Parents asked about the fee-charging preschool club, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training explained

Parents with children attending preschool in Ho Chi Minh City wonder: preschool children have been taught to dance, sing, and draw, but the teacher has sent registration forms to join fee-based clubs such as drawing, rhythm, mental math, etc. Those who join have to pay extra.

Parents wonder: "Are these fee-based clubs in kindergartens such as dance, jumping, rhythm, etc. different from the current preschool education program of the Ministry of Education and Training? Why can't teachers in the school teach them and need to invite outside teachers to teach?" Some parents also wonder if their children do not register to participate in these clubs, will their children be taken care of by teachers during this time, and what activities will their children participate in?

Ho Chi Minh City preschool children at a sports festival

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training explains clearly

On September 30, the leader of the Preschool Education Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training said that according to the consolidated document 01/VBHN-BGDĐT dated April 13, 2021, the Circular promulgating the Preschool Education Program, the viewpoint on building the preschool education program is clearly presented.

Firstly, the Preschool Education Program is a framework program, open in nature, expressing the goals of preschool education, regulating the requirements for the content and methods of preschool education and assessing children's development, serving as a basis for management, direction and organization of nurturing, caring for and educating children in all preschool education institutions nationwide; at the same time, it is a commitment of the State to ensure the quality of the entire system and each preschool education institution. The Preschool Education Program is built on the basis of the Party and State's viewpoint on fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training, inheriting the advantages of the previous Child Care and Education Program, developed from the viewpoint of ensuring to meet the diversity of regions and children, aiming at comprehensive development and creating opportunities for children to develop.

Second, the Preschool Education Program ensures a close connection between nursery and kindergarten ages, and is linked with the General Education Program. The program demonstrates a comprehensive, integrated, child-centered educational perspective with the educational motto "learning through play, learning through play".

And third, the program stipulates the contents applicable to all preschool children, while empowering localities, preschool educational institutions, and teachers to proactively select and supplement some educational contents and implement educational plans suitable for preschool children and local conditions and preschool educational institutions.

The leader of the Preschool Education Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training said that club contents such as drawing, rhythm, aerobics... are more in-depth content than painting, dancing, movement... that preschool teachers in class can teach children. Contents such as swimming clubs, mixed sports... also require teachers with deep expertise in these subjects to be in charge of children.

In the spirit of helping children develop comprehensively physically, emotionally, intellectually, aesthetically, and personality, preparing them well for grade 1, building necessary life skills appropriate to their age, and maximizing their potential; the school encourages children to participate in a variety of educational activities, and to familiarize preschool children with English according to Circular 50/2020/TT-BGDDT of the Ministry of Education and Training.... To do this effectively, it requires support and close coordination from the learner's family.

Ho Chi Minh City preschool children after outdoor activities, move back to class

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training: Must survey and get opinions from parents participating in clubs

The leaders of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City emphasized: Talent and life skills clubs in preschools are voluntary activities, socialized education, not compulsory. Schools develop plans to organize classes based on surveys of actual needs of parents, so that parents can register voluntarily. In order to organize the above educational activities in preschools in Ho Chi Minh City transparently, clearly, ensuring the quality of care, nurturing and education of children, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City requires all preschool education departments to comply with:

• Before organizing skill clubs and extracurricular activities for preschool children, schools must organize public announcements, surveys, and have parents register to participate in the spirit of parental consent, transparency, and no coercion;
• Schools must publicize the teaching unit and costs; clearly communicate to parents about the curriculum, goals, learning outcomes, study timetables, as well as study and care plans for children staying in class and not participating in clubs;
• All units participating in coordinating teaching with the school in educational activities and clubs must ensure full legality and records according to regulations, ensuring compliance with the provisions of law; The school principal is responsible before the law for the records and legality of the units participating in coordinating educational activities in the school;
• In the classroom, there must always be a teacher responsible for caring for, nurturing, and educating children who do not participate in clubs, ensuring absolute safety for all children. Teachers can organize activities for children in class such as coloring, participating in playing in the play corner, and rearranging the toy shelf with the teacher so that children can learn about work...
• While children participate in clubs and activities to familiarize them with English, school teachers also observe, support, and take care of them during their learning process.

The Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City requires that the organization of fee-charging clubs in kindergartens must be conducted through public opinion surveys, transparent, and in accordance with regulations.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Can preschool teachers also teach paid clubs?

The leader of the Preschool Education Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training said that the teachers are civil servants and employees in preschool education facilities, responsible for caring for and educating preschool children in each class unit, assigned by the unit's leaders, and have been paid salaries and full working regimes according to regulations. These teachers are not allowed to take on additional roles as teachers in charge of extracurricular clubs, skills... with subjects such as drawing, rhythm, sports and combined subjects (clubs with fees) in that preschool education facility.

"Regarding activities for preschool children to get acquainted with English (according to Circular 50 of the Ministry of Education and Training), in preschools in remote and disadvantaged areas where English teachers have difficulty traveling to school, these educational institutions use software and digital tools that have been approved and assessed by the Ministry of Education and Training to help preschool children get acquainted with English. In these cases, the school will coordinate with the software provider to train and develop the school's current preschool teachers, so that preschool teachers with pedagogical capacity will support and guide children to get acquainted with English on effective software," said the leader of the Preschool Education Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/phu-huynh-hoi-ve-clb-co-thu-phi-bac-mam-non-so-gd-dt-tphcm-giai-thich-185250930141013567.htm