The importance of developing teachers as researchers in the new general education curriculum of Vietnam

Abstract

This paper focuses on the movement known as ‘teachers as researchers’, which has become an international phenomenon, and posits that it may be compatible with the policy of the ‘New General Education Curriculum’ of Vietnam. In order to examine teachers’ perceptions of their ability to undertake such research the methodology employed was qualitative in nature and consisted of two phases including a survey questionnaire with open ended questions administered to respondents in 100 high schools and secondary schools in 35 locations in cities and provinces in Vietnam, followed by in-depth interviews with four practitioners. It analyses the context, examines the challenges, and recommends strategies in order to develop teachers as researchers in the Vietnamese context. The main findings include that teachers currently lack interest in carrying out research because initial teacher training does not equip them sufficiently, they thus do not have confidence that they possess the relevant skills, and they perceive that there are limitations in support and leadership in schools, especially in relation to incentives to carry out research. The paper recommends that policy makers and school leaders take the necessary measures as soon as possible in order to encourage teachers to undertake research on practice since this would enhance the quality of teaching and students’ learning outcomes and contribute to the effective implementation of the new general education curriculum.