The policy of rearranging the school system nationwide is entering a decisive stage.
Along with the goal of reducing at least 30% of school headquarters, it is expected that more than 20,000 principals and vice principals will be transferred and rearranged; of which about 11,000 people will return to work as teachers.
For many years, the education sector has faced a paradox. In many localities, there is still a shortage of teachers, especially in new subjects and difficult areas.
Meanwhile, the management apparatus in some places shows signs of being cumbersome when the scale of schools is small, the number of students decreases but the number of management staff is almost unchanged.
Therefore, transferring a part of management officials back to teaching is a reasonable direction. That is also the way to bring specialized human resources back to the most needed place.
However, the first thing to change is society's perception.
Many people still implicitly see the return from principal and vice principal to become teachers as a step back in their careers. That thought easily creates a heavy psychology for those subject to transfer.
Meanwhile, the teaching profession has a very special point. School administrators also start from the podium. Principal is not another profession for teachers, but a management position assigned in a certain period.
If today the system needs more teachers, and the number of management staff is less, then returning to class should be seen as a continued contribution, a very normal thing, there is nothing to worry about.
However, in parallel with the "normal" mentality, the education sector must also have full preparation for this transformation process.
In reality, many management officials have not directly taught for many years. The new general education program, teaching methods, application of technology or current testing and evaluation requirements have all changed a lot.
To help them quickly get into work, it is necessary to have a training plan, update expertise and support adaptation before returning to the podium.
The policy of rearranging the school system nationwide this time does not aim to cut at all costs, but aims to restructure the staff in the direction of reducing management staff and increasing direct teaching staff.
All towards the goal of students being able to study in schools that are better managed, teachers having more colleagues teaching, and real education quality being improved.
If implemented publicly, transparently, with a roadmap and ensuring full rights for those who are transferred or retire early, this process will create consensus.
In education, the most important position is still the podium. And the return of about 11,000 principals and vice-principals to the podium, if it is where the system needs it, is always a worthy contribution.
