recently, numerous educational experts have spoken out about organizations that are not educational institutions but refer to themselves as ‘schools’, causing confusion among learners. These experts argue that regulatory bodies need to establish more specific regulations regarding the use of the term ‘school’ in names to avoid causing chaos in the nomenclature of educational institutions.
Ms. Trịnh Thị Tú Anh, a National Assembly delegate and Ph.D. from Lâm Đồng Province, emphasized the need for stricter regulations on the naming of organizations. She pointed out that allowing organizations to use the term ‘school’ in their names, even if they are not educational institutions, would lead to a confusing situation in the nomenclature of schools. Ms. Tú Anh also highlighted that even with the current number of schools operating in the country, it’s challenging for those seeking information to keep track of all the school names. Therefore, if additional organizations with ‘school’ in their names emerge, it’s inevitable that people will be confused into thinking they are educational institutions.
Sharing a similar perspective on this issue, Associate Professor Trần Hậu, a member of the Advisory Council on Science – Education and Environment of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, stressed that organizations not recognized as educational institutions but calling themselves ‘schools’ significantly impact the reputation of legitimate schools that have been licensed and operate according to the law. He advised those interested in studying for and obtaining certificates to seek out institutions that are transparent about their legal status. It is also recommended that individuals verify whether an organization is a legitimate educational institution to avoid future legal complications.
Associate Professor and Ph.D. Nguyễn Võ Kỳ Anh, former Director of the Physical Education Department, noted that education is a conditional business; thus, legitimate educational institutions must have establishment decisions and operational licenses. Only then are they allowed to use terms like ‘school’, ‘academy’, or ‘training institute’ in their official names. Dr. Kỳ Anh also praised the media for highlighting cases of organizations referring to themselves as ‘schools’, which helps citizens gain a better understanding of these entities. Furthermore, she encouraged people to be cautious when paying for participation in exams and obtaining certificates.
To address the current confusion in educational nomenclature, regulatory bodies should review and rectify the situation regarding organizations that refer to themselves as ‘schools’. Adjusting and supplementing regulations to monitor and control organizations and units with clear naming conventions, distinctly different from those of legitimate educational institutions, is a matter that warrants attention from management agencies.
