Vietnam's high schools are grappling with a significant shortage of Music and Art teachers, a problem that was recently highlighted at the scientific workshop titled "Arts education towards developing competencies and qualities in general education institutions in Vietnam," hosted by the Faculty of Arts at Hanoi National University of Education.

Associate Professor Dr. Trinh Hoai Thu, Deputy Director of the Primary Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), detailed the severity of the situation.

"While primary schools are generally well-staffed with Music and Art teachers, and lower secondary schools manage with minor shortages, high schools are facing a near-total absence of teachers for these subjects, except in certain private and international institutions," explained Dr. Thu.

With nearly 2,400 high schools across the country requiring at least two arts teachers each, the current deficit amounts to approximately 4,800 teachers, a figure that does not account for additional shortages at lower educational levels.

The distribution of Music and Art teachers is highly uneven, with metropolitan areas like Hanoi having surpluses—some primary schools in Dong Da district boast up to seven Music teachers—while remote and mountainous regions suffer from acute scarcities. This imbalance poses a significant challenge to equitable education access across different regions.

Despite a considerable number of graduates in Music and Art education, many choose not to pursue teaching careers. "The transition from graduation to the classroom is not as straightforward as it seems, which contributes to the shortage," Dr. Thu added.

The disparity in training quality among institutions further complicates the issue. Associate Professor Dr. Ha Hoa, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at Dai Nam University, highlighted inconsistencies in the training programs across universities.

"Our findings indicate that many Music education graduates lack a thorough understanding of traditional Vietnamese music, which is alarming," noted Dr. Ha.

The workshop called for substantial reforms in teacher training programs to better align with the practical needs of general education. "We need a curriculum that is less focused on producing virtuosos and more on cultivating well-rounded educators who can inspire and teach effectively within the general education framework," stated Dr. Thu.

Vu Thi Thu Ha, Principal of To Hoang Secondary School in Hanoi, emphasized the need to improve the professional standing and working conditions of arts teachers to foster innovation and commitment in their roles.

"Enhancing their professional development through contests and further training could greatly motivate arts teachers and enrich the educational experience for students," she suggested.

Thanh Hung