On November 26, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) in collaboration with UNESCO in Vietnam organized the Workshop "Policy and legal framework for teachers in the context of globalization - International experience and recommendations for Vietnam".
The workshop was held in both in-person and online formats with the participation of representatives of leaders of units under the Ministry of Education and Training and more than 150 policy makers, legislators, education managers, teachers, representatives of education unions, and more than 10 international organizations, UNESCO organizations and Vietnamese non-governmental organizations.
At the workshop, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong said that over the past time, the draft Law on Teachers was developed with elaborate and thorough processes and procedures with the participation of a team of experts, universities, and departments of education and training.
The Draft Law on Teachers was submitted to the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly. Accordingly, there were 127 opinions in groups and 37 opinions discussed in the parliament.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that building the Law on Teachers is not about systematizing regulations, but about making teachers love their profession more, contributing to improving the quality of education, where the main beneficiaries are generations of students.
Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Miki Nozawa, Head of Education Programme, UNESCO in Vietnam, said that teacher quality is one of the most important factors determining learning outcomes. However, the teaching profession faces significant challenges and must adapt to the ever-changing needs of education and society.
To support teachers in fulfilling this vital role and address emerging challenges, it is essential to develop comprehensive legislation on teachers that will ensure that teachers can continue to provide quality education for all, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society, from which they themselves benefit.
Approaching lessons from international countries, contributing ideas at the workshop, Dr. Pham Do Nhat Tien recommended that it is necessary to develop a teacher policy based on a comprehensive and holistic approach, consistent with the guiding views in fundamental and comprehensive educational innovation; develop training and fostering programs for teachers in a transformational direction, one step ahead to be ready for the transformation of teaching and learning in educational institutions; ensure that the salary, benefits and rewards for teachers are commensurate with the position, role, responsibility and professional activities of teachers; identify and overcome current shortcomings and barriers in recruiting, using and retaining teachers...
For the teaching staff, Mr. Tien also advised that teachers need to change their perspective on their role. In the new era, teachers not only know how to speak, explain, and inspire, but also need to lead learners on the path of knowledge creation, innovation, and world change.
As a training unit, Mr. Huynh Van Son - Principal of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education proposed that the draft Law on Teachers needs to build standards for a team of teachers with capacity approaching international requirements. The quality of teachers must be associated with lifelong learning and training to respond to changes and impacts of the context.
Along with capacity, according to Mr. Son, teachers must take the lead in enforcing the law, be exemplary in behavior, and uphold ethics.
According to regulations, the draft Law on Teachers will be submitted to the National Assembly in two rounds. Round 1 was discussed and commented on by delegates on November 20. At the 9th session, scheduled for May 2025, the National Assembly will continue to discuss and consider passing the draft Law on Teachers.
