There is still a shortage of everything from computers to teachers.

This is the current situation in many primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City. The new general education program (2018), implemented in the 2023-2024 school year, is in its fourth year, yet primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City still face many difficulties.

Two students are sitting at the same computer.

Speaking at a recent briefing at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, Mr. Le Ngoc Phong, Principal of Nguyen Thai Binh Primary School in District 4 (Ho Chi Minh City), said that only a few primary schools in the district have enough computers for students to learn computer science, while most schools rent them. Currently, Nguyen Thai Binh Primary School also rents computers, but only 20, because renting 40 (which would be enough for one class) would exceed the allowed fee in Resolution 04/2023. Therefore, during class time, two students have to share one computer. The school has also petitioned the district to provide computers for schools, but is still waiting for a response.

Given the reality that many primary schools in Ho Chi Minh City lack sufficient computers for students, forcing schools to rent or raise funds through social mobilization, the principal of a primary school in District 3 stated that a budget is needed to equip students with computers and learning equipment, and that any social mobilization efforts must be very thorough.

Some primary schools are equipped with fully functional computer rooms for students, but many still have to rent or use private facilities.

CONCERN ABOUT THE SHORTAGE OF ENGLISH TEACHERS

Beyond the issue of computer shortages, numerous primary school principals and education department leaders in Ho Chi Minh City have also shared concerns about teacher shortages.

Under the 2006 General Education Program, English was an elective subject in primary school. Therefore, when Ho Chi Minh City organized enhanced English classes, schools were allowed to collect 100,000 VND per student per month (as stipulated in Resolution 04/2023 of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council) to support teachers. However, with the implementation of the 2018 General Education Program, English has become compulsory from grade 3 with 4 English lessons per week. Schools can no longer collect the same fees to support teachers. Meanwhile, under this new program, English teachers are required to teach up to 23 mandatory lessons per week, but their salaries remain low.

We truly hope to find ways to attract and retain English teachers so that they can dedicate their full passion to teaching.

Ms. Do Ngoc Chi, Principal of Nguyen Binh Khiem Primary School, District 1 (Ho Chi Minh City)

Ms. Do Ngoc Chi, Principal of Nguyen Binh Khiem Primary School, District 1 (Ho Chi Minh City), said that to retain qualified and dedicated English teachers, for the past 15 years, most primary schools in District 1, in addition to their salaries and budget allowances, have paid extra for English teachers from the first lesson onwards, according to each school's internal spending regulations. In the 2022-2023 school year, when implementing the 2018 General Education Program in grade 3, Nguyen Binh Khiem Primary School made great efforts to continue supporting its English teachers. However, this year, with the new program continuing in grade 4, funding is very difficult. "We truly hope for a way to attract and retain English teachers so they can dedicate their full commitment to teaching," Ms. Chi said.

Mr. Ha Thanh Hai, Deputy Head of the Education and Training Department of District 7 (Ho Chi Minh City), shares this concern. According to Mr. Hai, previously, English teachers only taught 16 lessons per week, with schools allocating 60-70% of parental contributions to support teachers. "Currently, English teachers have to undertake 23 mandatory lessons per week, and many districts don't even have that many, or English teachers are on leave. Meanwhile, enhanced English education at the primary school level in Ho Chi Minh City is extremely important, so a separate mechanism for English teachers is urgently needed," Mr. Hai suggested.

Many areas in Ho Chi Minh City still lack primary school English teachers.

We need financial support for teachers who teach two sessions per day.

Ms. Le Thi Thoa, Principal of Thuan Kieu Primary School, District 12 (Ho Chi Minh City), said: "We recruited a number of young, capable teachers who are skilled in applying information technology. These teachers earned salaries of 8-16 million VND at tutoring centers, including insurance, but their salaries at school are only a little over 4 million VND. We only hope that by increasing their income and supporting them to teach two sessions a day, we can encourage them to stay committed to the profession."

The principal of Nguyen Thai Binh Primary School in District 4 also shared that although teachers had been informed about the lack of payment for teaching the second session under the 2018 General Education Program, many still felt uneasy. This is because primary school teachers are currently facing many difficulties, and the additional income coefficient for teachers under Resolution 03/2018 has decreased compared to before.

IF THEY CAN'T RECRUIT THEM, THE SCHOOL HAS TO FIND MONEY TO PAY FOR TEACHERS!

This is a paradox raised by Mr. Trinh Vinh Thanh, Head of the Education and Training Department of Go Vap District (Ho Chi Minh City). Mr. Thanh stated that many localities are now struggling to recruit teachers for subjects like computer science, English, music , and fine arts. Schools have to hire or contract teachers from outside, but the schools bear these costs themselves. For example, if a school needs 60 teachers but can only recruit 50, the school has to "handle it itself" – paying for the remaining 10 teachers through part-time contracts; or if teachers in the school need extra teaching hours, the school has to cover these costs from its budget. And the school's budget comes from educational operating funds allocated per student.

The difficulties faced by schools need to be addressed by increasing the number of teachers; if the number of teachers cannot be increased, then the cost of hiring teachers must be subsidized.

Therefore, Mr. Thanh suggested that the difficulties faced by schools should be resolved by increasing the number of teachers. If the number of teachers cannot be increased, then the cost of hiring teachers must be subsidized; otherwise, there will be no funding left for educational activities. In that case, the students will be the biggest losers.

What directives has the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training issued?

On October 4th, at a meeting on primary education, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, stated that Ho Chi Minh City has issued a document removing computers from the list of centrally procured equipment to make it easier for localities and schools to purchase computers for teaching computer science in primary schools according to the 2018 General Education Program. Mr. Hieu instructed the Department's Planning and Finance Division to classify computers as teaching equipment, and that all schools must be equipped with computers. He also emphasized the need to consult and coordinate with relevant departments to include computers as teaching equipment in the Ministry of Education and Training's circulars.

Mr. Hieu criticized the slow pace of reviewing the procurement of learning equipment in district and county education departments, despite repeated reminders from the Department. He also requested that the Planning and Finance Department conduct a thorough review of schools to determine if they have sufficient equipment, identify any shortages, and urgently implement the digitization of teaching equipment.

Regarding the shortage of subject teachers such as music, art, computer science, and English, Mr. Hieu said that the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the needs and teaching hours of these subjects, and the Primary Education Department of the City Department will present a plan on attracting subject teachers…

Mr. Hieu also pointed out the current situation where IT and English teachers all have university degrees or higher. If they teach at the high school level, they have fewer teaching hours than at the primary school level, and more time to improve their lives, so they tend to choose to teach at the high school level... Therefore, primary schools can proactively implement solutions such as assigning English teachers for grades 3, 4, and 5 to also teach in grades 1 and 2, to ensure better income for the teachers.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/chuong-trinh-giao-duc-pho-thong-moi-van-thieu-tu-may-tinh-toi-giao-vien-185231016182227052.htm