A Law on Teachers is necessary.

The teaching license is expected to enhance the status of teachers. Photo: Quang Vinh.

Regarding concerns about whether requiring a professional license for teachers constitutes a sub-license, Mr. Vu Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Teachers and Management Staff (Ministry of Education and Training), stated that the draft Law on Teachers has considered a smooth transition plan for 1.6 million teachers recruited into the profession before the law takes effect. Accordingly, these teachers will automatically be granted a professional license without requiring an assessment. Furthermore, retired teachers, if they so wish, will also be granted a professional license to acknowledge their contributions to education or to continue their professional activities.

Representatives from the Drafting Committee of the Law on Teachers shared that, based on research into international experience and several sectors/fields, the Committee proposes and anticipates that a basic professional practice certificate will have a positive impact on teachers and educational institutions. The professional practice certificate is valid nationwide, meaning that teachers will not need to repeat the probationary period regardless of where they teach. Furthermore, possessing a professional practice certificate will simplify procedures for teachers when transferring and signing indefinite or fixed-term employment contracts, or when teaching at multiple schools.

The drafting committee plans to revise and remove the current requirement for professional development certificates for teachers. Professional certificates ensure compliance with many requirements of international integration, facilitating teacher exchanges between countries, and especially improving the quality control of foreign individuals working in education in Vietnam.

Concerned about this issue, many experts share the view that a Law on Teachers must include provisions on professional ethics. Professor Nguyen Thi My Loc, former Rector of the University of Education (Vietnam National University , Hanoi ), argues that it is no coincidence that teachers are honored by society. Therefore, teachers who want to practice their profession must possess professional ethics. Professional ethics for teachers is both an honor and a responsibility, and it creates the status of the teaching profession.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Thai Hung - Vice Rector of the University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) believes that the introduction of mandatory regulations on the issuance of professional certificates for teachers will be a fundamental change contributing to ensuring the quality of the teaching staff, in terms of professional knowledge, skills, and professional ethics.

Agreeing with the opinion that teachers need professional certification, Dr. Pham Do Nhat Tien stated that, globally , when a field becomes a profession, it represents a significant shift in the concept. For a job to become a profession, the workforce must have a code of professional ethics, professional certification, and a professional organization. When teaching is declared a profession, it naturally elevates the status of teaching and requires teachers to possess professional certification.

"This confirms that teaching is no longer an amateur activity but a professional one, and teachers have become professional educators," Mr. Tien stated.

According to experts, professional certification linked to professional ethics not only helps improve the quality of education but also protects the rights of learners by ensuring they are educated by highly qualified professionals with strong ethical standards. Adherence to these requirements also strengthens public trust in the education system and supports the professional development of teachers.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/can-thiet-phai-co-luat-nha-giao-10280697.html