VietNamNet Bridge - A sociological survey by Dr Nguyen Khanh Trung from the Institute for Research on Educational Development (IRED) has shown an interesting perspective about the difference in how Vietnamese and French parents educate their children.

After interviewing 13 Vietnamese and 13 French parents (mostly mothers), of various educational backgrounds, he found that Vietnamese and French share the common view that every child is an unique person who needs specific method.

This is, according to Trung, a progressive educational perspective. This shows that Vietnamese parents seem to be ahead of the Ministry of Education & Training in educating children. 

“They (the parents) realized that a common policy must not be applied to all children, while every child needs a specific educational method, depending on his characteristics and conditions.

Finland is the country which can handle with the issue very well. The country applies many different textbooks and teaching methods to different students in an effort to maximize individuals’ potential.

Most Vietnamese parents want their children to have high education levels which they believe is the only good way for the children to make their way in the world.

However, Trung found many differences in the educational methods followed by Vietnamese and French parents. 

Vietnamese parents highlight obedience when educating their children. They want the children to obey adults’ instructions. Self-control and the ability to develop ideas of their own is not the virtue they emphasize.

Most Vietnamese parents want their children to have high education levels which they believe is the only good way for the children to make their way in the world. 

Rural parents wish to see their children learn well so as to obtain good jobs which can help them ‘have new lives’. Good learning records and high scores for school works are always priority tasks set for children.

Trung noted that in families, grandparents still have power to intervene in the children's education, which is the major task for parents. Grandparents and parents, especially the less educated, tend to command and use rods when educating children.

Meanwhile, French parents attach a great deal of importance to children’s self-control and self-discipline, critical thinking, responsibility and independence. The parents want their children to live happily and do what children want, while they don’t believe that a higher education degree is a must.

Parents take the responsibility of educating children, while grandparents cannot intervene in French families.

While Vietnamese parents like giving rewards to their children, mostly for high school marks, French parents do not give rewards based on school records.

Nguyen Tuan Hoa, a parent in Cau Giay district, who is a PhD, commented that Vietnamese parents were wrong to follow the education method to produce obedient children.

“Talented people won’t be found among the children who only obey instructions and do everything they are told to do uncritically,” he said.


TBKTSG