Vinh City: Study abroad consulting company still operating without license

The Provincial People's Council's Culture and Society Committee has conducted a survey of the activities of a number of study abroad consulting units in Vinh city, thereby discovering that KOKONO Study Abroad Consulting Joint Stock Company does not have an operating license and its study abroad consultants do not have a consulting certificate issued by the competent authority.

KOKONO Study Abroad Consulting Joint Stock Company does not have an operating license. Photo: Mai Hoa

On the same afternoon, the Department of Culture and Society worked with the Department of Education and Training of Vinh city according to the program of surveying the activities of facilities, foreign language centers, and study abroad consulting units.

Currently, there are 39 foreign language centers and facilities in the city. In addition to the positive contributions in creating movements and improving the quality and level, especially English communication skills for students at all levels of the city, according to Mr. Thai Khac Tan - Head of the City's Department of Education and Training, there are still some foreign language centers and facilities that do not ensure classrooms and equipment for teaching, communication, and experience for learners.

Through a recent survey of some facilities, foreign language centers and study abroad consulting, at the meeting, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan - Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council raised many issues related to the State management of the City Department of Education and Training.

That is the lack of planning for foreign language facilities and centers, leading to the situation of having too many areas, leading to unhealthy competition between units. Besides, the management of foreign language training quality at facilities and centers is still lax.

Mr. Thai Khac Tan - Head of the Department of Education and Training of Vinh City admitted that there are still many limitations in the management of foreign language facilities and centers. Photo: Minh Chi

The Deputy Head of the Culture and Society Committee of the Provincial People's Council also affirmed that studying abroad is a trend that many secondary and high school students are interested in. However, the attention to propaganda and orientation of the city's education and training sector has not been paid attention to.

Regarding the issues raised by the Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council, the head of the city's education and training sector admitted that those problems are real.

According to Mr. Thai Khac Tan, planning foreign language centers and facilities is very difficult, because these units operate like businesses, so they consider choosing locations to operate effectively.

Regarding the management of English training quality, Mr. Thai Khac Tan admitted that this is a difficult task and the industry has not been able to do it yet, because in order to check and evaluate, the team of experts in the Department must have a certain level of English; on the other hand, the activities of the units are mainly outside of office hours, while civil servants and public employees must work during working hours and if they want to go, they must form a very systematic group.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan - Deputy Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council spoke at the meeting. Photo: Minh Chi

Regarding the issue of propaganda and orientation for studying abroad for students, according to the Head of the City's Department of Education and Training, it is currently mainly spontaneous and voluntary research by students and parents, without the involvement of the department.

Concluding the meeting, the Deputy Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council affirmed that the planning of the network of educational and training facilities, including non-public facilities, is under the authority of the Provincial People's Council, therefore, state management agencies at all levels must propose and advise to submit to the Provincial People's Council for decision.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan also requested the Vinh city education and training sector to strengthen the management of facilities, foreign language centers and study abroad consultancy in the area to ensure the rights of learners, contributing to improving the quality of education and training in the area; along with that, continue to pay attention to coordinating with foreign language centers to effectively implement the plan to enhance English teaching and learning in schools.