Many new points related to management of extra teaching and learning
From February 14, Circular No. 29/2024/TT-BGDDT regulating extra teaching and learning of the Ministry of Education and Training officially took effect with many regulations to limit the act of forcing students to take extra classes.
According to the newly issued circular, there are 3 cases that are not allowed to teach extra classes, including: Primary school students; teachers who are teaching at schools are not allowed to teach extra classes outside of school for money from students that the teacher is assigned to teach by the school according to the school's education plan; teachers at public schools are not allowed to participate in the management and operation of extra classes outside of school but can participate in extra classes outside of school.
The new circular also stipulates that organizations and individuals who organize extra teaching and learning outside of school and collect money from students must register their business in accordance with the law.
The Circular also increases the principal's management responsibility for teachers under his/her management when they participate in extra-curricular teaching by stipulating: "Teachers who are teaching at schools and participate in extra-curricular teaching must report to the principal about the subjects, location, form, and time of extra-curricular teaching."
The Ministry of Education and Training said that when drafting the new circular on extra teaching and learning, the ministry determined to only prohibit negative phenomena, not prohibit the real and legitimate needs of both teachers and students.
This is considered a regulation that is suitable to the actual situation and eliminates the mindset of "if you can't manage it, then ban it" in the construction of legal regulations.
Need to improve teaching quality
As a parent with two children studying at secondary school in Hoang Mai, Hanoi, Ms. Nguyen Thu Thao believes that extra classes are a legitimate need. Because in many inner-city areas, the number of students per class is always very high, up to 50 students/class. While the time for each class is limited, teachers cannot cover all students.
Ms. Thao shared: "In addition to studying at school, my family still lets our children learn extra Math and English. The older child is taking the 10th grade exam so he should learn extra Math, Literature, and English to consolidate his knowledge. We choose reputable teachers, not necessarily teachers from the school where our children study. Extra classes are completely voluntary, not forced."
However, this parent also believes that there are still negative phenomena in extra teaching and learning such as: Teachers find ways to force students to take extra classes; if students do not take extra classes, they will be persecuted...
Ms. Ngo Thi Le - teacher at Nui Doi Town Secondary School (Hai Phong) - also acknowledged that extra classes are a legitimate need of every family, when they need to supplement their children's knowledge. However, we should not be too dependent on extra classes and avoid the mindset that only by going to extra classes can we be good. Teachers will always be proactive, creating many learning methods so that students can immediately absorb knowledge in class. For students who are slow in acquiring knowledge, participating in extra classes is also a good thing.
"The circular recently issued by the Ministry of Education and Training is very suitable and brings benefits to every teacher, parent and student. Teachers will grasp the information to be able to teach extra classes in the most effective and correct way, avoiding cases such as teachers forcing students to take extra classes, not going to classes will make it difficult to get high scores... At the same time, the circular also clearly stipulates that extra classes do not affect the curriculum in class, which I think is very close to current reality, ensuring that the interests of students must be put first" - Ms. Le shared.
From an expert's perspective, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Thi An believes that the most important thing right now is how to improve the quality of real teaching and learning right in the classrooms and schools, so that students have enough knowledge to attend the next class and pass exams without having to study extra.
