Teachers are concerned about the student disciplinary measures set out in Circular 19 (regulations on student rewards and discipline) when in reality many incidents have occurred recently.

Below are the concerns of teacher Tran Trung Hieu, History teacher at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, Nghe An :

Dear Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Kim Son - Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Education and Training.

Dear Minister!

The Ministry of Education and Training has announced Circular 19 regulating rewards and discipline for students, officially effective from October 31, 2025.

Personally, I and many educational administrators, teachers and parents are very concerned and concerned about the content of disciplinary action against students who violate regulations in this Circular.

In my personal opinion, Circular 19 is a legal document that affects all families with children and grandchildren studying in general schools, from primary to secondary to high school.

I feel that this Circular is very far from educational practice and is perhaps depriving schools of their right to educate students.

Family has legal system, school has discipline, society has law. That is a civilized, safe and happy society.

When school discipline is neglected, it is the root of all violence. When the level and form of student discipline, even if the violation is serious or repeated, is only limited to "writing a self-criticism", the consequences of such lax discipline will be unpredictable and impossible to measure.

People often say, often shout, often write the sentence "First learn manners, then learn knowledge", "All for the future of our children". I would like to say, if there is no present, there is no future. A developed education system must first be a safe educational environment where all teachers, students, and parents feel safe. To have a safe and happy school, there must be discipline.

Dear Minister!

Requiring students to write self-criticism is an educational measure in school and should not be seen as a form of discipline, but only as a reminder, to educate awareness, to help students self-reflect and learn from experience.

If you just stop at writing a self-criticism, this is not discipline, but a step in the process of education and reminder.

For problem students who frequently violate school rules and discipline, even state laws, the school has reminded them many times but they do not correct themselves, so the self-criticism is just a pile of waste paper.

This content of Circular 19 does not distinguish the difference between the two concepts of "educational measures" and "disciplinary measures"!

Dear Minister!

Our education system must teach students to respect school rules and discipline before they grow up to be conscious of obeying the law.

With the responsibility, passion, and thoughts of an educator, I respectfully send a few heartfelt words and respectfully request the Minister to review every word, every phrase, every sentence of Circular 19 - even though the Circular has been announced and the effective date is October 31.

I hope the Minister will listen, understand and find a solution.

Best regards.

Tran Trung Hieu (History Teacher - Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted - Nghe An).

Mr. Tran Trung Hieu.jpg
Teacher Tran Trung Hieu, History teacher at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, Nghe An.

The feelings of a teacher from Nghe An when shared on social networks attracted many comments and shares from many teachers, even parents.

Sharing with VietNamNet , teacher Tran Trung Hieu said that these are his thoughts and concerns as well as those of many other teachers in the industry. "We believe that the content of Circular 19, especially on student discipline, has some points that are not suitable with current reality. We hope that education managers will review, consider, and even make adjustments so that when the circular officially takes effect and comes into life, it will be feasible and create consensus among a large number of teachers, parents, and students," said teacher Hieu.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tam-tu-thay-giao-gui-bo-truong-gd-dt-ve-thong-tu-19-ky-luat-hoc-sinh-2444609.html