Final article - Recommendations for parents and students to choose licensed facilities.

Parents and students should choose licensed IELTS and TOEFL test preparation centers with proper operating locations and carefully review tuition and refund terms before registering. They should also ensure they receive a complete contract and receipt when paying tuition fees to protect their rights.

According to regulations, language centers must have programs, curricula, and teaching materials that are appropriate to the content of their licensed activities. Photo: MH

A reporter from the newspaper Tin Tuc va Dan Toc (News and Nation) had a discussion with Ms. Nguyen Thi Diep Hong, Head of the Department of Private and Foreign-Involved Education (Hanoi Department of Education and Training) about this issue.

Madam, what is the current process for evaluating foreign teachers at IELTS/TOEFL centers to ensure they have the necessary teaching qualifications and work permits?

Regarding the assessment process for foreign teachers at IELTS/TOEFL centers, the use of foreign teachers at language centers is carried out in accordance with the law in the fields of education and labor.

Regarding professional qualifications, teachers must meet the standards stipulated in Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) on the regulations for the organization and operation of foreign language and computer training centers.

Regarding working conditions, the recruitment and employment of foreign teachers must comply with the regulations stipulated in Government Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP on foreign workers working in Vietnam.

In the context of implementing decentralization and delegation of authority as stipulated by the City, the Department of Education and Training has issued a document guiding the People's Committees of communes and wards to manage the operation of foreign language and computer training centers in their areas; in which, the People's Committees at the commune level are authorized to carry out administrative procedures related to permitting the establishment of centers as stipulated in Decree No. 125/2024/ND-CP and are responsible for managing, coordinating, inspecting, and supervising the activities of these centers in their areas.

At the same time, the Department of Education and Training guides, monitors, and coordinates with the People's Committees of communes and wards in reviewing operating conditions and managing the workforce, including foreign teachers, ensuring that the employment and organization of educational activities at the centers comply with legal regulations.

Does the Department publicly post a list of centers that "meet standards" or "are currently suspended" on its online portal so that parents and students can easily look it up and avoid being scammed, Madam?

In accordance with current regulations, the Department of Education and Training publicly posts on its electronic portal the list of licensed foreign language and computer training centers; and any decisions to suspend operations (if applicable).

To date, the industry's data system has updated information on 1,054 licensed foreign language and computer training centers. Currently, the law does not prescribe a separate designation such as "IELTS/TOEFL certified center".

In principle, the Department publicly discloses the legal status and operating conditions of facilities to facilitate public oversight.

So, how regularly does the Department monitor the curriculum and teaching materials at these centers, especially given the continuous updates to international exams like IELTS/TOEFL in terms of format, Madam?

According to regulations, language centers must have programs, curricula, and teaching materials that are appropriate to their licensed activities; the materials used must be legal and legally permitted for circulation. This is a mandatory condition when considering permission to establish, operate, and during the management process. Regarding professional activities, teachers must teach according to the center's objectives, content, educational program, and teaching plan.

Therefore, the review of curricula, materials, and teaching plans is carried out through regular and unscheduled inspections, as well as through the review of professional records, public records, and feedback from students and parents. For programs preparing for international certifications such as IELTS and TOEFL, since the test format may be adjusted and updated by foreign testing organizations, the center is directly responsible for updating teaching content and internal materials to practice test-taking skills and ensure the quality of training meets the commitments made to students.

The state management agency does not directly manage the content and format of international exams; it exercises control according to the general legal framework regarding operating conditions, quality commitments, information disclosure, and handling of violations if any.

In the event that a center unexpectedly closes or becomes financially insolvent, as has happened recently, what mechanisms does the Department have in place to protect the rights of students and assist them in transferring to another school or receiving a refund, Madam?

Circular No. 21/2018/TT-BGDĐT stipulates that organizations and individuals establishing centers must be responsible for all activities of the center, including responsibility for resolving issues related to learners, finances, assets, and other arising obligations.

According to Decree No. 125/2024/ND-CP, upon ceasing operations, educational institutions must have a plan to ensure the rights of learners. Tuition fee collection at centers must comply with current regulations, which stipulate that fees cannot be collected for more than nine months; tuition payments are established based on a civil agreement between the center and the learners.

In the event that the center ceases operation, the People's Committee of the commune, within its delegated authority, will take action.

Specifically, the inter-agency coordination involves conducting inspections, verifications, and handling violations within their jurisdiction (if any); for matters exceeding their authority, they proactively coordinate and report to the Department of Education and Training and relevant agencies for handling according to regulations; receiving information and feedback from students; guiding and supporting students in working with training institutions to resolve issues related to tuition fees, study programs, and student rights according to regulations; and coordinating and connecting with qualified centers operating in the area to support students who need to transfer their studies, based on voluntary agreements between the parties.

Currently, the law does not stipulate a general tuition fee guarantee mechanism for this type of foreign language center; protecting learners' rights is carried out through the legal responsibility of the center's founders and related civil and administrative legal mechanisms.

The Hanoi Department of Education and Training recommends that parents and students choose licensed facilities with the correct operating locations and carefully review the terms and conditions regarding tuition fees and refunds before registering; conduct financial transactions with complete contracts and documents to ensure their rights are protected.

Given the proliferation of self-organized test preparation centers on social media, what is the Department's plan to standardize these activities so that Hanoi can have a transparent and high-quality environment for foreign language teaching and learning, Madam?

The Department continues to strengthen state management in a transparent, open, and legally compliant manner, with the interests of learners at the center. Key measures include reviewing and publicly disclosing the full list of licensed centers; strengthening coordination among inter-agency bodies of the city and communes/wards to inspect and handle establishments operating outside their licensed locations or engaging in advertising, student recruitment, or teaching activities that violate regulations; coordinating with relevant agencies in managing foreign workers, security, order, and financial obligations; and promoting awareness campaigns to help parents and students identify and choose legitimate institutions.

Regarding online foreign language teaching and learning activities, especially spontaneous forms on social media platforms, the Department has identified this as an area requiring further improvement in management mechanisms.

Accordingly, the Department will direct and guide the People's Committees of communes to coordinate with relevant agencies (responsible for information management, communication, and cybersecurity) to review, detect, and handle acts of false advertising and the organization of fee-based teaching activities that violate regulations; and propose to the Ministry of Education and Training to research and issue standards and criteria for evaluating and accrediting the quality of non-school foreign language training activities, including digital learning methods, as a basis for unified management and improvement of training quality.

Thank you very much, Madam!

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/bai-cuoi-khuyen-nghi-phu-huynh-hoc-sinh-lua-chon-co-so-duoc-cap-phep-20260421114452358.htm