Is it prohibited to give extra English lessons to primary school students?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - After 10 months of implementing the new regulations on tutoring, many teachers are still wondering whether tutoring English for primary school students falls within the prohibited scope.

Understanding the concept of "extra tutoring" correctly.

According to Circular 29, tutoring for primary school students is prohibited in all forms, both inside and outside of school.

However, the Circular also clearly defines what constitutes supplementary teaching and learning. Accordingly, supplementary teaching and learning is an additional teaching and learning activity beyond the time allotted in the educational plan for subjects and educational activities in the General Education Program, the Continuing Education Program at the lower secondary level, and the Continuing Education Program at the upper secondary level issued by the Ministry.

Based on this definition, many educational activities currently being implemented for primary school students are identified as falling outside the scope of Circular 29, including teaching English using separate curricula, teaching critical thinking in mathematics, life skills, etc.

English teacher instructs students in mountainous areas (Photo: Marie Curie).

Teaching English outside of textbooks is not considered tutoring.

Regarding concerns about organizing extra English classes for primary school students, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) has provided specific responses, clarifying the boundary between extracurricular educational activities and violations of regulations on supplementary teaching and learning.

A typical example is Ms. Nguyen Lan in Thanh Hoa , who has adequate facilities for English tutoring and teachers with guaranteed professional qualifications and degrees. Her tutoring center does not teach students taught by teachers from schools, nor does it follow textbooks or the 2018 General Education Program. Instead, it focuses on subjects such as Cambridge and IOE exam preparation, basic phonetics, and basic grammar.

Under those conditions, the Ministry of Education and Training affirms that Ms. Lan's center's organization of classes for preschool and primary school students is legal.

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy An in Vinh Long is a freelance teacher who teaches conversational English and life skills using her own curriculum, not standard textbooks. The Ministry of Education and Training emphasizes that Ms. An's activities are not considered supplementary teaching according to the regulations of Circular 29.

Another case involves Ms. Ho Thi Tram, a junior high school English teacher in Da Nang. Ms. Tram asks whether, according to Circular No. 29 and the Law on Teachers, she is permitted to teach English to elementary school students using the communicative method.

The Ministry determined that Ms. Tram did not teach according to the 2018 General Education Program, but instead focused on developing skills and taught using a self-compiled curriculum and teaching materials.

She teaches at a registered business establishment in accordance with the law, and also reports to the principal of her current workplace. Therefore, her teaching English outside the scope of the general education curriculum does not fall within the regulations and application of Circular 29.

Circular 29, regulating supplementary tutoring, was issued at the end of 2024 and came into effect on February 14, 2025. The circular prohibits teachers from providing supplementary tutoring in the following cases: tutoring primary school students, tutoring students in regular classes for a fee, and tutoring without business registration.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/day-them-tieng-anh-cho-hoc-sinh-tieu-hoc-co-bi-cam-20251218110258608.htm