VietNamNet Bridge – More work needs to be done to train and attract highly qualified teachers, particularly at the kindergarten and primary levels, representatives from pedagogy universities and colleges have told the HCM City Department of Education and Training.

Many new graduates fail to meet demand, according to Pham Quang Ai, head of the department's personnel management division. The students all have to be retrained.

Nguyen Kim Hong, vice rector of the HCM City University of Education, said that universities were willing to adapt, but the department must be more specific about what the school system required.

Huynh Trong Khai, rector of the HCM City Pedagogy University for Gymnastics and Sport, asked the department to give estimated figures on how many teachers were needed for sport and gymnastics.

He also wanted to know the reasons why the school system was finding it difficult to recruit teachers, particularly at the primary and kindergarten level.

According to the education department, the city is expected to recruit 3,409 teachers for all levels in the 2012-2013 period, but has hired only 2,147 so far.

By 2020, the number of schools in the city are predicted to increase to 2,332, with 6.8 million students enrolled from the kindergarten to high school level.

By the same year, the city will need 159,215 teachers and management staffs, according to a report from the education department.

There will be a shortage of teachers and staff if the department does not create preferential policies to attract students, besides the current tuition exemptions, according to Khai.

Many other provinces and cities have developed preferential policies to attract students to enrol at pedagogy universities.

Khai also said the education department should work with the city's People's Committee to expand facilities for pedagogy universities and colleges.

Hong pointed out that many universities, including pedagogy schools, would like to have teaching practical for students in the first or second year of enrolment, but under the current system, this could not be carried out.

Other conference participants suggested that the city create a legal framework that would allow the education department to build schools for students to practise teaching.

A council composed of the heads of universities and colleges in the pedagogy sector would also be valuable, they said, adding that it could offer ideas and assistance in improving human resources at the tertiary level.

* Vocational teachers to train in Germany

Teachers from the central city of Da Nang have been sent to Berlin to attend two-month training courses on their specialist fields.

During the course, 11 teachers will take study tours at different vocational training schools, manufacturing lines and automobile repair workshops.

Nguyen Van Huong, a teacher from the Nguyen Van Troi Vocational Training School, said he hoped that Germany's world class vocational training system would benefit the teachers.

Source: VNS