The incident of a 7th grade student at Dai Kim Secondary School committing violence against a teacher caused a stir in public opinion. According to the new regulations in Circular 19 that has just been issued, the highest form of discipline is to write a self-criticism. Many opinions are concerned that the level of discipline is not enough to deter students who violate. Can you share about this issue?
- The issuance of Circular 19 is an important step in the process of perfecting the education policy system, strengthening decentralization and delegation of authority to schools in the work of rewarding and disciplining students. Circular 19 supplements humane principles for the progress of students, enhances autonomy and self-responsibility of managers and teachers at all levels; ensures coordination between schools, families, and society; emphasizes the role of education and comprehensive development of students.
For cases outside the provisions of Circular 19/2025/TT-BGDDT (ie outside the school's handling authority), depending on the nature and severity of the student's violation, administrative sanctions or criminal prosecution will be applied (according to the handling responsibility of competent authorities), not only stopping at the level of writing the review and not only each school is responsible for handling the violation.
In addition to disciplining students for violations, psychological support for students is also an issue of much concern and question. What is the Ministry of Education and Training's view on this issue?
- The Ministry of Education and Training has just issued Circular No. 18/2025/TT-BGDDT guiding school counseling and social work in schools.
Circular 18 clearly identifies the purpose of school counseling and social work as improving learners' capacity in preventing, identifying difficulties, solving and seeking appropriate assistance to overcome difficulties in studying, psychology and social relationships.
At the same time, practice life skills, strengthen will and courage, improve physical and mental health; form appropriate attitude in social relationships, contributing to perfecting the personality of learners. The Circular also aims to strengthen coordination between schools, families, society and related organizations, units and individuals on school counseling and social work in schools.
Therefore, doing a good job of school counseling and social work as stipulated in Circular 18 will contribute to effectively supporting the implementation, supplementing the work of reward and discipline as stipulated in Circular 19.
Regarding the case of 7th graders at Dai Kim Secondary School, I assess that students need advice and support on many contents, in a comprehensive way. The school can apply a 5-step consultation process according to the Ministry's instructions to support students in terms of psychology, life skills, policies, laws, etc.
This contributes to evaluating and classifying students' problems; identifying the causes and difficulties of students; thereby identifying solutions, forms of consultation and support appropriate to the problems students face; developing a support plan for students in terms of psychology, learning, life skills, law... and reporting the results to relevant levels.
So how will the psychological issue for teachers be of concern, sir?
- Regarding psychological support for teachers, the Ministry of Education and Training has organized skills training sessions for teachers to psychologically support themselves and their colleagues. In the coming time, the Ministry will continue to direct and guide the work of consulting and psychological support for managers, lecturers, teachers and staff at educational institutions.
In the long term, how does the Ministry plan to train and foster psychological counseling staff in high schools?
- Regarding the plan to train and foster the team working as psychological counselors in general schools, the Ministry of Education and Training has issued a training program according to professional title standards for student counselors in Decision No. 1311/QD-BGDDT dated May 13, 2025 of the Minister of Education and Training promulgating a training program according to professional title standards for student counselors.
The program stipulates in detail the training of basic knowledge and skills on professional activities to meet the job position requirements of the professional title of student counselor, guidance on the implementation of training programs, and organization of training. The main task of student counselors is to work as school counselors and social work in schools.
In the coming time, the Ministry of Education and Training will issue plans and implement tasks to coordinate with relevant organizations and units to train and foster a team of psychological counselors in general schools.
Building a safe and healthy educational learning environment is not only the responsibility of the school but also the family and society. What do you want to tell parents and students?
- For the provisions in Circulars 18 and 19 to truly come into life, there needs to be synchronization of relevant parties including the direction, guidance, inspection and supervision of the Ministry of Education and Training and localities; the arrangement of resources for implementation of educational institutions; the support and support of parents and society; the close coordination of relevant parties.
Circular 18 is an important step forward in perfecting institutions in education for students, directly affecting and actively supporting the work of caring for and educating students. However, to care for and educate students, helping them develop comprehensively physically, mentally and mentally, there needs to be close and effective companionship and coordination between school - family and society.
Sincerely thank you!
