It is difficult to regulate extracurricular tutoring.

Many argue that the lack of specific criteria and regulations makes it difficult to control and manage extracurricular tutoring activities.

C. CLEAR CRITERIA AND FUNDING LEVELS FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR TUTORING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL

Circular 29 on the management of extracurricular tutoring stipulates that those providing extracurricular tutoring must possess professional competence appropriate to the subject they teach. However, many argue that there is currently no specific basis for determining and verifying this, causing difficulties in management and inspection during implementation. It is proposed that the Ministry of Education and Training research and supplement specific regulations on criteria or bases for determining the professional competence of extracurricular tutors, providing a foundation for management, inspection, and supervision during implementation.

In response to this opinion, the Ministry of Education and Training stated that tutoring and supplementary classes are not included in the list of conditional investment and business sectors as stipulated by the Investment Law, therefore the circular does not set out a separate system of professional criteria and conditions. The determination of professional competence is carried out according to relevant legal regulations through diplomas, certificates, and current professional records.

Regarding the cost of extracurricular tutoring, there are concerns about the regulation of tuition fees for extracurricular tutoring, which is based on agreements between parents, students, and tutoring centers. However, the lack of a framework or ceiling for these fees makes it difficult to control the amount charged. It is suggested that the Ministry of Education and Training supplement regulations on a framework or ceiling for extracurricular tutoring fees to ensure transparency, accountability, and suitability to the economic conditions of each region.

Extracurricular tutoring is a topic that has received much feedback in the draft amendment to the circular regulating extracurricular tutoring.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

The Ministry of Education and Training explained: The authority to specifically regulate the management of extracurricular tutoring activities in a locality, including necessary content appropriate to the socio-economic conditions of each locality, belongs to the Provincial People's Committee. The regulation of fees based on agreement, along with the requirement for transparency, is consistent with the nature of extracurricular tutoring; the issuance of a framework or ceiling, if necessary, will be considered and decided by the locality, ensuring flexibility and consistency with the current decentralization and delegation of authority mechanism.

However, many Departments of Education and Training, when participating in providing feedback on the draft amendment to Circular 29 on tutoring, pointed out that although there are regulations on the management responsibility of commune-level authorities for tutoring facilities, the current staff at the commune level are small, mostly holding multiple positions, leading to difficulties in fully performing their management responsibilities as prescribed.

Therefore, it is suggested that the Ministry of Education and Training research and supplement regulations or specific guidelines on coordination mechanisms and professional support to improve the effectiveness of managing extracurricular tutoring activities at the commune level.

However, the Ministry of Education and Training affirms that the content of assignment, coordination, and support in managing extracurricular tutoring activities falls under the specific authority of the provincial People's Committee. The amended circular does not provide detailed regulations to ensure the principle of decentralization and delegation of power and to be consistent with the actual conditions of the locality.

C. THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS REGARDING THE NUMBER OF LESSONS, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS...

The An Giang Department of Education and Training is concerned that the draft revised circular does not specifically regulate the number of extra teaching hours, the number of students per class, as well as requirements to ensure student safety, the pedagogical environment, the professional qualifications and pedagogical skills of teachers (in cases where the teacher is not a teacher of any educational institution), and the physical conditions for extra teaching and learning activities outside of school.

The drafting agency of the Ministry of Education and Training responded that extracurricular tutoring activities are related to many legal regulations under the management authority of local governments. The draft circular aims to regulate the management principles and responsibilities of educational institutions, teachers, and related organizations and individuals, focusing on preventing negative practices and ensuring fairness in general education, and does not aim to create a detailed system of conditions equivalent to regulations on conditional business sectors.

Regulations on the number of class periods and class sizes for extracurricular classes only apply to supplementary teaching and learning within schools, ensuring compliance with specialized laws and regulations stipulated in the general school charter. The safety of students, the educational environment, the condition of facilities, and the standards of teachers are currently regulated by relevant laws such as those concerning education, labor, fire safety, health , public security, and local government regulations.

The draft circular adopts an approach that requires full compliance with current legal regulations, while also assigning responsibility to local education management agencies for guidance, inspection, and supervision in accordance with actual conditions.

The draft requires teachers to report in detail about the subject, location, format, and even "their relationship with the business entity registered." Regarding this, some argue that although the document states this is not a "permission requirement," having to explain when a relative is registered as a business owner could create feelings of apprehension, excessive scrutiny, or discrimination at the workplace.

The Ministry of Education and Training explained: "The above regulation is not a condition to restrict teachers' right to give extra lessons, nor is it discriminatory, but rather a necessary management measure, consistent with the requirement to strengthen discipline and accountability in the educational environment."

Students left the extra classes when it was already dark.

Photo: Nhat Thinh

HOW ARE EXAMINER TEACHING AND MONITORING CONDUCTED OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL?

There were also suggestions to specify the number of inspections of tutoring activities. Specifically: "Inspections of tutoring activities should be conducted at least twice a school year; according to the principles of transparency, objectivity, and within the proper authority; promptly detecting and handling violations in accordance with the law; and strictly punishing cases of deliberate violations."

However, according to the Ministry of Education and Training, rigidly specifying the number of inspections and audits in the circular could create administrative pressure, be inconsistent with the principle of risk-based management, and not ensure flexibility in implementation at the local level. The principles, authority, procedures, and handling of violations in inspections and audits are already fully regulated in the law on inspections, audits, and handling of violations and repeat offenses. The draft approach is to empower the competent management agency to develop appropriate inspection and audit plans based on the actual situation, ensuring effective management, avoiding duplication, and not creating new regulations or procedures.

Meanwhile, representatives from Tran Van Lam High School (Ca Mau) suggested that the management agency should closely inspect and supervise the extracurricular tutoring activities of teachers, and argued that there is still a situation where teachers provide extracurricular tutoring outside of school in violation of regulations (especially at the primary school level).

The Ministry of Education and Training stated that the draft regulations have added provisions for establishing and publicizing hotlines to receive feedback at all levels of management, from educational institutions and commune-level People's Committees to the Departments of Education and Training. This is a solution aimed at strengthening social oversight, promptly receiving and handling feedback and suggestions, contributing to preventing violations, and ensuring that regulations on tutoring and supplementary classes are implemented seriously and in accordance with the law.

At the same time, the draft also adds regulations and innovates the approach to inspection and examination towards transparency, objectivity, and proper authority; prioritizing reminders, corrections, and guidance for rectification for first-time violations that have not caused serious consequences; and strictly handling cases of deliberate violations, repeat offenses, coercion, or profiteering from tutoring activities.

The Ministry of Education and Training responds to the proposal regarding extra tutoring at the primary school level.

The Ministry of Education and Training's compilation of feedback on the draft amendment to the circular regulating supplementary teaching and learning shows that there are still suggestions to allow supplementary teaching and learning in primary schools when parents have a need, under the supervision of the management level.

Regarding this group of recommendations, the Ministry of Education and Training stated that according to the regulations in the 2018 General Education Program, teaching two sessions per day is mandatory for primary schools. "Schools are responsible for developing their own educational plans, ensuring educational quality, and organizing two-session teaching per day in accordance with regulations." Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training maintains its stance against allowing supplementary tutoring for primary school students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/kho-quan-duoc-day-them-ngoai-nha-truong-185260127153415647.htm