Don't let students become 'learning machines': Voters hope the Ministry of Education and Training will take strong action

The Ministry of Education and Training received voters' opinions related to educational issues before the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly.

According to voters, after Circular No. 29 regulating extra teaching and learning of the Ministry of Education and Training was implemented in practice, it brought about many important changes in educational management, contributing to reorienting the way of organizing teaching and learning in a healthier direction. However, the implementation of the current regulations on extra teaching and learning still has many shortcomings, causing difficulties for parents and students.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, organizing 2 sessions per day will reduce the rampant practice of extra teaching and learning.

Therefore, voters recommend that the Ministry of Education and Training study regulations suitable to the practical situation to effectively manage extra teaching and learning; to return education to its true essence, not turning students into "learning machines", "parrot learners" or tools for teachers to earn extra income.

At the same time, the Ministry of Education and Training also needs to consider and study reducing the curriculum, increasing extracurricular activities, experiences, and life skills learning to train future generations with physical health, mental health, and social health.

Teaching 2 sessions/day, limiting extra classes

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son answered voters that in recent times, the Ministry of Education and Training has implemented many solutions to manage extra teaching and learning activities, enhance the quality of regular school hours, increase accountability for the quality of education in schools, and provide time and space for students to experience, practice, and train through educational activities according to their individual needs for comprehensive development.

The Ministry of Education and Training has also advised the Prime Minister to issue an Official Dispatch on strengthening the direction of secondary school and high school enrollment and the management of extra teaching and learning activities.

Send documents to the People's Committees of provinces and cities to strengthen coordination in implementing Circular No. 29, requesting localities to allocate budget sources, increase mobilization of social resources to build enough schools and classes and ensure quality so that all students of universal education age can go to school, reduce pressure on enrollment to reduce extra teaching and learning.

Direct localities to actively improve the quality of teaching and learning during regular hours, diversify teaching methods and forms, increase the application of information technology; continue to innovate testing methods and forms, and not put pressure on students to study extra.

In particular, the Ministry of Education and Training has advised the Prime Minister to issue Directive No. 17/2025 on organizing 2 sessions/day of teaching and organizing summer activities for children and students in accordance with the direction of General Secretary To Lam: "Primary and secondary schools organize 2 sessions/day of teaching depending on the conditions of each locality in terms of facilities, finance and teachers; ....".

From there, reduce the widespread practice of extra teaching and learning and increase the organization of educational activities to develop students' qualities and abilities, while at the same time being consistent with the Party's policy of "free tuition for students" and "organizing 2 sessions of teaching/day", meeting the learning needs and developing the talents of each student.