Many teachers in Vietnam complain that they are facing difficulties in giving real life examples for their anti-corruption lessons, fearing the students might become disillusioned.

Teachers worry about disillusioning students

The Ministry of Education and Training recently held a meeting broadcast live on the issue which attracted the participation of many education managers and educators.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Dinh Van Minh, Deputy Director of the Institute of Investigation Science, said corruption exists in several sectors in Vietnam, ranging from petty misconduct to major cases that have caused losses of trillions of VND.

“Corruption is also found in education.Many of those who finished doctorate training are not really competent.”

He emphasised the necessity to educate students about anti-corruption at schools in order to help the young generation improve their awareness and the quality of education.

Currently, anti-corruption education is provided at the high school level, with a total of six lessons over three years.

High School students in HCM City at a lesson on financial management

A teacher from the Hanoi-based Thang Long High School said the lack of standardised curriculum  and teaching tools was largely to blame.

An anonymous official from the Bac Giang provincial Department of Education and Training, agreed with the teachers, saying the students were at a very impressionable age and may come away with wrong conceptions.

Nguyen Tien Dat, Deputy Director of the HCM City municipal Department of Education and Training said teachers play a vital role in introducing the subject, but that many teachers themselves may lack enough experience to explain it to young people.

He added that dealing with real corruption cases would help the situation.