Debate: Should school boards be abolished?

Mr. Vu Hoang Linh - Chairman of the University Council, University of Science , Vietnam National University, Hanoi - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

According to the draft policy explanation of the revised Law on Higher Education, which is being consulted by the Ministry of Education and Training, it is expected that there will be no school councils established at universities under the Ministry of Public Security , the Ministry of National Defense and member universities.

In some places, the school board exists only as a 'form'.

Prof. Dr. Vu Hoang Linh - Chairman of the University Council of the University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi - commented that in the process of university autonomy, the university council in highereducation institutions is a suitable model, but must be put into practice.

However, he said that the existence of school boards in many higher education institutions is still in form and does not really play an administrative role.

"At my school, the school council has members outside the school who are leaders and business owners, but because of their busy work, they hardly attend school council meetings, and if they do, they only do formal work.

Even important tasks such as electing the school board chairman or principal only have 1-2 out of 6 outside members participating," Mr. Linh said.

Believing that in order for the school council to operate more effectively, individuals participating in the school council must have real experience in university administration, Mr. Linh hopes that after the revised Law on Higher Education, the activities of the school council will become more effective, contributing to and developing the school.

Professor Dr. Tran Trung - Director of the Academy of Ethnic Minorities - said that there should be additional criteria for the level of autonomy of higher education institutions according to decentralization in establishing school councils.

"If a university is a group 4 autonomous unit, in principle the governing body will directly manage and approve everything. Thus, the role of the school council can no longer decide anything," said Mr. Trung.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy - Principal of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy - said that in fact the school's board coordinates very closely with the Hue University board.

"Our school board, together with the comprehensive leadership of the school's party committee, has played a good role in managing a structure that both trains in theory and practices medical examination and treatment for people," said Mr. Huy, suggesting that a comprehensive view is needed and that what has been done well should not be erased.

Sharing the same view, Associate Professor Dr. Do Trung Hai - Principal of the University of Industrial Technology, Thai Nguyen University - commented that the role of the University of Industrial Technology's board with regional universities is very good, and the cooperation between the school board and the board of directors is also very good.

Mr. Hai proposed to maintain the current university councils of member universities and university councils.

Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son speaks at the seminar - Photo: NGUYEN BAO

Different understandings and implementations of school council

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son, most university councils are in their first term. The regulations on the duties and powers of the university council in the law have not been clearly explained, but no guidance documents have been developed under the law, causing different understandings and implementations in practice.

Besides, there are overlaps between the implementation of leadership methods, management organization, and operational activities in higher education institutions.

In the draft report assessing the impact of the Law on Higher Education (amended), the Ministry of Education and Training also assessed that the school boards of some higher education institutions are not operating effectively, and have not properly and fully performed their functions, tasks, powers, and forms.

In particular, regulations on the organization of school councils at higher education institutions under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense are inappropriate and unfeasible.

At the end of the Policy Consultation session on the draft Law on Higher Education (amended), Deputy Minister Hoang Minh Son asked universities to continue to contribute comments to the draft through internal discussion sessions and send their comments back to the drafting committee.

To date, 167/171 public universities (excluding those under the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security) have completed the establishment and consolidation of their university councils in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Higher Education.

According to reports from 13 ministries, ministerial-level agencies and 24 localities, 67 higher education institutions have implemented the Party Secretary as the Chairman of the School Council and Chairman of the University Council.

Poll

The Ministry of Education and Training assessed that the school councils of some higher education institutions operate ineffectively and are merely formalistic. According to you:

You can select 1 item. Your vote will be public.

School board should be abolished

The school council should still be maintained, but it is necessary to have clearer regulations on the role, position, organization method, and standards for school council members.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tranh-luan-co-nen-xoa-bo-hoi-dong-truong-20250514221410834.htm