Vietnam’s education sector is undergoing significant reforms aimed at controlling the conduct of teachers and the practice of supplemental tutoring, which has long been criticized for its dubious legality and ethical standards.
On February 14, 2024, the Circular 29/2024/TT-BGDĐT took effect, bringing forth new regulations intended to rectify the often murky waters surrounding extra tutoring practices. The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) hopes these reforms will provide clarity and promote integrity among teachers, reducing the prevalence of illegal tutoring.
According to the Ministry, "Teachers violating tutoring regulations not only compromise their integrity and reputation but also infringe various legal and ethical standards related to their profession." This new circular specifies clear guidelines for teachers, prohibiting them from conducting illegal tutoring sessions, especially those charging current students from their own classes.
Prior to this circular, many teachers cooperated with private tutoring centers, often unregistered, to provide instruction to their students under unofficial pretenses. This has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the educational system and its adherence to professional ethics.
With the implementation of Circular 29, it is now explicitly stated, "Teachers who currently engage with students as part of their school responsibilities cannot charge them for tutoring elsewhere." Even if payments are made indirectly through third-party tutoring companies, this remains classified as illegal and unethical.
Adding to the regulatory framework, the Ministry has specified repercussions for those violating these tutoring guidelines. Disciplinary actions can range from official warnings to harsher penalties like dismissal, impacting teachers’ careers significantly. “The introduction of Circular 29/2024 aims to manage and rectify tutoring practices, ensuring teachers maintain proper ethical conduct and comply with legal requirements,” the MOET noted.
Financial penalties are also on the table. Teachers who conduct tutoring sessions without the proper business registration could face fines ranging from 5 to 50 million VND, depending on the extent of their violations and the nature of their tutoring practices. Schools or tutoring centers found infringing these new regulations face potential legal actions as well.
Despite these improvements, concerns remain. Many parents have voiced apprehension on social media platforms, expressing worries about the potential for teachers to circumvent the new rules and exploit loopholes. “Parents fear temporary halts to illegal tutoring practices could lead to new loopholes being exploited,” they warn.
The challenges facing MOET is not only ensuring compliance with the new circular but also addressing the deep-seated cultural norms surrounding tutoring and educational pressures. Educational reform is as much about structural change as it is about shifting mindsets — both of which are necessary to create a more transparent and equitable system.
Parent-teacher committees and local government representatives are being encouraged to uphold these standards and report violators, creating community involvement to help enforce the new regulations. This collaborative approach aims to boost transparency within educational practices, beneficial to the stakeholders involved.
The potential for these reforms to change educational outcomes is significant. By minimizing the influence of illegal and unethical tutoring practices, authorities hope to cultivate integrity among teachers and improve overall student learning environments.
Nonetheless, the path forward is fraught with hurdles, largely due to long-standing norms and widespread acceptance of tutoring as part of educational success. For many families and teachers, the system shifts and cultural expectations they face may require continuous dialogue and adjustment.
With substantial enforcement efforts, the hopes are high for Circular 29 to instigate genuine change within Vietnam’s educational atmosphere, promoting fair practices and upholding the dignity of teaching as a respected profession.
The future of this initiative is under close scrutiny, and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how these measures will reshape Vietnam’s educational sector.