About the article "Should reconsider the way to evaluate good teachers"

(Baonghean) -On page 5, Exchange section, Nghe An Newspaper No. 9364 published on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, published the article “Should reconsider the way to evaluate good teachers” by author Bui Minh Tuan. After reading this article, I would like to exchange as follows:

Firstly, for the past 7 years (since the 2006-2007 school year), the Education and Training sector no longer has the title of Excellent Teacher (at all levels). According to the provisions of the Law on Emulation and Commendation, individual emulation titles include: Advanced Worker; Emulation Fighter at the grassroots level (many people mistakenly think it is Emulation Fighter at the grassroots level); Emulation Fighter at the provincial level (or at the level of ministries, branches, central organizations) and National Emulation Fighter. To consider awarding these titles, we currently base on Decree No. 42/2010/ND-CP dated April 15, 2010; Circular No. 02/2011/TT-BNV dated January 24, 2011; specifically, the Education and Training sector has Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BGDDT dated April 3, 2012. The awarding of individual emulation titles is based on the entire process of striving and comprehensive training of each person within a certain period of time (1 year, 3 years, 6 years - depending on each title) and not just based on professional results through a certain competition. In essence, in the education and training sector, the title of Emulation Fighter has now replaced the previous title of Excellent Teacher.

Previously, the Education and Training sector had the title of Excellent Teacher (school, district and provincial levels), but this was not a competitive title prescribed by the State but only a title of a professional agency used to affirm the professional capacity of teachers. The selection of excellent teachers at all levels is currently carried out according to three circulars: Circular No. 21/2010/TT - BGD&DT dated July 20, 2010 for general education and continuing education; Circular No. 49/2011/TT - BGD&DT dated October 26, 2011 for preschool education and Circular No. 25/2012/TT - BGD&DT dated June 29, 2012 for professional education.

The contest regulations issued with these circulars affirm: “The contest is a professional activity of schools ...”. The title of Excellent Teacher at all levels is just one of many bases for schools to consider and propose to competent authorities to award the title of Excellent Teacher at all levels in the past and the title of Emulation Fighter at all levels at present to teachers. That is, the title of Excellent Teacher in the past and the title of Emulation Fighter at present are considered and honored by the collective and absolutely cannot be obtained from a contest. Unfortunately, author Bui Minh Tuan confused the title of Excellent Teacher (before) with the title of Excellent Teacher.

One more thing to add: The competition to select excellent teachers at all levels used to have two contents as author Bui Minh Tuan mentioned (theoretical test and practical test), but now it is no longer like that and has been supplemented more completely. According to the above circulars, the competition to select excellent teachers at all levels is carried out with three contents: innovative experiences or results of applied pedagogical scientific research; testing the ability to understand professional knowledge or skills, pedagogical skills related to the scope of the educational program of the level that the teacher teaches, or understanding of policies, guidelines, orientations for educational innovation and the guidance of the industry; practicing teaching 2 periods in the curriculum at the time of the competition, of which 1 period is chosen by the teacher and 1 period is determined by the organizing committee by drawing lots. Another new point that was not previously included in the contest is: After teachers complete their teaching tests, the judges meet with the participating teachers and education managers to discuss, comment and evaluate the main advantages and disadvantages of the teaching hours; at the same time, contribute ideas, draw lessons, and listen to feedback from the teachers participating in the contest.

Minh Duc