Ministry of Education and Training inspects the implementation of Circular 29 in Ho Chi Minh City

On March 21, the inspection team of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) led by Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong worked with the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) on the implementation of Circular No. 29/2024/TT-BGDDT dated December 30, 2024 of the Minister of Education and Training regulating extra teaching and learning (Circular 29).

Working scene

Attending the meeting were leaders of the Department of Education and Training, Departments of Education and Training, Principals of high schools, representatives of some primary and secondary schools and representatives of parents in Ho Chi Minh City.

So that parents do not have to need it, students do not have to take extra classes.

Reporting on the implementation of Circular 29, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Nguyen Bao Quoc said: The Department of Education and Training has deployed documents related to extra teaching and learning activities to educational institutions and teachers in accordance with regulations. Timely grasp information reflecting negative manifestations in extra teaching and learning and have strict inspection and supervision. Resolutely not let extra teaching and learning not in accordance with regulations happen inside and outside schools. Detect, handle and propose appropriate solutions to difficulties and obstacles in the process of implementing Circular 29.

Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Nguyen Bao Quoc reported at the meeting.

The Department of Education and Training of Thu Duc City and districts strictly implement the guidance and inspection of extra teaching and learning activities in the area. Focus on thoroughly educating primary schools about absolutely not organizing extra teaching for primary school students according to regulations; direct schools to adjust and develop plans to implement the 2-session/day program according to the requirements of the 2018 General Education Program. Strengthen and supplement club activities, talent development activities (arts, sports, etc.), life skills training, ensuring suitability with local characteristics and pick-up and drop-off times of parents. Take measures to handle according to authority or report to competent authorities about violations of regulations on extra teaching and learning in the area.

Schools review and adjust the development of educational plans to ensure that the assignment of teaching hours for teachers in the school is consistent with the allocated budget, and that facilities and teaching equipment are used to the maximum and effectively, to organize educational activities of the school in accordance with the provisions of the General School Charter and the instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training on the implementation of the general education program.

Organize for final year students to strengthen their review for entrance exams and graduation exams according to the school's education plan, identifying this as the responsibility of schools to help students meet the requirements for each subject and each grade according to the regulations of the 2018 General Education Program.

Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Nguyen Van Hieu discussed at the meeting

Sharing the spirit of determination and resoluteness in implementing Circular 29 of Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, said: In the coming time, the Ho Chi Minh City Education sector will continue to effectively implement Circular 29, to make the city's educational environment increasingly civilized and modern, to make students confident in the process of self-study and to increase the responsibility of teachers towards students in this process.

"The city's attention to teachers' lives is sufficient, so there is no reason to neglect teaching time in class, so that parents do not have needs and students do not have to take extra classes," said Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu.

According to Mr. Trinh Vinh Thanh, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Go Vap District, after more than 1 month of implementation, Circular 29 has been "stable" and the important thing is to persistently implement it, persistently inform teachers to clearly identify the content of extra teaching and learning, and society to understand the humanistic meaning of the Circular.

Mr. Trinh Vinh Thanh, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Go Vap district, discussed at the meeting.

To avoid widespread extra teaching and learning, Mr. Trinh Vinh Thanh said that it is necessary to promote 2 sessions/day and teach effectively and with quality. "Students and parents do not want to go to extra classes because they are tired, but schools need to teach seriously, commit to innovating and testing according to the direction of the Ministry of Education and Training, and not create tricky questions...", discussing this content, Mr. Trinh Vinh Thanh said: The Department of Education and Training of Go Vap district has deployed inspections at schools to ensure that the second session is taught according to regulations and with quality.

Ms. Le Than Dieu Ai, Principal of Luong The Vinh Primary School, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, said: The school strictly follows the regulations of Circular 29. The school's responsibility is to make parents understand the Circular, ensure the responsibility of reviewing for students, and create test questions that are appropriate to students' abilities and do not put pressure on students...

Many opinions exchanged show the consensus and determination of Ho Chi Minh City in implementing Circular 29.

