How should tutoring and extra classes be changed?

When issuing Circular 29/2024, the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that its purpose was to better manage extracurricular tutoring.

The Ministry is not prohibiting or restricting this activity. However, after this circular was issued, many conflicting opinions emerged.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has recently sent a document to several provincial Departments of Education and Training to solicit feedback on the draft Circular amending and supplementing Circular 29/2024 regulating supplementary teaching and learning. Following this, the MOET will post the draft on its official website for relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals to provide comments.

Several contents are expected to be revised and supplemented.

According to Circular 29, there are three categories of students allowed to attend extra classes within the school (free of charge, only for students who register for extra classes in specific subjects). These are: students whose end-of-semester grades in the preceding semester were below the required level; students selected by the school for advanced training; and final-year students who voluntarily register for entrance exam preparation or graduation exam preparation according to the school's educational plan.

Regarding the duration of extra classes in schools, Circular 29 stipulates that each subject may have no more than 2 extra classes per week.

In the future, the Ministry of Education and Training plans to allow more flexibility regarding the duration of extra classes in schools, by empowering the directors of provincial Departments of Education and Training to make decisions in cases where school principals propose it.

Many schools organize free extra classes and review sessions for their students. Photo: DANG TRINH

Specifically, according to the draft of the new circular, school principals, based on practical conditions regarding facilities, teaching staff, time allocated for the second teaching session according to the school's educational plan, and budget allocation, will consider the necessity and appropriateness of supplementing the teaching and learning time for certain groups of students in the school; and propose it to the Director of the Department of Education and Training for consideration and decision.

Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that these amendments and additions still ensure the core principles of Circular 29 on managing extracurricular tutoring in schools. These principles are: not charging students fees, not increasing academic pressure, and not restricting their right to education.

The draft circular also adjusts the business registration requirements for organizations or individuals participating in extracurricular tutoring activities that charge students fees, in order to comply with the provisions of the Enterprise Law regarding the diversification of business types. The draft also adds regulations on regularly updating information on the electronic portal or posting it at the tutoring facility's location, aiming to publicly disclose information about extracurricular tutoring organizations so that society can monitor them promptly and effectively.

In addition, this draft circular stipulates stricter regulations regarding reporting by teachers currently teaching at schools who also participate in extracurricular tutoring. Accordingly, teachers must report before starting extracurricular tutoring and must update the report whenever there are changes. This regulation aims to strengthen the principal's responsibility in managing teachers.

Another change is that the People's Committee at the commune level will manage, guide, and inspect tutoring activities in their area; and handle or recommend to the competent authority to handle violations if they occur.

Reduce rigid regulations, increase transparency.

When issuing Circular 29 previously, the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that its purpose was to better manage tutoring and supplementary classes, not to prohibit or restrict this activity.

However, education experts say that since Circular 29 was issued, many conflicting opinions have emerged. In particular, the "strict" regulation that each subject can only have no more than 2 extra lessons per week has attracted much attention.

Many teachers and parents believe that the limit of two extra lessons per week is insufficient to improve the abilities of weak students; there is not enough time for end-of-year review for students or intensive tutoring for gifted students.

According to the principal of a high school in Cau Giay ward, Hanoi , it's necessary to face the realities of teaching in junior and senior high schools, especially before each graduation exam or 10th-grade entrance exam. "Entering the peak exam preparation period, the amount of knowledge that students need to systematize, consolidate, and practice is enormous. If only two extra lessons per week per subject are allowed, neither teachers nor students will have enough time to review," he commented.

Furthermore, exam preparation sessions often extend into the summer. If the regulation of 2 lessons per week per subject, as stipulated in Circular 29, is strictly applied, schools will find it almost impossible to create a reasonable timetable. This is also why many students seek out tutoring centers outside of school, as they offer more flexible schedules, even though the quality may not be as good as when studying at school.

The aforementioned principal also expressed concerns about "special cases." According to him, the Ministry of Education and Training should clearly define the situations in which an increase in extra teaching hours is permitted, to avoid the need for schools to submit a proposal to the Department of Education and Training every time they want to increase hours. The Ministry of Education and Training should empower principals, requiring schools to develop extra teaching plans early in the school year, including the number of supplementary hours during peak review periods.

Amidst the persistent problem of unauthorized tutoring and arbitrary fee collection, which has caused much public outrage, an education expert believes that the draft circular stipulating the public disclosure of subjects, grade levels, schedules, teachers, and fees on the electronic information portal or posted at tutoring centers is reasonable. A teacher in Hanoi observed that this regulation provides parents with a basis for choosing tutoring classes, while allowing management agencies to monitor more effectively. This transparency also contributes to improving the professionalism of tutoring activities.

Regarding the requirement for regular teachers to report to the principal if they participate in extracurricular tutoring, the principal of a primary school in Yen Hoa ward, Hanoi, assessed this as a necessary step to ensure transparency in extracurricular tutoring activities. Having the school informed about teachers' extracurricular tutoring activities will facilitate closer coordination between all parties, thereby ensuring that tutoring is conducted in accordance with regulations.

We invite you to join the forum.

The Ministry of Education and Training emphasized that when amending and supplementing regulations on tutoring and supplementary classes, the core principle remains that these activities within schools are free of charge, do not increase academic pressure, and do not restrict students' right to education.

To reflect the actual situation regarding extracurricular tutoring in schools, and to contribute diverse opinions for amending and supplementing Circular 29, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper invites readers to send articles/opinions to giaoduc@nld.com.vn. We will sequentially publish relevant opinions in the print and online editions at nld.com.vn.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/day-them-hoc-them-nen-thay-doi-ra-sao-19625121421352618.htm