Inspection of extracurricular tutoring in Ho Chi Minh City: What conclusions did the Ministry of Education and Training reach?

(NLĐO) - Some parents disagree with certain new regulations on tutoring and extra classes, believing they negatively impact their children's opportunities.

On March 21st, the Ministry of Education and Training inspected the management of extracurricular tutoring in Ho Chi Minh City. The inspection team from the Ministry of Education and Training worked with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training on the implementation of Circular 29 regulating extracurricular tutoring.

Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, said that before Circular 29 was issued, Ho Chi Minh City had already implemented management measures and thoroughly addressed the issue of extracurricular tutoring; intensified inspections and audits of tuition fee collection and expenditure… and requested the handling of violations. For many years now, Ho Chi Minh City has stopped organizing extracurricular tutoring within schools; and has proactively focused on teaching and learning within schools.

According to Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong, Circular 29 has led to better management of extracurricular tutoring activities.

Following Circular 29, the Department of Education and Training advised the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to issue guiding documents and directives on many implementation contents, resolutely preventing illegal tutoring and extra classes in schools; directing that test questions should not put pressure on students; and not neglecting the preparation and review of students, identifying this as the responsibility of the schools…

The Department of Education and Training also requested schools to review their educational plans, strengthen the management of two-session-per-day teaching, and assign teachers to support students, especially those in their final year. The Department has established inspection teams to monitor the management of extracurricular tutoring in the area; each locality has also proactively established its own inspection teams…

According to Mr. Nguyen Bao Quoc, Circular 29 provides a clear legal basis for teachers to conduct extracurricular tutoring outside of school in accordance with regulations. However, the difficulty lies in the lack of specific documents outlining criteria for inspecting such tutoring activities.

"Some parents disagree with the new regulations, arguing that they affect students' opportunities. It's difficult to determine whether certain clubs, such as life skills and STEM, offer extra tutoring, leading to difficulties for schools in organizing them. Furthermore, the allocated time of two extra lessons per week per subject is insufficient to adequately support students," Mr. Quoc reflected.

Mr. Trinh Vinh Thanh - Head of the Education and Training Department of Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City - offered his comments at the working session.

Mr. Trinh Vinh Thanh, Head of the Education and Training Department of Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, suggested that to effectively implement Circular 29, the Ministry of Education and Training should soon issue guidelines on inspecting the management of extracurricular tutoring to provide a legal basis for inspection and supervision. The Ministry of Education and Training should also promptly add content on STEM, STEAM, and life skills so that schools can organize these classes without violating Circular 29.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong stated that Ho Chi Minh City has many advantages in implementing Circular 29 because it has good facilities, many schools organize classes for two sessions per day. Ho Chi Minh City teaches effectively; student excellence competitions are organized objectively and fairly; and teachers are wholeheartedly dedicated to their students during regular class hours...

"Circular 29 was issued to better manage extracurricular tutoring activities, further improve the quality of regular school teaching; so that parents and students do not have to waste time because of widespread extracurricular tutoring," Mr. Thuong emphasized.

Delegates expressed their opinions at the meeting.

According to Mr. Pham Ngoc Thuong, managing extracurricular tutoring is not a new issue. Since 1996, the 8th Central Committee Resolution has clearly stated the alarming reality of widespread extracurricular tutoring. Over the years, many documents have been issued on this matter. However, extracurricular tutoring remains widespread, showing signs of distortion, causing many negative consequences and affecting the comprehensive development of students.

• Ho Chi Minh City: Surprise inspections uncover numerous violations related to tutoring and supplementary classes.

Therefore, the Ministry of Education and Training continues to issue Circular 29 regulating tutoring and supplementary classes. The Ministry of Education and Training does not prohibit tutoring and supplementary classes, but requires strict control, and violations will be dealt with.

"Circular 29 stipulates that when teaching extra classes in schools, each subject should only have 2 lessons per week to ensure effective teaching of the main curriculum, and does not encourage extra classes within the program; the goal is to eliminate extra classes and tutoring within schools. Extra classes and tutoring should be for talent development or advanced studies outside the curriculum," Mr. Thuong explained.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/kiem-tra-day-them-hoc-them-tai-tp-hcm-bo-gd-dt-ket-luan-gi-196250321173220434.htm