Decentralization of school transfer resolution to principals: Schools take the initiative, students benefit

This is an important step forward, contributing to improving the quality of education and ensuring the best interests of learners.

Facilitation

Mr. Do Dinh Dao - Principal of Nguyen Huu Tho High School (Xom Chieu, Ho Chi Minh City) said that every year at the end of the school year, the school receives students who transfer in and out.

For transfer students, they must meet the criteria prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City. The documents are made public on the school's website. Regarding the admission of transfer students, the school also clearly informs that the student must have the consent of the principal of the public high school where they are studying to transfer and there must be a place available at the transfer location.

“For students whose families move to another place to live, the school is willing to create conditions for students to move or go to a high school that is convenient for them to study. Of course, because we study the 2018 General Education Program, we also carefully advise parents when the subjects chosen do not match, students will have to take a knowledge survey before receiving it,” Mr. Dao shared.

Similarly, Mr. Le Phu Hai - Principal of Da Phuoc High School (Hung Long Commune, Ho Chi Minh City) said that from July 15 to 25, the school will receive and process transfer applications. Most students wish to transfer because their families move back to their hometowns or change their residence in the inner city. The school will consider each case based on the specific reasons and actual conditions to make a decision.

“In cases where families move or parents change jobs, we always create conditions and have resolved some cases. For students who do not have a valid reason but still want to transfer, the school will meet, listen, and discuss so that they can change their decision. Because changing the learning environment will somehow affect the child’s psychology. Moreover, students requesting to transfer schools also disrupts the number of students, affecting the school’s study plan,” Mr. Hai shared.

This year, Dao Son Tay High School (Linh Xuan, Ho Chi Minh City) has handled more than 30 cases of school transfer, most of which had legitimate reasons and the school always created favorable conditions. Ms. Hoang Thi Hao - Principal of the school informed that the number of students requesting to transfer schools has decreased significantly compared to previous years.

For example, in 2019, the school received up to 100 transfer requests, with up to 20 parents having to meet with each day, but this year the number has decreased, mainly for legitimate reasons such as job transfers or house moves. “When parents want to transfer schools, I directly receive and listen. In particular, I talk to students to understand their wishes. If any student wants to transfer to facilitate their studies, the school will create conditions,” said Ms. Hao.

Reduce administrative procedures

In fact, the delegation of authority to high school principals to decide on school transfers and re-enrollment for students has been implemented by Ho Chi Minh City (old) since previous years.

After Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau merged into the new Ho Chi Minh City, Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Van Hieu signed a decision to decentralize the authority to handle some administrative procedures to the principals of public high schools, replacing Decision No. 2004 dated July 11, 2023 of the Department of Education and Training on decentralizing the authority of administrative procedures of the Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City. This decentralization not only helps reduce administrative procedures, but is also agreed and supported by school leaders.

Mr. Ho Si Nhat Nam - Principal of Hoa Binh High School in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province (formerly) now Hoa Hoi commune, Ho Chi Minh City affirmed that decentralizing authority to high school principals to handle school transfer and re-enrollment is the right policy, aiming to create favorable conditions for students and reduce administrative procedures. When there is a need to transfer schools, students can submit their application directly to the high school they want to transfer to, instead of going through an intermediary.

“Previously, when handling transfer cases, the school only signed a confirmation, but the Department of Education and Training decided whether to accept or not, and sent a document to the school. Therefore, the new regulation allows high school principals to be more proactive in receiving and handling transfer cases, creating favorable conditions for students. This helps students and parents avoid having to travel to many places to complete transfer procedures, saving time and effort,” said Mr. Nam.

Commenting on this regulation, Mr. Nguyen Van Ngai - former Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City said that the principal directly reviews and resolves school transfer applications, without having to wait for approval from higher levels. In particular, decentralization will help schools be more proactive in receiving and supporting transfer students, ensuring that they can catch up with the curriculum quickly.

“When the principal is empowered, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City will reduce the burden of administrative work, focusing on general management and direction of expertise and profession. Decentralization also helps to enhance the role and responsibility of the principal and the school's teaching staff in managing and operating educational activities, including solving problems related to students.

I think that decentralizing authority to principals to handle school transfers is considered appropriate to reality, meeting the actual needs of students and schools, especially in the context of high schools becoming more proactive and autonomous in their operations.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/phan-cap-giai-quyet-chuyen-truong-cho-hieu-truong-nha-truong-chu-dong-hoc-sinh-huong-loi-post743707.html