Inspectors should be the facilitators of innovation in education.

The Ministry of Education and Training recently held a conference to summarize the work of inspection in 2023 and outline the tasks and directions for 2024.

In 2023, the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) conducted and basically completed 16 planned inspections of 38 agencies and units; and 4 unscheduled inspections of 7 units.

We have conducted and completed 14 planned inspections and 3 unscheduled inspections; and assigned officials to participate in 5 inspections led by units under the Ministry.

Inspectors must be the driving force behind innovation in education (Figure 1). — Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son (photo courtesy of the Ministry of Education and Training).

Through inspection, examination, and review activities in accordance with its management and monitoring functions, the Inspectorate issued 13 administrative violation penalties against organizations and individuals, totaling 732,500,000 VND. Simultaneously, it monitored and urged the implementation of inspection conclusions as prescribed.

During the year, the Inspectorate focused its efforts on organizing inspections and examinations of the High School Graduation Examination. Specifically, it mobilized and organized training on inspection and examination procedures for nearly 7,000 people involved in the inspection and examination process.

Ten inspection teams were established to oversee exam preparation in 20 provinces and cities, and 63 inspection teams were established to oversee exam grading in all 63 provinces and cities. Through these inspections, shortcomings and deficiencies were promptly identified, and recommendations were made to the Examination Council to ensure the exam was conducted seriously and in accordance with regulations, contributing to its success.

In 2023, the Ministry's Inspectorate also reviewed higher education institutions showing signs of violating the 2022 university entrance examination results, and imposed administrative penalties on organizations and individuals with violating behaviors. In addition, it organized public consultations, receiving and processing complaints, denunciations, suggestions, and feedback in accordance with regulations.

To facilitate the management and organization of inspection and auditing tasks, the Ministry's Inspectorate has continued to review and improve the system of documents on inspection work, ensuring systematic consistency and conformity with higher-level documents and the management practices of the Ministry and the education sector. This task will continue to be prioritized and promoted by the Ministry's Inspectorate in 2024.

In 2024, according to the plan, the Ministry's Inspectorate will conduct 16 inspections and 12 audits. It will also coordinate with and supervise units under the Ministry to ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of a total of 71 audits.

Focus on directing and guiding the organization of inspections and examinations for the 2024 High School Graduation Examination; continue to enhance the effectiveness of inspection work by the Department of Education and Training, and internal inspections of public non-profit organizations.

Looking back at inspection and supervision work in the field of education and training in general, and with the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training in particular, Minister Nguyen Kim Son assessed that "we have accomplished a greater quantity of work, at a faster pace, with greater depth and better corrective impact."

According to the Minister, the education sector is currently undergoing fundamental and comprehensive reforms. In this state of change, the number of issues and tasks will undoubtedly increase. Consequently, the work of inspectors will be more demanding, requiring higher standards and more specific expertise…

"Inspection is a very important tool of state management. It is also a tool to continue paving the way for innovation, acting as a 'midwife' for innovation, making it more on the right track and better," with this understanding, the Minister emphasized the requirements for inspection officials, not only requiring professional expertise and discipline, but also a spirit of understanding and action.

"There are things that are right in spirit and essence, but not yet correct in form and procedure. There are also cases where things are correct in form but are hindering innovation. Inspectors need to clearly see this."

Therefore, in addition to being proficient in their duties, inspectors must work closely with other departments and divisions to understand what is changing and what is happening, both in general education and higher education; from there, they can identify problems, see what needs to be encouraged, and what needs to be warned against…,” sharing this, the Minister noted that the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Education and Training must truly bring the spirit, requirements, and goals of reform to the grassroots level and receive the spirit from the grassroots level back to the Ministry.

Along with that, effective coordination is crucial. With 63 provinces and cities, hundreds of universities, and a limited inspection force, inspection work must be carried out on a case-by-case basis to address issues across the board.

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