To grant or not to grant professional certificates to teachers after graduating from pedagogical school?

Currently, one of the issues that many people are interested in is the proposal to issue professional certificates for teachers in the draft Law on Teachers that is being consulted.

The most discussed issue is who is granted a certificate to practice teaching when there is information that pedagogical students are not granted a certificate to practice teaching upon graduation, but require a period of work and probation before being granted.

To issue or not to issue teaching certificates to pedagogical students graduating from university 1 — Teaching certificates are controversial because they cause difficulties for pedagogical students and employers (photo source: Internet).

Regarding this issue, reporters of the Journalist & Public Opinion Newspaper had an interview with National Assembly Delegate Thai Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Education and Training of Nghe An province.

According to Mr. Thanh, the requirement to issue a certificate of teaching practice is to comply with international practice. In the world , this certificate is normal. However, in his opinion, the law stipulates that when students finish studying and graduate from a university of education, they will be granted it.

"If students are not granted a teacher certificate, they will not be recruited when they graduate," said Mr. Thai Van Thanh.

Furthermore, according to Mr. Thanh, to avoid causing trouble for the teaching staff, only those who meet the university of education's output standards will be granted a degree.

According to Professor Thai Van Thanh, granting teaching certificates must create favorable conditions for pedagogical students to enter the teaching profession after graduation.

Regarding the conflicting opinions of the public, saying that this is a minor license, causing trouble, Professor Thai Van Thanh expressed sympathy. Because, teachers who have worked for many years, have made contributions in practice but only now have their practice certificates recognized, it may make them feel unreasonable.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vu Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Teachers, said that professional certificates demonstrate the capacity of the teaching staff.
At the same time, it will replace two important documents: Decision on recognition of the end of the teacher's probationary period and certificate of completion of professional title standard training.

“If teachers are granted a professional certificate, these two types of papers will no longer be needed, and thus paperwork will be reduced,” said Mr. Minh.

Besides, according to the Director of the Department of Teachers, currently only teachers working in the public sector are allowed to participate in training and receive certificates of professional title standards, while teachers in the non-public sector are not.

Therefore, the regulation of professional certificates aims to create equality between teachers working in public and non-public educational institutions. With this certificate, teachers can easily transfer from one unit to another.

Mr. Duc pointed out that in reality, many teachers, when recruited, still have to undergo a probationary or internship period. However, if they have a professional certificate, it is considered that the teacher has met the requirements.

According to the representative of the Ministry of Education and Training, it will be very meaningful for university lecturers to participate in international cooperation activities and teach abroad. If the host country has an agreement with Vietnam on the recognition of qualifications and professions, then the association and cooperation activities will be very favorable.

Currently, many countries have used vocational certification as a proof and Vietnam needs to implement it to conform to international practice.

On the other hand, Mr. Vu Minh Duc also said that it is expected that the Law on Teachers will also have provisions stipulating that foreigners who practice teaching in Vietnam must have a professional certificate issued by their country, compatible and recognized by Vietnam.

In addition, when practicing teaching in Vietnam, foreigners must be trained in culture, law and other contents according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training before being allowed to practice teaching.

Dr. Vu Minh Duc said that teachers who have been recruited and are teaching at educational institutions will of course be granted a license, without having to go through any examination;

For those who have graduated from pedagogical universities or graduated from other professions and want to become teachers, after completing the internship period, being recognized as having achieved the internship results and meeting other standards, they will be granted a certificate;

In case of retired teachers who wish, they will also be granted this certificate as a recognition of their dedication to the education career.

In principle, Mr. Vu Minh Duc affirmed that a professional certificate is not a sub-license but a proof of professional capacity and replaces a number of other documents, simplifying procedures and paperwork.

“Issuing a professional certificate ensures the simplest procedure, is free of charge, and teachers can use it for life. Only in cases where teachers violate discipline or the law will their certificates be considered for revocation” – Dr. Vu Minh Duc said.

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