Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training: School model is not as important as having a capable principal

Previously, at the group discussion session on the afternoon of December 11, delegates said that the policy of merging schools on an inter-level scale was not highly feasible and would affect the quality of teaching and learning.

On the morning of December 12, in the 17th session of the 17th Nghe An Provincial People's Council, Mr. Thai Van Thanh - Director of the Department of Education and Training of Nghe An had a discussion to clarify this content.

Mr. Thai Van Thanh - Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training spoke at the discussion session in the hall. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Director of the Department of Education and Training of the province said: Choosing the modelschool mergerBased on specific local practical conditions, the top principle is to ensure the rights and interests of students and the convenience of parents.

Therefore, the head of the Nghe An Department of Education and Training said that when merging, where conditions permit and the distance is not too far, the merger will follow a "horizontal" model: primary school with primary school, junior high school with junior high school; and where the distance is too far, the merger will be "vertical": primary school with junior high school into a basic general school, to ensure the rights of students.

To clarify, Mr. Thai Van Thanh said: The Ministry of Education and Training has regulations regulating kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools and multi-level general schools. In particular, the model of inter-level schools is under the regulations of multi-level general schools. On the other hand, according to the regulations, kindergartens are not allowed to merge.

Re-raising the issue that delegates are still pondering and wondering about, is it feasible to merge into an inter-level school? Effective or ineffective? The Director of the Department of Education and Training of Nghe An said: Currently, there is no research confirming that merging schools under the "horizontal" model will be more effective than the "vertical" model - that is, merging into an inter-level school.

Even the international school model in the world and in Vietnam basically has 3 levels, some schools even have preschool level. In Nghe An there is no international school yet, but there are 2 schools operating according to the international model with many levels of education which also show good results.

Delegates attending the discussion session in the hall on the morning of December 12. Photo: Thanh Cuong

According to the Director of the Department of Education and Training, the key still lies in the people and personnel at schools, especially the principals. From preschool to secondary school, the authority to recruit and appoint officials and teachers belongs to the district level, therefore, Mr. Thai Van Thanh suggested that the standing committees of districts, cities and towns pay attention to leadership and direction to improve the quality of management staff and teachers at related levels.

In particular, the most important thing is when choosing the head of the school, that is, the principal, including the principal of the inter-level school, must have vision. The principal must have qualities such as: having a plan, strategy to outline the vision for the school and having good management capacity in aspects such as: educational environment, human resources, facilities, finance...

“Choosing such people is number one” - Director of Nghe An Department of Education and Training emphasized the role of the principal; at the same time, he said that the Department is also focusing on building a more professional and qualified team of teachers to meet new requirements. In addition, he hopes that voters in the province will share, support and accompany the education sector to successfully carry out the career of educating people.