These are points of the draft regulation compiled by the HCM City Education and Training Department on the organization of private tutoring classes.

Whether to attend extra classes is still under endless argument, though the Ministry of Education and Training and experts affirm that extra classes will put a heavy burden on students.

While many parents complain that it is necessary to prohibit teachers from giving extra classes after school hours, others believe that it is illegal to do this.

And while some students complain that there is no need to attend private tutoring classes though they don’t want to, others affirm that they find private tutoring classes very useful.

Giao Duc Viet Nam newspaper, which conducted a survey at a school in Binh Tan district in HCM City, found that the majority of students there attend extra classes.

Around 81 percent of the 667 polled students said they go to private tutoring classes, 3.9 percent said they go to the classes sometimes and 15.1 percent said don’t go to the classes.

Around 81 percent of the 667 polled students said they go to private tutoring classes, 3.9 percent said they go to the classes sometimes and 15.1 percent said don’t go to the classes.

Most students have tutoring hours for two subjects at the same places (mostly at learning centers) because it is more convenient. Math is the subject that most students study. They also learn English, chemistry, physics and literature.

On average, students have 6 hours a week of private tutoring for two subjects. The time for extra classes is from 5.30 pm to 7 pm. The tutoring fee is VND800,000 for two subjects.

12th graders have busier private tutoring schedule than students of other grades, because they need to intensively prepare for the high school finals and university entrance exams. Nearly 100 percent of 12th graders attend extra classes.

Regarding the reasons for students to have private tutoring, the survey found that students want to have high scores for tests and exams. If they get low scores, they will be scolded by parents.

The second reason is that students lack effective learning methods, while they cannot ask for help from families or friends and they seek help from private tutors.

Third, the subject information given at school is too much, and teachers give too many exercises.

Fourth, students cannot understand the lessons at school and they want private tutors.

Fifth, students go to extra classes to meet friends for gossiping.

Sixth, 12th graders try to learn as much as possible to gain high scores at the high school finals.

Linh Mai 

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