The Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam has recently clarified that teachers are allowed to offer additional classes in subjects outside their official teaching assignments, as long as they possess the necessary qualifications. This announcement addresses a common inquiry regarding the legality of teachers charging fees for subjects they are not designated to teach in schools.

On September 6, the Ministry responded to a question concerning a scenario where a teacher assigned to teach subject A, such as Computer Science, also holds a valid qualification to teach subject B, such as Mathematics. The inquiry sought to determine whether it was permissible for the teacher to charge fees for tutoring in subject B.

The Ministry clarified that the determination of whether there is a violation of regulations regarding additional teaching depends on the students involved, rather than the subject being taught. According to Article 4 of Circular 29, effective from February 2025, teachers are prohibited from charging students for additional classes in subjects they are assigned to teach in regular school hours.

This regulation aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest between teachers and students, ensuring fairness and objectivity in additional teaching activities. Teachers may conduct additional classes in other subjects, provided they meet the required qualifications and do not charge fees to their regular students.

Furthermore, any individual or organization wishing to offer additional classes outside of school must register their business and publicly disclose information regarding tuition fees and class duration. It is also important to note that elementary school students are prohibited from attending additional classes. Teachers who violate these regulations may face fines of up to 50 million VND.

The new rules are part of ongoing efforts to regulate the additional teaching sector and ensure that educational practices remain fair and equitable for all students.