'Even if extra classes are voluntary, you should not charge for them'

Head of the Delegation Affairs Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai proposed adding a regulation stating that even if parents voluntarily enroll their children in extra classes, teachers should not be allowed to collect fees.

The above content was mentioned when giving opinions on some major issues in the draft Law on Teachers, at the 42nd session of the National Assembly Standing Committee this morning (February 7).

The draft Law on Teachers stipulates many things that teachers are not allowed to do, including "forcing students to participate in extra classes in any form." In addition, teachers are not allowed to force students to pay money or give gifts beyond what is stipulated by law.

Head of the Delegation Affairs Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai. (Photo: quochoi.vn)

According to Nguyen Thanh Hai, Head of the Delegation Affairs Committee, tutoring and extra classes take "myriad forms," ​​so while a list of prohibited behaviors for teachers might suffice for the present, it will not be enough for the future.

Therefore, she suggested adding a provision that would empower the government to provide detailed regulations, making it easier to handle new behaviors when they arise.

Regarding the practice of forcing students to participate in extra classes in any form, and compelling them to pay money or provide goods outside of regulations, the Head of the Delegation Affairs Committee requested further clarification. It is necessary to clearly stipulate that teachers are not allowed to collect money from extra classes, as per the recently issued regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training on extra classes.

" We need clearer regulations on prohibited behaviors, such as forcing students to participate in extra classes in any form. So, if it's voluntary, is that still permissible? However, I suggest that even if it's voluntary, no money should be charged ," Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai emphasized, adding that this is to thoroughly address and put an end to disguised forms of extra classes.

Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai analyzed that the regulation prohibiting forcing students to participate in extra classes means that if students voluntarily choose to attend extra classes, it is still permitted. This regulation leads to the situation of "disguised" coercion in the form of parents writing "voluntary extra class" applications.

" It's difficult to determine whether it's compulsory or not. If it's not compulsory, there are voluntary applications for extra classes, and parents also have to write voluntary applications. Young students may not want to go to school, but if they don't, they face discrimination ," said Ms. Nguyen Thanh Hai.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son. (Photo: quochoi.vn)

In further explanation, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that the Ministry will continue to research and consider the matter, but believes that detailed regulations should be specified in sub-legal documents. " For example, there is a separate circular on tutoring and supplementary classes. Adding more details would make it difficult to cover everything ," the Minister said.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/hoc-them-du-tu-nguyen-cung-khong-duoc-thu-tien-ar924278.html