Teachers across Vietnam are grappling with bureaucratic challenges as they attempt to register their extracurricular teaching businesses under new regulations outlined by the Ministry of Education. Effective February 14, 2024, Circular No. 29/2024/TT-BGDĐT mandates strict compliance for teachers wishing to offer private tutoring services.
This new regulation is intended to create a legal framework for extracurricular activities, ensuring teachers follow appropriate protocols to safeguard their rights and those of their students. The directive stipulates comprehensive requirements, yet many educators find themselves bewildered and frustrated by the compulsory registration process.
Teachers, particularly those affiliated with public educational institutions, face unique challenges under these new guidelines. While they are allowed to teach additional classes, they are not permitted to manage the registration process directly. Anecdotal evidence suggests teachers are often returning to administrative offices multiple times to rectify paperwork issues.
Nguyen Thu Tuyền, a teacher from Hanoi, navigated the registration protocols and shared her experience: "I had to return multiple times due to paperwork errors. It's frustrating!" The complexity of the bureaucratic requirements has spurred teachers to seek external support services to expedite their applications.
According to the Department of Education and Training, the revised procedures are intended to safeguard educational quality. A spokesperson commented, "Education is a noble profession. We need to follow regulations to protect ourselves and our students," highlighting the emphasis on maintaining standards.
Despite these intentions, many teachers are questioning the practicality of the guidelines. Thiên Minh, another educator, pointed out, "The guidelines state clearly what we need, but the implementation is where it gets tricky," underscoring frustrations over vague and complicated instructions.
An early report following the implementation of Circular No. 29 noted increased foot traffic at municipal registration offices, where teachers flock to understand and fulfill their obligations. Many districts, such as Hai Bà Trưng and Cầu Giấy, witnessed teacher registrations rising sharply as educators raced to comply with legal requirements before any penalties could apply.
One notable case involved the efforts of several teachers from the city of Hải Dương, where around 60 individuals had obtained their business registrations by February 19. The local educational staff provided guidance, helping teachers navigate the required documents with mixed success.
To register their teaching businesses, educators must present various documentation: applications for business registration, legal identification, and proof of compliance with specific operational protocols. Many teachers, unaware of these requirements, arrive at registration offices only to discover they are missing key documents—leading to dissatisfaction and delays.
"The regulations are very strict, and sometimes difficult to understand," confirmed one official from the Hanoi Times, which has documented the surge of inquiries from teachers seeking assistance. The demands are adding pressure to professionals already balancing their primary teaching responsibilities with private initiatives.
The circular emphasizes transparency and ensures private tutoring aligns with government education standards. Teachers are required to publish details about their services, such as the subjects offered and fees charged, prior to opening their instruction to students. This level of disclosure aims to create accountability and protect student rights.
Teacher frustration spiraled as reporting errors or inadequate preparations led to drawn-out approval processes. Some educators faced waiting periods exceeding the standard processing time of 3 days, one teacher reported. This has resulted from the sheer volume of new applications flooding the system following the circular’s enactment.
There are also concerns among public school teachers, inferring from the new rules, they are disregarding their professional standing to seek approval for additional work opportunities. While private educators are encouraged to register business operations, those involved with public institutions contend they face restrictive barriers. Hà Nội, housing over 130,000 education professionals, has seen more than 30,000 private tutors come forward, but many public school teachers are left unable to register their businesses due to regulations preventing them from independently overseeing private educational activities.
"It’s confusing to see why we must adhere to registration, yet feel restricted by what we can do with our expertise," expressed one frustrated teacher, paralleling the difficulties many public educators face daily.
The registration process contains discrepancies leading to misunderstandings between teachers and regulatory agencies. Educators often express concerns about compliance and whether they need to establish businesses officially to survive financially, especially amid shifting educational practices and economic pressures.
Looking forward, stakeholders within the education sector suggest re-evaluations may be necessary to make the registration process smoother and more accessible for teachers seeking to operate legally. Balancing regulatory compliance with the need for educational flexibility remains pivotal as discussions continue within the educational community as they adjust to changes.
This situation remains dynamic, and it's important to keep track of how these new regulations will affect not only teachers but student learning environments as well. The hope is to find common ground helping educators feel secure as they pursue additional teaching opportunities.