Directive No. 15/2000/CT-BGD on urgent measures to strengthen management of additional teaching and learning.

DIRECTIVE

OF THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Regarding urgent measures to strengthen management of supplementary teaching and learning.

To manage supplementary teaching outside regular school hours for teachers at public secondary schools, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 242/TTg on May 24, 1993. The Ministry of Education and Training cooperated with the Ministry of Finance to issue Circular No. 16/TT-LB to guide the implementation of this Decision. Subsequently, the Ministry of Education and Training took many measures to enhance directive management of supplementary teaching.

In recent times, the management of supplementary teaching in some localities has achieved initial results. However, generally, the enforcement of regulations on supplementary teaching and learning has not met the required standards. The widespread phenomenon of supplementary teaching and learning, criticized in Resolution Central Committee 2, has not been effectively addressed. Negative manifestations of supplementary teaching from primary to secondary levels and preparatory courses for entrance exams have not only failed to be curbed but have become more prevalent, causing public discontent.

Supplementary learning is a need for a portion of students and their families to expand and enhance knowledge. However, excessive and intensive supplementary learning beyond capacity leads to overburdening students, reducing self-study, rest, and recreational time, particularly for primary school students. Widespread supplementary teaching and learning are causing concerning negative impacts, diminishing public trust in educators and schools, and violating the educational requirements stipulated in the Education Law.

There are multiple reasons for this situation, primarily due to weaknesses in management work at various educational administrative levels. Directive measures to rectify the situation have not been resolute, consistent, nor combined with reforms in curriculum content and examination methods.

This situation necessitates comprehensive measures to correct and restore order and discipline in this field.

I. Objectives and Requirements for Strengthening Management of Supplementary Teaching and Learning.

The term "supplementary teaching" mentioned in this Directive refers to teaching outside regular school hours for secondary school students; preparatory courses for entrance exams at various levels; and computer science and foreign language classes outside specialized training institutions, including supplementary teaching under the responsibility of public secondary schools and supplementary teaching based on student demand for which fees are charged. In the future, management of supplementary teaching must achieve the following objectives and requirements:

It is necessary to focus on directing efforts to promptly address negative aspects of supplementary teaching by public secondary school teachers as prescribed in Decision No. 242/TTg. Timely action must be taken against all violations, especially forcing students to attend supplementary classes to generate income, with repeat offenders being dealt with severely, up to dismissal. For non-public schools (semi-public, private, and private), principals must strictly manage supplementary teaching activities according to the principle of serving students.

Uniformly manage supplementary classes based on student demand for which fees are charged, organized by organizations or individuals within or outside schools and other educational facilities (hereinafter referred to as schools), ensuring the interests of students and the responsibilities of teachers.

II. Measures to Enhance Management.

To emphasize the responsibility of schools and teachers in organizing supplementary teaching to serve students, while strictly managing supplementary teaching based on student demand for which fees are charged across all areas, the Ministry of Education and Training requests People's Committees at all levels, educational administrative bodies, and schools to implement the following measures effectively:

1. Management of supplementary teaching under the responsibility of public secondary schools:

a) For primary education level:

Organize well to attract the maximum number of students to two-hour daily classes as desired by their families. Apart from subjects already specified by the Ministry of Education and Training, introducing additional subjects into the school curriculum (either mandatory or elective) requires approval from the Ministry of Education and Training. Ensure that students have two days off each week. Do not organize supplementary classes during summer break. Situations where teachers provide childcare outside regular hours at family request must not turn into supplementary classes.

Tutoring underperforming students is the responsibility of the subject teacher. Departments of Education and Training should guide and strictly manage the nurturing of outstanding students.Do not charge students for tutoring underperforming students or nurturing outstanding students.Principals shall organize and manage supplementary review classes for fifth-grade students one month before graduation exams, not exceeding two sessions per week, with fees set as per Circular No. 16/TT-LB jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Finance on September 13, 1993.

Primary school principals are responsible for managing supplementary teaching activities of teachers in accordance with regulations, ending forced supplementary teaching.

b) For secondary education level:

Tutoring underperforming students is the responsibility of the subject teacher. Departments of Education and Training should strictly manage the nurturing of outstanding students. Do not charge students for tutoring underperforming students or nurturing outstanding students. Principals shall organize and manage supplementary review classes for graduating students of junior high and senior high schools two months before graduation exams, not exceeding three sessions per week, with fees set as per the aforementioned Circular No. 16/TT-LB.

Junior high and senior high school principals are responsible for managing supplementary teaching activities of teachers in accordance with regulations, limiting permission for teachers to conduct supplementary classes for students they teach regularly for profit, and firmly addressing situations where students are forced to attend supplementary classes to generate income.

