Teachers are under pressure because of... parents.

Recently, the results of the "Study on the lives of teachers in the Southern region: An experiment in Binh Thuan , Tay Ninh, and Hau Giang provinces" conducted by the Institute for Policy Development, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, showed that teachers face significant pressure from parents. Up to 70.21% of teachers reported being under pressure or experiencing intense pressure from parents; 40.63% of teachers had considered changing professions due to emotional abuse from parents…

The researchers conducted interviews with 132 education administrators and teachers at all levels, and carried out a large-scale survey of 12,505 teachers in the three aforementioned localities during September and October.

Reporters from Thanh Niên newspaper recorded these true stories from real life.

Teachers demand disciplinary action against teacher for failing to assist student with toilet use.

"Why is the classroom so small?", on the first day of school, a parent whose child was in 6th grade (at a public school in Ho Chi Minh City) questioned the principal. Meanwhile, at a public primary school in the city center, a parent complained to the teacher about the lack of air conditioning, a projector, and a television in the classroom. The principal had to explain to all the parents that, as a public school, due to budget constraints, they could only provide the minimum necessary equipment for teaching and learning.

Many preschools are now equipped with cameras to increase transparency, but many parents also monitor the cameras, finding fault with teachers and school staff, adding more pressure on the teachers.

PHOTO: DAO NGOC THACH

Speaking to a reporter from Thanh Nien newspaper, the principal said that with the modernization of society, parents are increasingly concerned about and supportive of their children's studies, which is a positive sign. Many parents are actively working with teachers to build an effective and happy school environment. However, some parents put too much pressure on their children and teachers. Many have excessive demands on the teaching staff and school employees.

"One parent reacted very strongly to me, demanding disciplinary action against the first-grade homeroom teacher because… the teacher didn't go into the toilet to assist a student when they needed to use the restroom at school. Even during the first-grade orientation activities, we had already instructed the children about the restroom area and safe procedures, and we explained that elementary school is different from preschool; the homeroom teacher can't teach and assist over 30 students in the class with using the toilet at the same time. But this parent refused to listen. The first-grade teacher that year was so exhausted that she requested a transfer," the principal recounted.

There are also parents who interfere in communication between students in the classroom. The principal shared an incident where a parent stormed into the school during dismissal time, telling their child, "Show me who hit you, so I can deal with them." Or, after hearing their child talk about teachers or friends in class, the parent, without even asking the homeroom teacher for the full story, immediately calls the principal, demanding action against the teacher or school staff, and requesting that the student in question be punished for "threatening" their child…

Showing too much concern for students also leads to questions.

A secondary school teacher in Ho Chi Minh City said that to perform their professional duties well, meet the increasingly high demands of the job, apply digital transformation in teaching, and effectively implement the 2018 General Education Program, each teacher is under a lot of stress, must learn continuously, and cannot avoid pressure. However, the pressure from professional work is nothing compared to the difficulties teachers face in interacting with parents and students, handling students who violate discipline, etc.

"Some parents say, 'We leave everything to the teacher,' but when the teacher is strict with the student, they refuse to accept it and react negatively to the teacher. In some cases, I feel that parents and the school haven't found common ground. When problems arise, parents don't choose to meet directly with the homeroom teacher to discuss them, but instead opt for solutions like posting the story on parent groups or social media, even without knowing the truth or falsehood of the matter," this female teacher shared.

The teacher added that when students first enter 6th grade, each teacher, upon taking over the class, needs to observe and monitor the students' academic performance as well as their attitudes and behavior. If anything unusual is noticed, the teacher needs to tactfully discuss the matter with the parents so that the child can be taken for a medical check-up and health assessment. However, some parents, when spoken to by the teacher, feel that the teacher is discriminating against their children. Some even say, "Why are you always paying attention to my child? What do you mean by asking my child those questions?" After many such incidents, the female teacher became worried and didn't know how to properly inquire about and care for her students…

The principal of a primary school in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, explained that the school always hopes to receive constructive and positive feedback from parents. However, some parents scrutinize and find fault with the school and teachers in every little detail. When discussing matters with their children's teachers, they even use condescending language…

WE HOPE FOR TRUST AND EMPATHY FROM PARENTS

Ms. Vo Bao Dao Diem, Principal of Nguyen Thi Thap Secondary School, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, said that at the beginning of each school year, she usually meets and discusses with parents about the school's goals and objectives, the most important of which is the holistic development of the children. Besides many kind parents who always support and make positive contributions to the school's development, providing spiritual resources for the staff, there are still a few parents who do not yet "understand".

Parents work together with the school to create a happy learning environment.

photo; jade digging

Therefore, the message that Ms. Diem sent to parents was to always trust the school. Trust is the important glue that binds the relationship between family and school.

"We hope parents will understand the difficulties and hardships of the teaching profession today. Besides teaching in the classroom, teachers have to handle a multitude of unnamed tasks. In addition to improving and updating their knowledge to perform their role well, each teacher must also manage the classroom and care for students in terms of academic quality, physical health, and mental well-being. Each class has around 40 students, each with their own personality, posing a significant challenge for teachers. To support the teachers, we sincerely hope that parents will empathize, understand, and share. A happy school requires happy students and happy teachers. The role of parents in creating this is not insignificant," Ms. Vo Bao Dao Diem confided. (to be continued)

Teachers are being "bullied" both in real life and on social media.

The press has reported on numerous cases of teachers being "bullied" both in real life and on social media. Thanh Nien newspaper once published the opinions of many preschool teachers who said they faced pressure when they made a mistake, with parents posting complaints about them on social media. In May 2023, after giving a student an average conduct grade after numerous violations, teacher VTKQ (Dak Glong District, Dak Nong Province ) was assaulted by a parent at her home. Prior to that, the parent had repeatedly called and used insulting language towards Ms. VTKQ. And in October 2023, the Vice Principal of Ham Tan High School (Binh Thuan Province) was attacked at home by a parent and several strangers, resulting in a broken nose and drooping eyelid, requiring emergency medical treatment…

Parents put pressure on their children, which in turn puts pressure on teachers?

Ms. QT, a parent with children attending primary and secondary school in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, shared: "To be fair, there are many teachers with strange personalities, but there are also many parents who are very peculiar and constantly find fault with teachers. Parents need to work alongside teachers in the process of educating and caring for their children, and shouldn't excessively defend their children. Because more than anyone else, we must understand our children's personalities. If we see our children making mistakes, we should scold them first, not the teachers."

Ms. TN, a parent residing in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, frankly stated: "Many parents nowadays force their children to attend numerous extra classes, all week long, from Monday to Sunday, and even until 9 or 10 PM. Parents increase pressure and expectations for their children, which in turn increases pressure on the teachers. Therefore, by reducing the pressure on their children, parents also help reduce some of the pressure on the teachers."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giao-vien-ap-luc-vi-phu-huynh-185241204154852588.htm