A representative from the Ministry of Education and Training announced on 17/3 that it is gathering feedback to amend Circular 29 on tutoring management. The revision aims to permit legitimate tutoring, not restricting students' legal learning needs or teachers' right to teach.

The new regulation will focus on enhancing management solutions and minimizing disguised tutoring, coercion of students, and profiteering, which negatively impact the educational environment.

"The new circular will include necessary adjustments to align with management requirements and practical circumstances," a Ministry representative stated.

The issuance date for the new circular has not been set.

Students at Do Muoi High School, Hanoi, 2/2026. Photo: Hoang Giang

Circular 29, effective mid-2/2025, stipulated that junior high and high schools could only offer tutoring to three student groups: underperforming students, gifted students, and graduating students voluntarily preparing for exams, all free of charge. Teachers were prohibited from collecting tutoring fees from their own students.

These regulations have been controversial for the past year. Many experts acknowledged that Circular 29 brought positive results, such as reducing widespread tutoring and separating teachers' economic interests from their teaching duties. Parents also felt less pressure regarding their children not attending tutoring with their school teachers.

However, numerous shortcomings persisted. Early this month, during a feedback session on the National Assembly Standing Committee's public petition report, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh noted that families incurred higher costs when their children could not attend in-school tutoring. Beyond tuition, both parents and teachers faced additional transportation expenses. A VnExpress survey indicated that external tutoring costs increased 2-4 times compared to in-school options, for the same duration and class size.

Parents pay 2-4 times more when schools restrict tutoring.

Early March, at a voter meeting in Hanoi's electoral unit 7, Le Van Linh expressed concern that his junior high children, who only attended morning classes, could no longer access afternoon tutoring at school. At home, students were "idle," watching phones and social media. Sending children to private tutoring centers incurred significantly higher costs.

Acting Minister Hoang Minh Son stated he was "impressed" by this feedback. He affirmed the Ministry's commitment to "combat unhealthy phenomena" in tutoring but would also consider other perspectives. He and the Ministry will conduct thorough research to ensure students' right to learn and develop individual capabilities, while creating fairness and minimizing negative issues.

Thanh Hang