Quang Ninh Province recently hosted a collaborative session between the National Assembly Delegation, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Committee for Culture and Society. The focus: refining educational management and aligning practices with the evolving Teachers’ Law. Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son addressed key issues, including the structure of daily teaching schedules and the role of supplementary education.

Prioritizing Stability During Restructuring

Minister Son emphasized the importance of maintaining operational continuity for educational institutions during administrative restructuring. he cautioned against hasty consolidations, stating:

During the restructuring of administrative units, it is necessary to give priority to the normal functioning of educational institutions, and not to mechanically merge educational establishments during the change of administrative units. After stabilizing the aircraft and carefully assessed all aspects, we will proceed with a review and reorganization if necessary. the ministry will provide precise instructions on this subject.

Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Education and Training

This approach underscores a commitment to minimizing disruption and ensuring a smooth transition for students and educators alike.

Clarifying Responsibilities in Education Management

The minister also addressed the division of responsibilities in educational oversight, noting that while departmental and municipal levels have distinct roles, these should not be interpreted rigidly. This suggests a need for flexibility and collaboration to optimize educational outcomes.

Rethinking the Second Session: Opportunity or Overload?

A meaningful portion of the discussion centered on the organization of the second daily session in schools. Minister Son clarified that the format is flexible, but its purpose must be carefully considered.

He stressed that the primary objective is to deliver the core curriculum effectively within a single session, making it the duty of the entire education sector. The implementation of a second session should depend on local needs and resources.

Combating “Distorted” Supplementary Education

Minister Son voiced strong concerns about the potential for the second session to become a vehicle for excessive or coercive supplementary education.He emphasized the need to prevent students from being pressured into additional courses, stating:

By demanding that the second course session is not “distorted”, the Minister of Education and Training said that for schools to be ordered and that education is healthy, it is necessary to prevent students from taking additional courses in any form whatsoever.

Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Education and Training

This stance reflects a commitment to ensuring that education remains balanced and does not unduly burden students.

Promoting Engaging and Persuasive Education

The minister advocated for a shift towards more engaging and persuasive teaching methods, moving away from coercive approaches. He asserted that the education sector’s responsibility is to fully convey subject content during regular class hours.

The Value of Holistic Progress

Minister Son questioned the long-term benefits of excessive supplementary courses, suggesting they may not considerably contribute to students’ overall development. He proposed replacing these sessions with activities that alleviate academic pressure and unreasonable expectations.

He concluded with a call for perseverance in this endeavor, stating:

It is indeed a real release of the interior, it thus requires perseverance, but no matter the difficulty, it must be done.

Nguyen Kim Son, Minister of Education and Training