Recently, the Ministry of Education and Training issued Circular 29 regulating extra teaching and learning; replacing Circular 17/2012/TT-BGDDT dated May 16, 2012.

Before Circular 29 officially takes effect from February 14, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong had discussions about this new regulation:

- Mr. Deputy Minister, can you tell us what viewpoints and principles the Ministry of Education and Training has based on to develop and issue Circular 29?

Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong: The Circular regulating extra teaching and learning was developed this time with 5 viewpoints and principles.

Firstly, to implement the 2019 Law on Education , other relevant legal provisions must be in line with the practical situation in localities in the management of extra teaching and learning activities. At the same time, strictly implement the Prime Minister's direction in Document No. 41/TTg-QHDP dated January 10, 2024.

Second, the Ministry manages extra teaching and learning activities, but “does not prohibit”. It clearly defines which extra teaching and learning activities are in accordance with regulations and which are not in accordance with regulations so that authorities at all levels, organizations, individuals and the whole society can participate in monitoring, checking and inspecting during the implementation process. Therefore, this circular has added forces (authorities at all levels, relevant organizations and individuals) to participate in managing these activities.

Third, the organization of extra teaching and learning must ensure that it does not affect the organization and implementation of the school's educational program and does not affect the implementation of teachers' subject programs.

Fourth, organizing extra teaching and learning must ensure the interests of students, not force them; and preserve the image and dignity of teachers.

Fifth, extra teaching and learning must be consistent with the 2018 General Education Program, which has fundamentally changed from a content-oriented program to one that focuses on developing students' qualities and abilities. Forming qualities and abilities through the entire learning process and educational activities; forming students' methods, habits, and self-study abilities.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong.jpg
Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong.

- So what are the new points of the circular regulating extra teaching and learning to ensure the above viewpoints and principles, Deputy Minister?

The new circular stipulates that no extra teaching or learning is allowed for primary school students, except in cases of arts, sports , and life skills training; and no extra teaching is allowed for students whose schools have organized two sessions per day.

Extra teaching and learning in schools must not collect money from students and is only for 3 groups of people, who are the responsibility of the school: Students whose final semester study results are not satisfactory; students selected by the school to nurture excellent students and final year students who voluntarily register to review for entrance exams and graduation exams according to the school's educational plan.

High schools are currently applying the 2018 general education program. The Ministry of Education and Training has specified the number of periods/subject, and set out requirements for each subject that are suitable for students.

The Ministry also gives schools the autonomy to develop their own educational plans to ensure effectiveness and teachers focus on innovating teaching methods to achieve the program's goal of developing students' abilities. Thus, in principle, schools and teachers implementing the prescribed study hours have ensured students have the amount of knowledge and met the program's requirements.

The Ministry of Education and Training's viewpoint is to aim for schools that do not have extra classes or tutoring. Instead, after school hours for subjects according to the program, students have time and space to participate in recreational activities, sports, fine arts, music , etc. So that time in general schools is not only a time for learning knowledge but also a time for students to develop comprehensively in terms of personality, lifestyle, sense of responsibility and ability to integrate into society, and practice problem-solving skills. Teachers, educators and the whole society agree on this; students do not have to take too many extra classes, causing unnecessary pressure and fatigue, so that every day at school is a happy day.

Regarding the regulations on extra-curricular teaching and learning outside of school, the new Circular stipulates: organizations and individuals that organize extra-curricular teaching and learning with fees from students must comply with relevant legal regulations (register business, declare activities, provide relevant information to local authorities according to the law); teachers who are teaching at schools are not allowed to teach extra-curricular teaching outside of school with fees from their students in class... The new regulation aims to ensure the rights of students, avoiding teachers "pulling" students in class out to teach extra-curricular teaching.

If students do not belong to the group that needs to take extra classes at school, they have the desire to take extra classes outside of school completely voluntarily. Studying to be better and develop themselves is a legitimate desire, so the Ministry of Education and Training does not prohibit it. However, organizations and individuals who teach extra classes must register their business and must publicize the location, subjects, study time, costs... and must strictly comply with the provisions of the law on working hours, working time, safety, security...

- Before the circular regulating extra teaching and learning was officially implemented, there were some confusions in the implementation. Could you share the responsibilities of the parties in implementing this circular?

The issuance of the circular regulating extra teaching and learning is to comply with many current policies and regulations and to meet practical requirements. Up to this point, through monitoring public opinion, the provisions of the circular have received consensus from society. Now is the implementation process, in which "understanding and fulfilling the responsibilities of all parties" is the decisive factor for Circular 29 to truly come into life.

On the part of the Ministry of Education and Training, after issuing Circular 29 and after the Prime Minister's telegram dated February 7 on strengthening the management of extra teaching and learning activities, the Ministry will continue to issue further documents urging and directing the Departments of Education and Training to advise and issue implementation guidelines at the local level.

On the part of the People's Committees of the provinces, it is necessary to effectively direct the implementation of communication work, organize specialized conferences to disseminate and guide relevant subjects to unify in organizing and implementing the regulations correctly;...

Regarding the Departments of Education and Training, we know that many departments have issued guidelines for implementing Circular 29 and have advised localities to issue appropriate support policies for education and training development. We request that the Departments of Education and Training continue to pay attention and soon issue guidelines and advice appropriate to the localities.

For schools and teachers, the responsibility is to teach students to form qualities, abilities, and meet output standards; the test and assessment questions must also be correct and sufficient to meet the requirements of the program. For students who are really weak and confused in preparing for the transfer exams and high school graduation exams, the responsibility of schools and teachers is to support them. When we determine such responsibilities, other problems will no longer be heavy.

In recent days, there have been opinions that not teaching extra classes reduces teachers’ income. We all know that there are many teachers such as kindergarten teachers, teachers in remote areas, teachers of many subjects… who do not teach extra classes but are still dedicated and passionate about their profession.

I would like to share more, recently, when teaching and learning extra classes, some negative factors have appeared, many good teachers have also suffered bad reputation and injuries, so this new regulation is also aimed at "protecting the dignity of the teaching profession".

Change and innovation are always difficult and difficult to accept. However, what the circular regulating extra teaching and learning is aiming for is for an education with good values. Therefore, although the first steps are difficult, I hope that there will be consensus and determination in implementing this circular. The Ministry of Education and Training will closely work with localities, schools and teachers in the implementation process.

For the education sector in general and the issue we are discussing, which is tutoring and extra learning, in particular, the efforts of the education sector alone are not enough. It also requires understanding, involvement, and supervision from parents and society. When parents are still burdened with their children's academic performance, are not satisfied just because their children do not attend extra classes, and do not fully see the role of family education in addition to school education, then tutoring and extra learning still exist in a negative perspective. Social supervision of the implementation of the circular regulating tutoring and extra learning is also very important for the regulations to be implemented effectively.

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Many schools announced to stop teaching extra classes, parents are confused and worried.

Many schools announced to stop teaching extra classes, parents are confused and worried.

After many schools announced that they would stop organizing extra classes according to Circular 29, many parents expressed concern at the added worry of managing their children at home.
The Prime Minister directed to strictly handle violations of extra teaching and learning.

The Prime Minister directed to strictly handle violations of extra teaching and learning.

The Prime Minister requested localities to direct general education institutions in the area to strictly implement regulations on extra teaching and learning and strictly handle violations.
Department of Planning and Investment guides business registration when organizing extra classes outside of school

Department of Planning and Investment guides business registration when organizing extra classes outside of school

The Department of Planning and Investment of Dak Nong province has just issued a document guiding business registration for organizations and individuals providing extra teaching and learning activities outside of school with fees from students.