Hopefully, the ambiguity surrounding related subjects will end soon.

Responding to a reporter from Thanh Nien newspaper, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, an education expert and advisor on developing general education curricula for private schools in Vietnam, stated that ideally, all supplementary activities for students in foreign languages, computer skills, etc., should be free of charge. However, in reality, many institutions lack sufficient resources.

Dr. Huyen affirmed that there are two key issues that the school needs to address to definitively resolve the outstanding problems and concerns in the process of organizing supplementary activities, "voluntary" courses, and collaborative programs.

Parents want an end to all the ambiguity and confusion surrounding joint courses disguised as "voluntary" programs.

Photo: phcc

First, the school's resources must be considered; if it cannot yet provide sufficient supplementary activities for students, then these activities should not be implemented.

Secondly, if implemented, it must have the consent of all students, or a sufficiently large number of parents. Furthermore, the school must be able to arrange alternative educational activities for students who do not participate, if these activities fall within the students' school hours.

Dr. Huyen emphasized that if schools organize supplementary activities and programs interspersed within students' timetables, but parents do not register their children for these activities due to lack of need or financial capacity, then "the school must take responsibility for arranging purposeful educational activities so that parents can make choices." In particular, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen affirmed: "Currently, the government also provides additional support for teachers. Teachers should strive to improve their professional skills to provide more educational programs for students, minimizing reliance on external services. For example, teachers within the school can also teach life skills, reading, etc. Outsourcing is truly difficult in terms of scheduling and quality control."

On the morning of December 17th, Mr. NCC, a parent residing in Xuan Thoi Son commune, Ho Chi Minh City, shared with a reporter from Thanh Nien newspaper: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Thanh Nien newspaper for truthfully reflecting the troubling reality of joint, 'voluntary' subjects in public schools with numerous articles over a long period. This issue has been further highlighted by the strong and timely directives of the General Secretary."

To Lam said, "Schools cannot be turned into service establishments." I urgently request the General Secretary to direct more decisive action. A comprehensive inspection and strict handling of individuals and units exploiting their positions to conduct business services within schools are necessary. Simultaneously, transparent and decisive regulations should be issued to put an end to all ambiguity and vagueness surrounding joint courses under the guise of "voluntary participation." Only then will the humane policy of waiving tuition fees for all students nationwide truly reach the people."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mong-som-cham-dut-canh-nhap-nhang-cac-mon-lien-ket-185251217231758082.htm