2. Management of supplementary teaching based on student demand inside and outside schools:

Besides the type of supplementary teaching under the responsibility of public secondary schools mentioned above, other supplementary classes charging fees, organized by organizations or individuals within or outside schools, can only operate after registration and obtaining certification from the competent authority for supplementary teaching registration. Permission for supplementary teaching must be implemented in accordance with the firm policy of resolutely combating widespread supplementary teaching. tràn lan. The Departments of Education and Training are responsible for assisting the People's Committees of provinces and cities in managing additional teaching of subjects in the secondary school curriculum. The District Education and Training Offices assist the People's Committees at the district level in managing additional teaching of subjects in the lower secondary and primary school curricula within their respective jurisdictions.

Responsibilities for managing additional classes based on learners' needs:

a. Additional classes opened by secondary school teachers inside or outside schools under the direct responsibility of the principal must be registered and approved, subject to inspection by local educational management authorities. Departments of Education and Training permit additional teaching according to the secondary school curriculum, while District Education and Training Offices permit additional teaching according to the lower secondary and primary school curricula.

b. Classes opened by lecturers or teachers from higher education institutions or vocational training centers inside or outside these institutions for examination preparation or to enhance knowledge of subjects in the general education curriculum must be registered and approved, subject to inspection by the Department of Education and Training according to their state management functions. Educational establishments with lecturers or teachers providing additional teaching must cooperate with Departments of Education and Training in managing such additional classes.

c. Apart from the classes mentioned in points a and b, classes opened by other organizations or individuals to reinforce or enhance knowledge and prepare for examinations in subjects of the general education curriculum must be registered and approved, subject to inspection by Departments or District Education and Training Offices according to the specified hierarchical regulations. Computer and foreign language classes opened by individuals or organizations (agencies, units, educational establishments) without the function of training in that specific subject must be registered and approved, subject to inspection by the Department of Education and Training. Those who provide additional teaching individually in a private tutoring capacity, teaching one-on-one students as requested by families, which does not fall under organized additional teaching, must register and obtain permission but must bear full responsibility for the quality and content of their teaching.

To strictly manage educational activities involving fees charged to learners on the territory, Departments of Education and Training advise the People's Committees of provinces and cities to issue regulations for management in accordance with local realities. Specific provisions should be made regarding conditions for opening classes (teachers' qualifications, physical facilities), and management of tuition fee income and expenditure. Implement the provisions of Decree No. 73/1999/NĐ-CP dated August 19, 1999, issued by the Government on policies encouraging socialization in educational, health, cultural, and sports activities for those opening additional classes. Organizations or individuals opening classes shall enjoy preferential policies and must fulfill their obligations to the State as stipulated in the Decree and related guiding documents. Specific provisions should be made regarding the minimum class size for mandatory registration and approval procedures, inspection systems, and handling of violations. Departments of Education and Training advise the People's Committees of provinces and cities to set a framework for tuition fees and charges for each class according to the principle of agreement within the prescribed framework. Permission to provide additional teaching should be granted to those with good professional qualifications, prioritizing those with excellent skills who have successfully completed assigned tasks, and not allowing those with weak skills to provide additional teaching. Ensure that additional learning is voluntary, and appropriately address cases of forced additional learning for profit. Handle unauthorized class openings according to Article 108 of the Education Law.

III. Implementation Organization.

To effectively rectify the widespread phenomenon of excessive additional teaching and learning, the Ministry of Education and Training requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities to instruct Departments of Education and Training to coordinate with relevant sectors and People's Committees at all levels to promptly implement this policy. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Education and Training will adopt comprehensive measures to contribute to addressing the root causes of excessive additional teaching and learning. Combine moral education and encouragement of teachers' sense of responsibility with management measures for civil servants.

Departments of Education and Training should base their implementation of this Directive on the actual situation of their locality, ensuring quick and efficient processing of registrations and approvals for opening classes. Coordinate with the People's Committees at the district level and relevant agencies to strengthen inspections of additional teaching and learning situations within their jurisdiction, handling those practicing illegally or those who have been permitted to open classes but fail to meet the required teaching standards, teacher qualifications, and physical facilities. Accept public opinions and promptly review, resolve, and respond to complaints and reports concerning additional teaching and learning within their management responsibilities.

The Inspectorate of Education leads and coordinates with the Primary Education Division, Secondary General Education Division, Continuous Education Division, Higher Education Division, and related agencies to urge implementation, inspect the execution of this Directive in various localities, and report results periodically.

This Directive takes effect fifteen days after its issuance date, and all previous regulations conflicting with this Directive are hereby abolished.

This Directive should be widely disseminated throughout the sector, parents of students, and publicized through the industry's mass media to encourage public and teacher support for effective implementation from the grassroots level. Any issues encountered during implementation should be reported to the Ministry of Education and Training for timely resolution./.