Consider issuing teacher certification.

This is the first time that the definition of teachers, linked to the specific characteristics of the profession, has been fully and systematically regulated, serving as a basis for standardizing and proposing regulations and policies for teachers.

According to Dr. Vu Minh Duc, Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Management Staff, Ministry of Education and Training, the basic professional practice certificate will have a positive impact on teachers and educational institutions. Specifically, the professional practice certificate facilitates changes in the teaching environment for teachers. The certificate is valid nationwide, so teachers do not need to repeat the probationary period regardless of where they teach; it reduces procedures for teachers when: transferring and signing indefinite or fixed-term employment contracts, teaching as visiting lecturers or teaching across schools; when teachers transfer from public to private educational institutions or vice versa; and when retired teachers continue to teach according to the needs of the educational institution.

Professional certification serves as a guarantee of consistent teaching and educational quality among educational institutions; it ensures many requirements of international integration, facilitates the exchange of teachers between countries, and, most importantly, helps control the quality of foreigners working in education in Vietnam.

Professional certification aims to elevate the status and role of teachers by differentiating them from other professions, particularly distinguishing those who are qualified to teach from those who are unqualified but claim to be "teachers," a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly common, especially on social media.

According to Dr. Vu Minh Duc, to avoid disruption when applying regulations on professional certificates, the draft Law on Teachers has calculated a smooth transition plan for 1.6 million teachers who were recruited into the profession before the Law came into effect, allowing them to be granted professional certificates without needing to take an examination. Retired teachers, if they wish, will also be examined to obtain a professional certificate to acknowledge their contributions to education or to continue their professional activities. In addition, foreign teachers, if they meet the conditions stipulated by the competent authority and have the need, will also be granted a certificate after passing the examination.

Teacher Do Thi Bich Hoa, a teacher at Thach Xa Primary School in Thach That district, expressed: “A professional certificate will create many advantages and protect the rights of teachers; it is also the easiest proof to know if someone is a teacher. With a professional certificate, the status of a teacher will certainly be elevated.”

With over 30 years of experience in the education sector, Dr. Nguyen Van Hoa - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nguyen Binh Khiem School ( Hanoi ) - supports the issuance of professional certificates for teachers because, according to him, to be recognized as a teacher, after graduating from a pedagogical program, teachers still need to undergo further training and professional development.

I'm still wondering why?

Alongside opinions in favor, there are still many concerns about the necessity and feasibility of professional certification for teachers. Notably, these opinions come not only from those outside the education sector, but also from many people who have worked, are working, or will work in the education sector or are directly involved in the teaching profession.

The first concern is whether the teacher's professional certification will generate additional costs and administrative procedures. There is currently no precise basis to answer this question, but according to the draft regulations, teachers recruited into public, private, and independent educational institutions who meet the teacher standards after the Law comes into effect will have to undergo an examination, and only if they pass will they be granted a professional certification. An examination naturally involves an organizing body, examination questions, an examination board, and costs. Therefore, the increase in procedures and costs is anticipated.

Addressing another aspect, teacher Dinh Thi Ha, residing in Thai Nguyen province, shared her concern regarding the teaching certification process: the time it takes. “The examinations are often theoretical or focused on regulations; moreover, teachers may have to attend refresher courses before taking the exam. So how long does it take for teachers to obtain the certification?” – Ms. Ha stated.

Expressing her opinion on this matter, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Linh, a teacher at Nguyen Trai High School in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, believes that thorough and careful consideration is still necessary before deciding to grant professional certificates to teachers. Alternatively, regulations could be established specifying which individuals need to pass an examination to obtain a professional certificate, such as: those who did not major in pedagogy but teach; foreigners teaching in Vietnam; retired teachers who need a certificate; while university graduates in pedagogy should be granted certificates without needing to pass an examination.

Currently, the draft Law on Teachers is still in the stage of soliciting opinions from ministries, sectors, and localities. Many ministries and sectors believe that this matter needs careful consideration because it could be costly and cumbersome. For example, the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education stated that granting licenses to the current 1.6 million teachers is "very difficult." The Ministry of Interior suggested considering the necessity, feasibility, and specific impact assessment of the regulations on granting professional certificates to teachers.

Meanwhile, the Ministries of Industry and Trade, Construction, and Culture, Sports and Tourism argue that this license should not exist because it is "complex and unnecessary," creating additional administrative procedures for teachers and management agencies. The ministries also express concerns that the new license would be costly, create recruitment difficulties, risk generating sub-licenses, and hinder the attraction and utilization of talent. According to the plan, the draft Law on Teachers will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration at the October session.