Summary of Doctoral Dissertation on Educational Science: Developing the competence for division heads at Nghe An’s primary schools according to competency-based approach

Purpose of the study: On the basis of theoretical and practical research, the dissertation proposes solutions to develop the team of DH of PS according to competency-based approach, meeting the requirements of general education innovation.

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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

VINH UNIVERSITY

PHUNG QUANG DUONG

DEVELOPING THE COMPETENCE FOR DIVISION HEADS

AT NGHE AN’S PRIMARY SCHOOLS ACCORDING TO

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INTRODUCTION

1 Reason for choosing the topic

At primary schools (PS), the team of division heads (DH) is the force that directly implements the requirements on the goals, contents and methods of innovating general education, as a bridge to help the principal manage professional activities and other school activities, and are responsible for the teaching quality of teachers and students' quality of the classes in charge DH have "dual" role, both a teacher and a manager However, theoretical issues about DH of PS, from positions, roles; functions and tasks of DH of PS to characteristics of pedagogical labor - management; capacity and quality requirements of DH

of PS, etc have not been studied fully and systematically

Currently, the activities of the professional group of PS are still more inclined to

"administration and affairs" but slight in terms of "speciality – professionalism" Therefore, the difficulties that teachers face in teaching and in educating students have not been solved in professional groups The main cause of the aforementioned limitation is the lack of necessary capabilities of the team of DH, especially leadership and management capacity

Nghe An is the province with a comprehensive and thriving educational movement of the whole country However, before the requirements of fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training in general, renovation of general education in particular, the province still has certain difficulties in developing human resources with high quality education, including the team of DH of PS

From the above reasons, the topic: "Developing the competence for division heads at

Nghe An’s primary schools according to competency-based approach" has been selected to

be the doctoral dissertation, specializing in Education Management

2 Purpose of the study

On the basis of theoretical and practical research, the dissertation proposes solutions to develop the team of DH of PS according to competency-based approach, meeting the requirements of general education innovation

3 Object and subject of the study

3.1 Object of the study

The team of DH of PS in the context of general education innovation

3.2 Subject of the study

Developing the team of DH at Nghe An PS according to competency-based approach

4 Scientific hypothesis

The team of DH at Nghe An’s PS still does not meet the requirements of general education innovation The cause of the above limitation is that the team of DH of PS has not been developed comprehensively and firmly If proposing and implementing solutions to develop DH at PS according to competency-based approach in all aspects (planning, using,

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training, fostering, evaluating, remunerating, etc.) and in accordance with their positions, roles and pedagogical labor management, the quality of this team can be improved

5 Tasks and scope of the study

5.1 Tasks of the study

5.1.1 Studying the theoretical basis of developing the team of DH at PS according to competency-based approach

5.1.2 Surveying the current situation of developing the team of DH at Nghe An’s PS according to competency-based approach

5.1.3 Proposing solutions to develop the team of DH at Nghe An’s PS according to competency-based approach; Surveying the urgency, feasibility and testing the proposed solutions

5.2 Scope of the study

- The dissertation focused on researching and proposing solutions to develop the team of

DH in Nghe An’s PS according to competence approach with the main management subject being the Heads of Education and Training Department of the district / town / city and the principals of PS

- Time for surveying the current situation and testing the proposed solutions in the school years 2018 - 2019 and 2019 - 2020

6 Methodology and research methods

6.1 Methodology

The dissertation uses systematic - structural approach; competence approach; approach to human resource development and practical perspectives

6.2 Research Methods

6.2.1 Group of theoretical research methods

This method group aims to collect theoretical information to build the theoretical basis of the topic

6.2.2 Group of practical research methods

This method group aims to collect practical information to build the practical basis of the topic

6.2.3 Mathematical statistical methods

Using statistical formulas to process the obtained data, comparing and giving the research results of the dissertation

7 The defense points

7.1 Developing the team of DH of PS is to make this team sufficient in number, synchronized in structure and enhanced in quality In particular, the essence of quality is the competence of the team Therefore, in order to develop the team of DH of PS effectively, it is necessary to follow the competency-based approach, which is the approach that all steps from

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planning for the development to fostering and assessing the team of DH at PS must be based

on the capacity / capacity framework of this team

7.2 The team of DH at Nghe An’s PS has basically performed their functions and tasks, but before the requirements of general education innovation, they still had certain limitations, mainly because this team has not been developed according to competency-based approach 7.3 In order to develop effectively the team of DH at Nghe An’s PS in the current period, major solutions are needed, on the one hand, based on the theory of developing the team of DH at PS according to competency-based approach; on the other hand, it is based on the reality of developing the team of DH at Nghe An’s PS These solutions must reflect the basic contents of human resource development according to competency-based approach; At the same time, taking into account the conditions affecting the development of the team of