As a private school with the policy of teachers not participating in extra classes to avoid conflicts of interest and the school ensures teachers' income, Ms. Hoang Thi Diem Trang, Principal of Dinh Thien Ly Secondary and High School, said: Circular 29 received support from the Pedagogical Council and parents of the school. Implementing Circular 29, the school has tested a learning community model to promote students' self-study spirit . This model has now shown positive signs .

Be determined with widespread extra teaching and learning, to find happiness in education

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Pham Ngoc Thuong highly appreciated the drastic participation of the Department of Education and Training, Departments of Education and Training, and schools in Ho Chi Minh City in implementing Circular 29. The spirit of construction and high consensus was clearly demonstrated through the opinions exchanged at the meeting.

According to the Deputy Minister, Circular 29 was issued so that schools can do a good job of teaching the main curriculum, so that parents do not have to waste time and money on ineffective, widespread extra teaching and learning. “We aim for the students, for the teachers, for a good education, so that everyone comes to education for happiness, not worry.”

Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong speaks at the meeting

Explaining why extra teaching and learning is widespread, the Deputy Minister mentioned that the conditions for organizing regular teaching and learning have not met the requirements of school regulations, the number of students is high; the quality between schools is not uniform; the pressure on scores and assessments is not suitable for the program; the coordination between families, schools and society is not good...

“The consequences of rampant extra teaching and learning are huge. For a long time, we have considered extra teaching and learning as a natural part of education without stopping to see what extra teaching and learning have brought over time. Is it a series of achievement problems? Is it not the unexpected results - especially affecting the comprehensive development of students? If we continue to rely on teachers and extra learning, we will lose the ability to self-study and self-discover. Students will forever be in a small safe zone, and when they step out into society, they will be confused and become unsafe,” the Deputy Minister worried.

To effectively manage extra teaching and learning, the Deputy Minister believes that Circular 29 is not enough, but must synchronize solutions. “We have innovated teaching methods, innovated the goals of education. Human knowledge develops exponentially every day. Teachers not only teach knowledge but also teach methods, self-study is important, we need to aim for that - the happiest thing for teachers is how in the shortest time students do not have to depend on them”, the Deputy Minister shared.

A large number of administrators, school leaders and parents attended the meeting.

Referring to the immediate and long-term solutions to manage extra teaching and learning, Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong emphasized the solution of good communication, so that society can see the consequences of extra teaching and learning; solutions on professional work such as ensuring regular school hours, teachers arousing students' self-study spirit, innovating testing, evaluation, exam questions in the program, innovating admission methods...

"Do not let children go to centers to study additional core curriculum. If this happens, it is the responsibility of the managers and teachers." Noting this, the Deputy Minister also mentioned solutions regarding planning, investment in facilities, ensuring enough schools and classrooms, regulating the appropriate teaching staff, strictly implementing inspection, examination, emulation and reward work, etc.

“We must properly assess the harmful effects of widespread extra teaching and learning, see the waste of widespread extra teaching and learning to quickly end it with determination and consensus throughout the entire system. What we say must be done, we must be determined to carry it out with the highest goal of being for the students, for the true quality of education, and preserving the image and dignity of the education sector,” the Deputy Minister directed.

With the advantages of good facilities, a large number of schools with 2 sessions/day, and attention to the quality of teaching and learning, the Deputy Minister hopes that teachers in Ho Chi Minh City will devote themselves to students during regular school hours, thereby moving towards no more extra teaching and learning in schools, no more rampant extra teaching and learning.

"I hope that the Ho Chi Minh City Education sector, from the leaders of the Department, Division, and schools, will be unanimous in implementing Circular 29, contributing to building a healthy education system, so that students, teachers, and parents can come to education and feel happy, creating a future suitable to the conditions and qualities of each person," the Deputy Minister said.

Source: https://moet.gov.vn/tintuc/Pages/tin-tong-hop.aspx?ItemID=10396