Students voluntarily apply for extra classes, do teachers violate Circular 29?

“I am preparing for the 10th grade entrance exam and really need to learn more literature. My homeroom teacher teaches literature very well and is very dedicated, and I feel like I want to continue studying with her. Can I write an application or follow any procedures to continue teaching her without violating any regulations?”, a student asked.

Regarding this, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Director of the Department of Secondary Education (Ministry of Education and Training) said that if a teacher teaches literature well and well, she must have good teaching methods.

“So, I think you have taught enough in class, of course you will give more homework, require students to write, read, and submit it for you to grade and give feedback. So why do you have to write an application to ask for more classes?

The most important thing is that the teacher teaches less and the students learn more, not that the teacher teaches more and the students learn less. So you have to reconsider this. You have that awareness, I believe that if you continue to suggest: 'Teacher, please give me another essay to write', then surely the teacher will give you more without charging; or if you ask for comments after finishing the essay, the teacher will also give comments without charging.

So, you don't need to write an application, just do it, the teachers certainly can't refuse," said Mr. Thanh.

Speaking more about this situation, Dr. Nguyen Boi Quynh, Principal of Viet Duc High School (Hanoi) said that all teachers must be responsible for the "products" they train.

Accordingly, the teacher's task in class is to provide knowledge and guidance to students and is also responsible for students' test results.

Students find that teachers teach well, which is a good thing. But that does not mean that parents and students can gather together to submit a petition so that the teacher can teach their children extra lessons. No matter how the teacher teaches, it is not in accordance with regulations because Circular 29 clearly states that teachers cannot teach extra lessons to students they teach in school and that if they teach in certain cases, they will not be charged.

"Teachers must take full responsibility for their training products. Therefore, students can rest assured to study and I believe that teachers will spare no time and will not hesitate to provide and review necessary knowledge to help students," Ms. Quynh emphasized.

Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Psychology and Education, shared that he encouraged teachers to "stop the inertia" of students when they see their friends taking extra classes and thinking that they have to take extra classes to be good.

“Good students do not need to learn more knowledge in class, but learn other things instead. Teachers must guide them to be more confident, to believe in their own abilities to overcome difficulties, and to understand that if they rely on others forever, they will not be able to develop,” said Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam.

Sharing the same opinion, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh also said that teachers should "block the inertia" of students wanting to study more.

“Seeing that students want to learn more, teachers just agree, there is no wrong opinion. If teachers are really good, the least amount of homework will still help students achieve their best ability. A good teacher, in just one class, will not give two identical homeworks. When giving two homeworks, students must also see the difference between one and the other. It is this 'difference' that gradually allows students to know what knowledge and what other homework they need to do,” said Mr. Thanh.