Supplementary tutoring in education: A thorough understanding from practical experience.

The policy of amending some provisions of Circular 29/2024 on tutoring and supplementary classes, while having a positive direction, still has many remaining issues.

The policy of tightening regulations on extracurricular tutoring is generating diverse opinions in society. From the perspective of teachers and parents – two groups directly involved with schools – this policy can be seen as having positive goals, but it still needs to be viewed cautiously and comprehensively, based on classroom realities.

The situation seems to have no end in sight.

Most teachers acknowledge that addressing the negative aspects of private tutoring is necessary. Years of experience have shown that in some areas, students have been forced to attend extra classes, and regular curriculum content has been reduced to "keep up with the times," distorting the image of teachers and causing public outrage. The issuance of regulations to prevent these practices is something that genuine teachers support.

However, from our teaching experience, we have found that applying regulations rigidly would be impractical. Large class sizes, uneven student abilities, limited lesson time, and the new curriculum requiring many integrated experiential learning sessions make it almost impossible to fully implement individualized teaching.

Meanwhile, exam content at all levels of education has not been updated, and in some cases has even become more difficult than before, with a greater emphasis on academic knowledge. If students don't attend extra classes and teachers don't provide systematic training, it will be difficult to achieve the required educational efficiency. Many teachers recognize that students have knowledge gaps and are not keeping up with the curriculum, but lack the resources to provide more in-depth support during regular class time, thus requiring additional tutoring.

In addition, there's the issue of income. With current salaries, especially in large cities, living solely on salary remains a challenge for many teachers. In this context, tutoring for some teachers is not only a way to improve their living standards but also stems from a desire to help students learn more thoroughly and confidently for exams. When all tutoring activities are viewed negatively, many teachers believe this is not truly fair.

Streamlining the curriculum and reforming the examination system to make it less burdensome will help change perceptions about tutoring and extra classes. Photo: DANG TRINH

A comprehensive alternative solution is needed.

From a parent's perspective, the policy of tightening regulations on extracurricular tutoring has received considerable support. Many parents want their children to have a reduced academic workload, more time to rest, and develop skills beyond textbooks. Not having to attend extra classes also helps alleviate financial pressure for many families.

However, this agreement is accompanied by very specific concerns. The current curriculum is considered demanding, while entrance exams for high school, high school graduation, and university admissions still play a decisive role. Many parents wonder whether studying only during regular school hours is enough for their children to meet the academic and exam requirements.

A comprehensive alternative is needed, a more holistic and substantive educational reform. Despite their different perspectives, teachers and parents share a common goal: a desire for a healthy educational environment where students learn genuinely, understand truly, and are free from the hidden pressure of extra tutoring and supplementary classes.

Neither teachers nor parents support coercive or exploitative tutoring practices. However, they also acknowledge that the need for voluntary tutoring, stemming from the genuine needs of learners, is undeniable in the current era.

Based on this reality, many opinions suggest that the issue should not stop at "to ban or not to ban," but should focus on comprehensive solutions: streamlining the curriculum, reforming assessment methods, and reducing exam pressure. In addition, organizing tutoring and professional development activities in schools in a transparent and open manner, with appropriate compensation mechanisms for teachers, is crucial. Simultaneously, improving salary policies is necessary so that teachers can feel secure in their profession.

Tightening regulations on tutoring and extra classes is a policy reflecting a desire to build a fair, disciplined, and healthy educational environment. However, education is a unique field, directly linked to people and social life. Therefore, any policy based solely on administrative orders without listening to practical realities is very likely to become merely a formality.

Concerns about educational opportunity disparities

Another concern raised is the risk of increasing inequality in education. With stricter regulations on extracurricular tutoring within schools, affluent families can easily access private tutors, high-quality centers, or online courses. The reality is that extracurricular tutoring still occurs, albeit with some hesitation or under different names. Conversely, students from disadvantaged families have almost no alternative. From a parent's perspective, without accompanying support measures, tightening regulations on extracurricular tutoring could inadvertently create disparities in educational opportunities.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/day-them-hoc-them-nhin-nhan-thau-dao-tu-thuc-tien-196251218214457233.htm