Speaking at a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting on 23/9, Vinh emphasized fostering a positive school culture to prevent violence and educate students about morality and appropriate behavior. However, he expressed concern about the education sector's current inclination towards avoiding punishment in favor of counseling and persuasion.
"In any society, there will always be diverse individuals. Will persuasion alone be effective? The failure of education in schools will negatively impact society in the future," he said.
While agreeing with the principle of protecting and appropriately interacting with students, the chairman believes more careful consideration is needed regarding disciplinary measures, especially for cases of "serious deviance." He argued that mere reprimands or self-criticism are too lenient and unlikely to have the desired educational impact.
Recently, at Dai Kim Secondary School (Hanoi), a 7th-grade male student grabbed his homeroom teacher's hair, pushed her head down, and knocked her to the ground when asked to hand over a sharp toy. The incident lasted for about two minutes before the student retrieved the toy. The school contacted the parents and asked the student to apologize to the teacher in front of the class. The family voluntarily kept their child out of school for 10 days for further discipline. A representative from Dinh Cong ward stated, "The teacher has forgiven him, and the school and local authorities are working together to stabilize the student's psychological state."
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Nguyen Dac Vinh, chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Social Affairs. Photo: National Assembly Portal |
Nguyen Dac Vinh, chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Social Affairs. Photo: National Assembly Portal
Circular 19, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and effective from 31/10, stipulates the highest level of disciplinary action for students as writing a self-criticism, replacing the previous suspension from school. The MOET stated the document reflects the policy of separating school discipline from administrative or criminal penalties, which fall under the jurisdiction of the law. According to the circular, school discipline should be educational, aiming to help students recognize their mistakes, voluntarily correct them, and cultivate a positive lifestyle.
Regarding the Dai Kim incident, Vu Minh Duc, director general of the Department of Teachers and Educational Administrators, considered the student's behavior serious, affecting teacher safety and the educational environment. He believed the misconduct warranted strict handling, but the measures should both deter and provide opportunities for the student to reform.
Hoang Duc Minh, director of the Student Affairs Department, also affirmed that Circular 19's direction is to shift from "punishment" to "education and support," aligning with the goal of developing students' comprehensive qualities and capabilities. He noted that administrative measures like suspension or expulsion could deprive students of education from school and family, increasing the risk of legal violations.
Addressing concerns about the leniency of the new regulations, Minh emphasized that all violations remain subject to the legal system. "Depending on the severity and consequences, individuals can be dealt with under criminal law, juvenile justice law, and other regulations," he said.
The MOET also requires schools to cooperate with relevant authorities in cases beyond their jurisdiction, while strengthening psychological counseling and social work to support students in correcting their behavior.
Son Ha
