Teachers are overwhelmed with competitions; where do they find the time to teach?

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has recently issued a document providing professional guidance for primary schools in the 2024-2025 school year. One of the main requirements is to streamline competitions for teachers and students, while promoting the implementation of the new classroom model. But what is the reality of these competitions in schools today?

"There are exams every month, but I'm most afraid of November."

"When we had to revise the curriculum and textbooks, we were already under a lot of pressure. But there's another, even more terrible pressure: the numerous competitions organized by various sectors and levels that teachers have to participate in," said Ms. M., a preschool teacher in Ho Chi Minh City.

Similarly, Ms. MH, a teacher in Binh Chanh district, also shared: "The main task of a teacher is teaching, but we often find it difficult to concentrate. Teachers currently have to participate in many competitions from the ward level to the district level and then the city level."

There are already quite a few competitions organized by schools, the Department of Education and Training, and the Provincial Department of Education and Training. That's not even counting competitions organized by other associations, committees, and agencies... Many of these competitions have nothing to do with teaching, but teachers still feel obligated to participate."

Ms. Th., a primary school teacher in District 5, calculated: "We have competitions almost every month. Competitions related to teaching and learning, like the 'Excellent Teacher' or 'Excellent Homeroom Teacher' competition, are one thing. But we have to participate in competitions like the traditional Vietnamese dress fashion show; and the flower bicycle design competition – to raise awareness and encourage people not to litter."

Then there were competitions in recycled fashion design; rice cake wrapping; knowledge about the organization; and awareness campaigns about HIV/AIDS prevention... When participating in these competitions, every teacher had to smile brightly, but behind that was a lot of sweat and hard work."

During our fieldwork for this article, we were surprised to find that quite a few teachers confided in us their wish for the number of competitions held annually to celebrate Teachers' Day to decrease. While it's understood that society honors, respects, and appreciates teachers on Teachers' Day, the current abundance of competitions seems to be overwhelming for teachers.

"Because in November, to celebrate Vietnamese Teachers' Day, we're swamped with competitions of all sizes," some teachers confided.

Teachers recounted that the school had held a series of competitions such as the best teaching demonstration (also known as a demonstration lesson), wall newspapers, performing arts, decorating student photo frames, and beautiful handwriting competitions... Following that were competitions in performing arts, cooking, flower arranging, and sports specifically for teachers... Perhaps that's why some teachers honestly confessed that their busiest time was November, not exam season or the beginning of the school year.

Can the teachers skip the exam?

One might assume that the excellent teacher competition would receive the support of the vast majority of teachers. However, our informal survey of 18 primary, secondary, and high school teachers in Ho Chi Minh City revealed that 100% of teachers proposed abolishing the excellent teacher competition.

The reasons given are: it puts pressure on the contestants; the current excellent teacher competition is more of a performance than a practical application; it is costly, teachers waste a lot of time and effort, and students do not benefit from the excellent teacher competition...

However, upon reviewing the rules of these competitions, the author noticed the statement below indicating that participation is voluntary and not compulsory. So, if teachers feel pressured or tired, why don't they decline?

"It's voluntary, but it's mandatory because the competitions are sent down to the principal by the organizing unit. And the school also needs prestige (winning awards brings prestige), and needs close relationships with the local community and departments outside the education sector, so participation is unavoidable."

"When the principal gives instructions, no teacher dares to refuse. Because refusing will result in being evaluated as not having performed their duties excellently, and of course, the additional income will be significantly reduced. Not to mention, their quarterly and annual performance ratings will also be lowered," explained Ms. H., a teacher in District 5.

Teachers say that when participating in competitions, they have a sense of responsibility to bring awards back to the school. Winning awards requires investing time and effort, while teachers still have to fulfill their teaching duties and complete paperwork.

Taking advantage of lunch break to practice for the cultural performance.

Teachers also mentioned that they are sometimes "overwhelmed" with arts and culture competitions organized by various sectors and levels. "Every time a holiday comes around, I... get involved in arts and culture competitions. It's already very hard for teachers to participate in competitions. Many organizations even require both teachers and students to compete."

Meanwhile, students couldn't skip class to practice for the cultural performance. So both teachers and students had to take advantage of their lunch break to practice," shared Ms. N., a teacher in District 1.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thay-co-quay-cuong-with-cac-cuoc-thi-thoi-gian-dau-day-hoc-20240920083605655.htm