DH at Nghe An’s PS

8 New contributions of the dissertation

8.1 The dissertation has supplemented and completed the theoretical issues on the team

of DH at PS and the development of the team according to competency-based approach, through clarifying the position and role; pedagogical labor - management of the DH at PS, capacity framework of the DH at PS in the context of general education innovation; as well as developing this team in a new way compared to before: competence approach

8.2 On the basis of a comprehensive and complete survey about the current situation and the development of the team of DH at PS in different areas of Nghe An province, the dissertation has made objective and scientific assessments (strong points , limitations, causes)

of this team, as a practical basis for proposing solutions of the topic

8.3 The six solutions proposed by the project are not only capable of applying to the development of the DH of PS according to competency-based approach in Nghe An province, but can also be applied to the development of the team of DH at PS according to competency-based approach in other areas with similar characteristics

9 The structure of the dissertation

In addition to the Introduction, Conclusion, Recommendations, References and Research Appendix, the dissertation consists of 03 chapters:

Chapter 1: Theoretical basis of developing the competence for division heads at primary schools according to competency-based approach

Chapter 2: Current situation of developing the competence for division heads at Nghe An’s primary schools according to competency-based approach

Chapter 3: Solutions to develop the competence for division heads at Nghe An’s primary schools according to competency-based approach

1.1 OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUE STUDY

1.1.1 Studies on the development of the school management team

In this content, the studies of foreign authors such as Henry Mintzbeg, JaxaPob, M Losey, S Meinge and D Uliich, Joan M F, etc.; by domestic authors such as Trinh Hong Ha, Bui Minh Hien, Nguyen Loc, Dang Ba Lam, Dang Xuan Hai, Dang Thanh Hung, Tran Kiem, Nguyen Thi Tinh, Truong Thi Bich, Nguyen Van De, Nguyen Thuy Hong, etc mentioned issues:

- The position and the role of school managers;

- Requirements for school managers and the need to develop school management team;

- Orienting the development of school management team;

- Solution to develop the school management team

1.1.2 Researches on developing the team of division heads at primary schools according to competency-based approach

Until now, the issue of developing the team of DH (or Head of academic department) has mainly been studied at university As for the development of the team of DH at PS , especially the development of this team at PS according to the competency-based approach is very little studied both in Vietnam and abroad

Research results as well as unresolved issues of domestic and foreign scientists on research issues are an important foundation to build a theoretical basis for the implementation the topic of the dissertation

`1.2 BASIC CONCEPTS

1.2.1 The division heads at primary schools

The division head of a primary school is the head of an academic group, directly managing many activities of teachers and the whole grade DH are also responsible to the principal for the teaching quality of teachers in the group and students' learning result The

DH at PS have position, roles, functions and duties as prescribefd by the Charter of the primary school

1.2.2 The team of division heads at primary schools

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The team of DH at PS is a gathering of people who manage professional groups of PS, directly take charge, organize and manage the teaching and education tasks of professional groups in the school, contributing to the implementation of the primary educational objective

is "to form the initial basis for the development of ethics, intelligence, physicality, aesthetics and competence of students; prepare for students to continue studying at lower secondary schools ”

1.2.3 Developing the team of division heads

Developing the team of DH is a part of developing human resources in general and human resources for education in particular The development of the team of DH is a management activity to ensure that this team is sufficient in number, synchronized in structure (age, gender, level) and quality improvement

1.2.4 Developing the team of division heads at primary schools according to competency-based approach

Developing the team of DH at PS according to competency-based approach is a standardized method that integrates the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to form a system of occupational competence standards of the DH at PS In order to implement the method of managing and developing the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach,

it is prerequisite to have a set of occupational competence standards; followed by

"standardizing" the content of management activities for the development of the team of DH

at PS according to the process from planning, development planning, recruitment, assignment, use, evaluation, training and fostering of the team of DH , policies for rewarding, remuneration, motivating the team, etc based on occupational competence standards of the

DH at PS

1.3 DIVISION HEADS AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE BACKGROUND

OF GENERAL EDUCATION INNOVATION

1.3.1 The role of division heads at primary schools

DH of PS have the following roles: As a manager at department level of PS; is a “bridge” between the principal and the teachers in the group; is the principal’s representative to comprehensively manage a professional group in PS

1.3.2 Functions and duties of division heads at primary schools

DH in PS have the following functions and tasks: Building overall working plan of the professional group; managing activities of members; participating in evaluating and classifying teachers in the group, etc

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1.3.3 Activities of the division heads at primary schools

