It is necessary to distinguish between professional certification and professional practice certificate.
While affirming the necessity of professional certification for teachers, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thanh Huyen emphasized the need for specific guidelines and effective implementation.
The difference between professional certification and professional license.
Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thanh Huyen - former Director of the Institute of Educational Management Research, Academy of Educational Management - emphasized the need to distinguish between professional certifications (resulting from training and professional development) and professional practice certificates.
Professional certifications and licenses are both official documents that confirm an individual's abilities, knowledge, and skills in a specific field.
However, they have the following fundamental differences:
| Professional certification | Professional license | |
| Concept | A certificate is a certification issued by an educational or training institution or professional body to an individual after they have completed a specific training program or specialized course. | It is a type of license issued by state agencies or specialized organizations authorized by the state, allowing an individual to practice in a specific field. |
| Purpose | Confirming that the individual has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a specific field. | It allows and confirms the right of an individual to legally practice in a specific field. |
| Issuing authority | These certificates may be issued by universities, colleges, vocational training centers, or specialized organizations. | These are usually state management agencies such as the Ministry of Education and Training, the Department of Education and Training, or competent professional organizations (professional associations). |
Specific instructions are needed.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thanh Huyen, it is necessary for teachers to be recognized and granted professional practice certificates. However, specific guidelines are needed.
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| Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Thi Thanh Huyen. |
For teachers and educational administrators currently on duty (who have been recruited and possess all necessary qualifications and professional certificates), professional practice certificates should be issued immediately without requiring them to undergo examinations or certification tests.
Avoid the situation where "All teachers take a professional certification exam," which is merely a formality, costly, and creates negative reactions from teachers and education administrators.
Previously, professional certifications, IT skills certificates, foreign language certificates, etc., proved ineffective, causing teachers to waste both time and money to obtain them, but many of these certificates were later eliminated.
Some argue that training institutions should issue professional licenses to students along with their diplomas. However, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thanh Huyen believes that training institutions can only certify the completion of the program, while the issuance of professional licenses must be done by the state management agency, as it is necessary to assess whether teachers have sufficient professional competence in practice and whether they are actually practicing their profession.
The proposed hierarchical structure for issuing professional certificates in the Draft Law on Teachers is quite appropriate: the governing body of each educational institution will issue professional certificates to teachers within its jurisdiction/affiliated unit (Certificate templates are issued by the Ministry of Education and Training).
To effectively apply professional certification to teachers today, Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thanh Huyen notes the following:
Clearly defined standards and procedures for issuing certificates;
Continuous professional training and development;
Quality assessment and testing.
Support and incentive policies;
Strict management and supervision:Ensure that the issuance of professional certificates is carried out according to proper procedures and without negative practices or corruption. Develop a data management system for professional certificates of teachers and administrators in general education institutions to facilitate monitoring and inspection.
Create a positive work environment:Improving working conditions and creating a positive and friendly teaching environment will enable teachers and administrators in general education institutions to maximize their potential. It encourages cooperation and the sharing of experiences among teachers, fostering a vibrant and active learning community.
Building a learning community for teachers and educational administrators:Learning from domestic and international experiences; Teacher exchange: Encouraging teacher exchange programs to broaden perspectives and learn advanced teaching methods.
According to Associate Professor Dr. Dang Thi Thanh Huyen, applying professional certification to teachers not only aims to improve the quality of education but also helps ensure the sustainable development of the teaching profession. Focusing on these factors will contribute to building a high-quality teaching staff, meeting the increasingly high demands of society in educating and training the younger generation.