Still teaching extra classes against regulations

TP - After many months of investigation, Tien Phong reporters discovered the situation of extra teaching in defiance of the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, taking place openly in the middle of the capital. What is worth mentioning is that both parents and students are afraid but do not dare to speak up.

The fear called "extra classes"

Recently, reporters received feedback from a number of parents whose children study at Ly Thuong Kiet Secondary School, Bo De Ward (old Long Bien District), Hanoi City.

According to Circular 29 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the management of extra classes, from junior high school level, teachers who teach extra classes outside of school are not allowed to teach students in class. However, right in Bo De ward, extra classes outside of school by teachers of Ly Thuong Kiet junior high school still continue. Accordingly, students almost do not have summer vacation. In early July, some parents received notice of their children's extra classes. Right after the opening ceremony, extra classes were organized in a bustling manner at centers around the school area such as Tri Thuc Vang, ALH (Academic Learning Hub), Tri Tue Viet...

Ly Thuong Kiet Secondary School. Photo: NGHIEM HUE

Ms. PTH, a parent of a child in grade 8, said: “My child has just started school and the homeroom teacher has suggested that he take extra Math and Literature classes at a center near the school. It is worth mentioning that the teacher who is teaching in class is also directly teaching extra classes, contrary to regulations (Circular 29)”. According to Ms. H., the class schedule is arranged after the regular school day on weekdays, except for Saturdays, students study 3 shifts (morning, afternoon, evening). On Saturdays, the child even has to go to 4 shifts with the reason that he needs to study more because of upcoming exams.

Speaking to reporters, a representative of a center in the ward said that they have thoroughly informed teachers and admissions staff to follow Circular 29. However, they do not have a plan to classify students studying with teachers here. Because there is currently no coordination mechanism between the three parties: school - Center - Ward/Commune People's Committee on this issue, they do not have legal status to collect student information. This is a loophole that teachers can take advantage of to circumvent the law.

Studying at school and at a center is so dense that Ms. H and her husband have conflicts because her husband is worried that their child's studying too much will affect their mental health. Ms. H. asserts that in class, the teacher has "soft" power to make her child afraid to go to school. For example, she questioned her when she learned that some children were taking extra math lessons from other teachers in the school, making the students afraid and forced to quit.

The parent shared that extra classes are not bad. However, when teachers use "tricks" to force students to attend extra classes, such as by words or by giving test questions that are part of the extra classes, it causes frustration for parents and students. "The math teacher even called parents to let their children attend extra classes. I am upset because I do not have the right to choose teachers according to my needs," Ms. H. said.

Newly enrolled 6th grade students were also being led. A parent reflected: “My child had been in the school for less than a week and was added to the teacher’s extra-curricular group, with the reason being to master basic knowledge. Changing grades, just getting used to the new environment, not having time to adapt, was dragged into the extra-curricular schedule. We were very worried but it was difficult to refuse because we were afraid that the teacher would keep an eye on our child.”

Ms. T., a parent of a 7th grade student, informed that in class, the teacher said that without extra classes, it would be difficult to keep up. The student was afraid of being judged so he voluntarily agreed. From then on, the teacher confirmed to the parents that the student had a need for extra classes. The parents wanted to object but were worried that their child's grades would be affected.

What do principals with extra teachers say?

Talking to reporters about the above incident, Mr. Nguyen Phu Cuong, Principal of Ly Thuong Kiet Secondary School (where many teachers were reported by parents to be tutoring their own students) said that about 50% of teachers teach extra classes outside of school; mainly teaching compulsory subjects for the 10th grade entrance exam such as Math, Literature, and English.

In response to the question, in addition to reporting on extra classes (outside the school), does the school require teachers to provide a list of students attending these (extra) classes? Mr. Cuong replied that this is the responsibility of the centers that organize extra classes for teachers. After that, the center has the responsibility to report to the local ward. The principal's authority only requires teachers to report which center they teach at and how many sessions per week.

According to this principal, after receiving feedback from reporters, the school initially checked and determined: The teacher's extra-curricular class outside the school had "mixed" (the principal's exact words) students in the class. "I asked the teacher to discuss with the center to transfer the students who were not the right subjects according to Circular 29 (students in the teacher's own class)," said Mr. Cuong.

Mr. Cuong said that the Circular stipulates that schools do not have the authority to establish inspection teams for centers, this function belongs to the local ward People's Committee and the school participates as a member of the team. "We have reminded the centers. They promised to strictly implement, and any areas that are not up to standard will be corrected," Mr. Cuong said.

Mr. Cuong added that the school held a pedagogical council meeting and thoroughly discussed the issue of extra-curricular teaching and learning with teachers. However, according to information from parents, the extra-curricular teaching activities of teachers at Ly Thuong Kiet Secondary School are still taking place normally?

Source: https://tienphong.vn/van-day-them-trai-quy-dinh-post1799465.tpo