Activities of DH in PS include: planning the activities of the professional group; building

a teaching - learning discipline of teachers and students in the professional group; organizing professional group activities; fostering and enhancing skills for teachers in the group; analyzing and evaluating the quality,and effectiveness of teaching and education of teachers; organizing and encouraging teachers in the group to write experience idea to disseminate and apply in the group

1.3.4 Innovating general education and the impact of general education innovation

on division heads at primary schools

Along with the fundamental and comprehensive innovation of the whole education and training system, the general education is also innovating in all aspects, from the goals, contents, methods, evaluation of educational quality to school management activities

The innovation of general education has affected the role of DH in PS; labor of DH in PS; Quality and competency requirements of DH in PS, etc

1.3.5 Opportunities and challenges for division heads at primary schools in the context of general education innovation

General education innovation has changed the perception of the position, the role of DH

in PS; creating more motivation for DH of PS to renovate the activities of the professional group; the DH have conditions to enhance their professional qualifications and management skills

General education innovation also puts DH before challenges, namely: Taking on many different roles; organizing and implementing the new primary school education program in accordance with the orientation of developing students' capacity in the class / grade in charge; organizing and implementing student assessment according to competence approach in the class / grade in charge, etc

1.3.6 Capacity framework of division heads at primary schools and training, fostering, evaluating the team of division heads at primary schools

The capacity framework of DH at PS is a comprehensive description of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that the DH of PS need to successfully complete their work Stemming from the above-mentioned understanding of the capacity framework and the requirements for qualities and competencies of teachers, managers in the context of general education innovation, the dissertation proposed the framework of DH in PS including 6 components: 1) Quality of the teacher; 2) Competence of speciality – professionalism; 3) Capacity of managing the professional group; 4) Capacity to build the educational environment; 5)

1.4 ISSUES OF DEVELOPING THE COMPETENCE FOR DIVISION HEADS

AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS ACCORDING TO COMPETENCY-BASED APPROACH 1.4.1 The need to develop the team of division heads at primary schools according

to competency-based approach

The necessity to develop the team of DH at PS according to competency-base approach comes from the following main reasons: Meeting the requirements of primary education innovation; activities of DH at PS are still limited; the shortage of scientific knowledge and management skills of many DH at PS

1.4.2 Orientation for development of the team of DH at PS according to

competency-based approach

The development of the team of DH at PS should be based on the following orientations: Developing the team of DH at PS on the basis of developing the management team of primary level and of the whole general education system; developing the team of DH must be based on the actual needs of each school; developing the team of DH at PS must be comprehensive; developing the team of DH at PS must create a close coherence between the planning, the selection, use, training, fostering and creating a favorable environment for the development of the team of DH in PS, etc

1.4.3 The content of developing the team of division heads at primary schools according to competency-based approach

The content of developing the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach includes the following aspects: Building a plan to develop the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach; selecting and using the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach; training and fostering the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach; assessing the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach; setting up a favorable environment for the team of DH at PS to promote their capabilities, etc

1.4.4 The subject of the development of the division head team at primary schools according to competency-based approach

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Participating in developing the team of DH at PS according to competency-based approach includes the following main subjects: Head of Education and Training Department; Principal of the primary school

1.4.5 Factors affect the development of the team of division heads at primary schools according to competency-based approach

Influence on the development of the team of DH at PS according to competency-based approach has many factors, including objective and subjective factors Having a thorough grasp of the factors and their effects on developing the team of DH at PS is also one of the bases for proposing solutions to develop this team

CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 1

In chapter 1, the dissertation clarified the theoretical issues about the team of DH as an important resource of PS and the development of the team of DH at PS according to competency-based approach The research results of chapter 1 are the important theoretical basis to survey the current situation and propose solutions to develop the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach in chapter 2 and chapter 3

2.1.1 Natural conditions, population, historical traditions

Nghe An is in the North Central region, the largest province in Vietnam (16,493.7 km²) Nghe An's population is the fourth largest in the country (3,327,791 people), mainly distributed in rural areas (85.3%)

Nghe An is a land of "spiritual land and preeminent people”, rich in patriotic and revolutionary traditions Nghe An is the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, the great leader, the hero of national liberation of Vietnam, the outstanding cultural celebrity Nghe An's cultural identity is very rich and unique

2.1.2 Socio-economic situation

In recent years, the socio-economic situation of Nghe An has developed strongly and firmly The province's gross domestic product (GDP) is higher than the previous year The economic structure of the province also has an increasingly reasonable shift In recent years, many fields in cultural construction and development of Nghe An have really prospered

