Limiting the disclosure of teacher misconduct: Should we?

TPO - The proposal to not publicize teachers' violations until there is a conclusion from the Ministry of Education and Training helps reduce pressure, but in the long run, it may affect teachers.

Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training sought opinions on the draft Law on Teachers, which proposed not to publicize information about teachers' violations until there is an official conclusion from a competent authority.

Responding to the press, Mr. Vu Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Teachers andEducational Managers, explained that this is to protect teachers in their professional activities. According to him, teachers, in addition to imparting expertise, must also set an example for students. Meanwhile, social networks have posted a lot of unverified information, and it is not known whether there are violations or not.

"This creates great pressure, affecting the reputation and honor of teachers, especially with students and parents," said Mr. Duc.

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh, a Chemistry and Biology teacher at a secondary school in Hanoi, believes that this proposal is humane for teachers. In reality, teachers today face many risks and pressures.

"Sometimes teachers don't mean it that way, but when the matter has not yet been officially concluded, it is posted online, causing teachers to be sentenced early and the matter to be pushed away," she said.

Ms. Thoa, vice principal of a secondary school in the suburbs of Hanoi, said that the Ministry's proposal was appropriate. In the digital age, information posted online can be accessed forever.

“I think the proposal is humane, but if it is not clearly defined, it will easily lead to information concealment. Therefore, we should be flexible. Any problem that does not cause serious consequences and can be resolved internally should be given opportunities for teachers. Because anyone can make mistakes, and if the past haunts them forever, it will be difficult for teachers,” Ms. Thoa shared.

Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Principal of the University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), said the Ministry's proposal was appropriate.

According to Mr. Nam, this proposal needs to be considered in a practical context. Many cases can be resolved, but parents are afraid to discuss directly, complaining online is based on one-sided information, adding salt and pepper.

“This has a negative impact on the industry and the image of teachers. This proposal represents a humane approach that everyone has the right to make mistakes without being haunted by the past if they have corrected and improved,” Mr. Nam said.
Should there be an exemption?

Education researcher Nguyen Quoc Vuong acknowledged that teachers are also citizens and, moreover, they are civil servants (public schools) or people working in education at schools and educational institutions (private), so being subject to supervision by society, public opinion, and the press is of course not exempt.

According to Mr. Vuong, public opinion including the press, people, and citizens have the right to monitor, criticize, and implement other methods considered legal by law when discovering teachers' violations.

"If such a regulation is set up, it will make people feel that teachers are an exempt class and educational institutions have an excuse to hide information, which is harmful to the development of education and violates the rights of students and people," Mr. Vuong stated his opinion.

According to Mr. Vuong, this proposal also goes against the spirit of openness, transparency, and democracy that society is aiming for.

“Publicizing violations may initially cause a stir and may more or less affect teachers and facilities that do well, but in the long run it will make adjustments to make education better. On the contrary, if it is hidden, people will gradually lose trust and education will face great risks,” said Mr. Vuong.

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Source: https://tienphong.vn/han-che-cong-khai-sai-pham-giao-vien-co-nen-khong-post1684820.tpo