Do not prohibit extra teaching but prohibit acts that violate teachers' ethics

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said the policy is not to ban extra classes but to ban unethical behaviors of teachers such as "teachers forcing students to take extra classes".

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son spoke at the National Assembly this morning (November 20). (Source: National Assembly)

On the morning of November 20, the National Assembly discussed the Law on Teachers. Speaking to clarify some opinions raised by National Assembly deputies, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son expressed his emotion as today is a very special day.

Thanking the opinions of the National Assembly delegates discussing the draft Law on Teachers, the Minister expressed that with the highly supportive, approving, and unified views that were exchanged, one could feel the consensus of the delegates; that is not only support for the draft Law on Teachers, but also shows responsibility to the education sector and the country.

The Minister thanked the National Assembly Standing Committee for arranging November 20 for the National Assembly to discuss this law. "On November 20 this year, the happiness of teachers is multiplied a lot, because at this time the National Assembly is discussing the Law on Teachers. Not to mention the content, just the fact that the Government and the National Assembly agreed to build the Law is a great recognition and encouragement for teachers," Mr. Son shared.

Minister Nguyen Kim Son stated that with this law, we must accept that there are some provisions that will be different from other laws. If the provisions are the same as other laws, it will not be favorable for the development of the teaching staff. For example, the provisions on retirement age will be different from the Labor Code, or teachers teaching in multiple schools, transferring, and working for more than one facility will be different from the provisions of the Law on Civil Servants.

"The delegates saw some differences, but if it serves the goal of developing the teaching staff, and also hopes that some laws have been amended, any content that hinders development, even if it is different but brings good things, then we are ready to accept the differences," said Mr. Son.

Regarding ensuring that teachers' salaries are ranked highest in the administrative career salary scale system, the Minister emphasized that when drafting legal documents and following the direction of the General Secretary, we must also look at other sectors.

"We also do not want our industry to have any special privileges, benefits or any unusual favors. Teachers are inherently responsible, tolerant and altruistic people. It is impossible for us to live happily while next to us, others are poorer than us. Teachers do not accept that. Here, only a very large part of the 1.6 million teachers are still at a level where they cannot make a living. If they cannot make a living, they cannot wholeheartedly devote themselves to teaching," Minister Nguyen Kim Son stated clearly.

In addition, the Minister analyzed that for a country that has just escaped poverty, is not yet a rich country, and when priority is needed, it is certainly impossible to "give priority to everything". Therefore, when considering a strategic breakthrough, the top national policy must definitely have priority.

Regarding the specific determination of salaries to ensure a minimum living standard for teachers, Minister Son said the bill sets out a number of principles and the Government will provide specific regulations.

Regarding the issue of extra teaching raised by some delegates, the Minister said that the policy is not to ban extra teaching but to ban acts that violate teachers' ethics and professional rules, including "teachers forcing students to take extra classes".

According to the Minister, in addition to the Law on Teachers, there is also the Law on Education and many other laws, so the draft Law on Teachers cannot cover it all. In addition, the draft Law must also accept a few points that are different from other laws to suit the development of the teaching force.

Emphasizing the need to absorb as much as possible of all opinions, including 90 opinions discussed in groups and 36 opinions discussed in the hall of the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly, the Minister of Education and Training affirmed that the draft Law on Teachers was developed partly because of the difficulties of teachers, but the main reason is to develop the teaching staff.

On the occasion of Vietnamese Teachers' Day November 20, on behalf of educators, Minister Nguyen Kim Son sent best wishes to National Assembly delegates who are working in the education sector.

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