2.1.3 The situation of education and training in Nghe An province

In recent years, Nghe An Education and Training has had a radical and comprehensive innovation in all aspects according to Resolution No 29-NQ / TW of the Party Central Committee (Session XI) In the coming time, Nghe An continues to perform tasks and solutions to develop education and training

The natural conditions, socio-economic situation and education of Nghe An province at different levels all have an impact on the development of the team of DH in PS according to competency-based approach

2.2 ORGANIZING TO SURVEY CURRENT SITUATION

2.2.1 The target of the current situation survey

In order to clarify the reality of the team of DH and develop the team of DH at PS in Nghe An province according to competency-based approach to establish the practical basis of the topic

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2.2.2 Content of the current situation survey

The content of the survey focused on the following three main issues: 1) Surveying the current situation of the team of DH at PS; 2) Surveying the current situation of developing the team of DH at PS; 3) Surveying the current situation of factors affecting the development of the team of DH at PS

2.2.3 Sample and survey subjects

For the survey selected unit

Based on the identified criteria, the dissertation selected the following 08 units to survey: Vinh City, Thai Hoa Town; Dien Chau district, Hung Nguyen district, Yen Thanh district, Do Luong district, Tan Ky district and Tuong Duong district

For managers, division heads, teachers of primary schools

The dissertation investigated 100% of managers at the department level and primary school levels; 100% DH and 10% for teachers in selected units

2.2.4 Survey method

The dissertation uses the methods: Preparing the questionnaire to get the opinions of managers, DH and teachers of PS; exchanging and interviewing by topics; researching the products of the activities of managers, DH and teachers of PS, etc

2.2.5 Method of data processing and evaluation scale

Data collected from the questionnaires is processed according to SPSS software with 5 levels

2.2.6 Survey time

In the school year 2018-2019 and the first semester of the school year 2019-2020

2.3 CURRENT SITUATION OF THE HEAD OF DIVISION HEADS AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN NGHE AN PROVINCE

2.3.1 Current situation of quantity, gender, age, training degree of the team of division heads at primary schools in the surveyed area

Table 2.4 Quantity, gender, age, training degree of team of DH at PS in the surveyed area

Area

Female (%)

Pedago-gy

Univer -sity (%)

Master (%)

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old (%) old (%) old (%) college

(%) Vinh City

(57)

100.0 (57)

0.00 (0)

0.00 (0)

92.9 (53)

7.1 (4)

0.00 (0)

94.7 (54)

5.3 (3) Thai Hoa

Town (24)

95.8 (23)

4.2 (1)

25.0 (6)

75.0 (18)

0.00 (0)

0.00 (0)

95.8 (23)

4.2 (1) Dien Chau

(88)

95.5 (84)

4.5 (4)

0.00 (0)

98.8 (87)

1.2 (1)

2.4 (2)

94.3 (83)

3.3 (3) Hung

Nguyen

(44)

100.0 (44)

0.00 (0)

0.00 (0)

95.5 (42)

4.5 (2)

31.8 (14)

65.9 (29)

2.3 (1) Yen Thanh

(82)

84.2 (69)

15.8 (13)

0.00 (0)

98.8 (81)

1.2 (1)

0.00 (0)

96.3 (79)

3.7 (3)

Do Luong

(70)

94.3 (66)

5.7 (4)

0.00 (0)

100.0 (70)

0.00 (0)

0.00 (0)

97.2 (68)

2.8 (2) Tan Ky

(48)

83.3 (40)

16.7 (8)

0.00 (0)

97.9 (47)

2.1 (1)

0.00 (0)

97.9 (47)

2.1 (1) Tuong

Duong (38)

78.9 (30)

21.1 (8)

0.00 (0)

94.7 (36)

5.3 (2)

0.00 (0)

97.3 (37)

2.7 (1)

2.3.2 The current situation of teacher quality of division heads at primary schools

Table 2.5 Result of evaluating teacher quality of DH in PS

Implementing well the

regulations about the teacher's

morals

3.61 4 3.64 4 3.51 4

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Directing to implement strictly

the regulations about the

teacher's morals in professional

3.42 4 3.56 4 3.49 4

3.58 4 3.63 4 3.50 4

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Timely updating the innovation requirements of the industry about speciality and professionalism

3.38 3 3.54 4 3.38 3

From the data of table 2.5, the dissertation has drawn comments on the teacher quality of the team of DH at PS in the surveyed area

2.3.3 Current situation on the competence of division heads at primary schools

Table 2.11 Results of the general assessment about capacity of the DH in PS

Capacity to develop the relationship

among the school, family and society

of the DH at PS

3.36 3 3.51 4 3.45 4

5 Capacity to use foreign language and

information technology of the DH at PS 2.87 3 2.90 3 2.89 3

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