Brian Jeffrey
Dr. Do Phu Tran Tinh, an Associate Professor and head of the Policy Development Institute at HCM City National University, conducted interviews with teachers across Binh Thuan, Tay Ninh, and Hau Giang for a research project. He revealed that there continues to be a strong demand for extra classes among students. He identified three key reasons for this trend.
Firstly, the problem of ‘achievement disease’ leads to many underperforming students being promoted each year despite their inadequate knowledge. This lack of foundational understanding makes it difficult for them to keep up with new material. Consequently, parents enroll these students in private tutoring to reinforce their learning.
Secondly, modern urban parents often have high aspirations for their children and believe that participation in extra classes can enhance their academic records. These records are viewed as essential for gaining admission to prestigious schools and preparing for university entrance examinations.
Thirdly, many parents working in offices or factories cannot be available for their children after school. Therefore, they rely on teachers to provide additional lessons and supervision.
While many interviewed teachers acknowledged the parents’ discontent with private tutoring, they emphasized the necessity of this practice for their financial stability, given that their official salaries are often insufficient.
Teachers stated that parents encourage them to conduct extra classes to enhance student performance, clarifying that there is no coercion involved.
School leaders are often aware of these additional classes occurring after hours but typically remain indifferent unless prompted by parent complaints to intervene.
Teachers pointed out that in today’s digital era, mandating attendance in such classes is unrealistic.
A significant portion (63.57%) of teachers expressed support for the formal recognition of private tutoring, indicating it would allow them to earn a reasonable income through teaching rather than resorting to unrelated side jobs.
Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector at Hanoi University of Education, echoed the sentiment in favor of private tutoring. He argued for the necessity of additional learning opportunities, suggesting that a standardized curriculum is inadequate for diverse student needs in the rapidly changing 4.0 era.
Nam emphasized that gifted students require extra classes to further develop their abilities.
He believe that regulating private tutoring correctly allows teachers to leverage their expertise to create educational value while earning supplementary income in a legitimate manner. This approach is preferable to outright bans on extra classes.
Prof Tinh highlighted that most teachers engaging in supplemental education are those in primary and secondary schools, and income from these extra jobs constitutes about 12% of their total earnings.
Minister of Education and Training, Nguyen Kim Son, clarified on November 20 that the ministry’s stance is not to prohibit private tutoring altogether, but rather to restrict practices that violate ethical standards and professional integrity.
Chamaléa Thi Thuy, a National Assembly representative from Ninh Thuan, acknowledged that the demand for extra classes is not limited to struggling students; even high-achieving students seek these opportunities.
