Strategic reinvestment

According to Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh, former Director of the Department of Professional Education ( Ministry of Education and Training ), the issue of teachers' income needs to be fully guaranteed so that teachers can work with peace of mind and dedicate themselves to their profession. Tuition exemption should not lead to a decrease in teaching quality or a reduction in investment in necessary facilities.

A reporter from Dai Doan Ket Newspaper had a discussion with Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh about this issue.

PV: To provide tuition-free education, the state budget would need to allocate approximately 30,000 billion VND each year. That's a considerable sum, isn't it, sir?

Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh.

Dr. Hoang Ngoc Vinh: Financial issues and budget allocation for education are common challenges that every nation faces. However, we should not abandon a humane policy that truly meets the aspirations of the people nationwide because of these difficulties. Therefore, in the coming period, we need to implement the following measures simultaneously to ensure that the tuition fee waiver policy is implemented sustainably and for the long term.

This involves cutting regular expenditures, combating corruption and waste, reforming and streamlining the administrative apparatus to allocate budget for education and improve training quality. This requires the unity and determination of the entire population in striving for a developed society, with education as its foundation.

Let us all work together and hope that in 10-15 years, this policy will show clear results, bearing fruit with achievements and positive changes not only in education but also in the development of the country.

For now, I believe the Politburo has carefully considered the government's report on the potential for mobilizing resources through downsizing the workforce, optimizing administrative spending, and other financial solutions. With a strong determination to leverage domestic resources for future investment, I believe this policy, instead of being a burden on the budget, will become a strategic reinvestment, yielding results in the country's future development and prosperity.

Alongside the joy, there are still concerns that the policy of free tuition for public schools will put even more pressure on the public school system, especially in urban areas where the burden is already heavy, as clearly demonstrated in the highly competitive entrance exams for grade 10. Will the policy of student streaming after lower secondary school be affected, sir?

This is a reality that requires administrators to find solutions to help alleviate the burden on public schools, such as adding schools at all levels, including converting the function of facilities through streamlining and mergers. Simultaneously, it is necessary to continue researching and proposing better incentive policies to encourage and attract investment in the private education sector, helping to reduce the burden on public schools and create diversity so that people can choose the most suitable educational environment for their children.

Regarding the issue of vocational guidance, I believe we need to reconsider our approach to this within the national education system. Currently, we separate vocational education from high school education, leading to many parents worrying about their children pursuing vocational training. Meanwhile, many countries do not differentiate between high school diplomas and vocational training diplomas. They offer vocational training courses right in high schools with complete and modern equipment, helping students see the real benefits of vocational training and voluntarily choose vocational paths without rigid quotas that cause resentment among parents and students. We can learn from countries like Finland and Denmark, which have very high rates of student participation in vocational training.

On February 28th, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs handed over the state management function of vocational education and training (VET) to the Ministry of Education and Training for implementation in accordance with current laws. In your opinion, what impact will this have on student streaming after lower secondary education?

This is a major policy of the Party and the State, creating a unified and synchronized national education system. This is also an opportunity to amend the Education Law and the Higher Education Law.

Currently, vocational training and continuing education centers are operating under two different regulations: Circular 05/2020/TT-BLDTBXH dated August 16, 2020, and Circular 01/2023/TT-BGDĐT dated January 6, 2023, causing difficulties for these units in their operations. Meanwhile, as analyzed above, separating vocational education and training (VET) as a distinct level of education within the national education system is incompatible with international practice. Most countries consider VET training as a separate training stream integrated into other levels of education. Treating VET as a level of education providing elementary, intermediate, and college-level training has blurred the lines between VET and professional education, thus creating obstacles in student streaming after lower secondary and upper secondary education, and in the transition from intermediate and college levels to university. Therefore, transferring VET to the Ministry of Education and Training will allow for better student streaming after lower secondary education. Currently, we offer free vocational training at the intermediate level. Further research and consideration are needed to ensure that the policy of free tuition at public schools continues to be effective in educational streaming.

Thank you very much, sir!

The tuition waiver policy, widely publicized in the media these past few days, has been welcomed and enthusiastically received by all sectors of society, from administrators and teachers to parents. I believe this decision is in line with public sentiment, has significant social implications, and a strong impact. It also serves as a great motivation for schools and families to have more resources to care for and invest in students' education. This historic decision reflects the correct and accurate vision of the Party and Government, and marks an important milestone in our country's education system. This decision demonstrates consistency in the Party and State's policy of investing in human resources, as President Ho Chi Minh taught: "For the benefit of ten years, plant trees; for the benefit of a hundred years, cultivate people."

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/mien-hoc-phi-tai-dau-tu-chien-luoc-10300806.html