Circular No. 07/2017/TT-BLDTBXH on working conditions for vocational education teachers

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the working conditions of vocational education teachers

Pursuant to the Labor Code dated June 18, 2012;

Pursuant to the Law on Vocational Education dated November 27, 2014;

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 14/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 48/2015/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2015, of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Vocational Education Law;

At the proposal of the Director General of the General Department of Vocational Education;

The Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs issues this Circular stipulating the working conditions of vocational education teachers.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. This Circular stipulates the working regime of teachers teaching at colleges, vocational schools, vocational education centers, and public, private, and foreign-invested enterprises registered for vocational education activities (hereinafter referred to collectively as vocational education activity establishments).

3. This Circular does not apply to teacher training colleges and teachers teaching teacher training programs under the management of the Ministry of Education and Training.

1. Standard hours are units of time converted from the necessary labor hours before, during, and after class to complete teaching tasks including: preparing lessons; conducting classes; periodically checking the learning outcomes of modules and subjects.

2. Teaching time in the training plan is calculated in standard hours, including:

a) One theoretical lecture hour is 45 minutes equivalent to one standard hour;

b) One integrated lecture hour (combining both theory and practice) is 60 minutes equivalent to one standard hour;

c) One practical lecture hour is 60 minutes equivalent to one standard hour.

3. The lecture hour quota is determined as the number of standard hours that each teacher must teach, specified annually.

4. Class size: Theoretical classes shall not exceed 35 students, pupils, or students. Practical and integrated classes shall not exceed 18 students, pupils, or students for ordinary trades; and shall not exceed 10 students, pupils, or students for heavy, toxic, or dangerous trades according to the List issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. The Rector, Director of vocational education activity establishments shall determine the specific number of students, pupils, or students in each class, ensuring suitability with the characteristics of each trade.

Chapter II
TASKS AND WORK REGIME OF COLLEGE AND VOCATIONAL TEACHERS

Article 3. Tasks

1. Teaching work, including:

a) Lesson preparation: Drafting lesson plans, outlining lectures, preparing materials and equipment for module and subject teaching assignments;

b) Teaching assigned modules and subjects according to the schedule and program regulations;

c) Evaluating student learning outcomes, including: Preparing examination questions, supervising examinations, and evaluating periodic examinations.

2. Conducting exams, assessments, and evaluations at the end of modules and subjects; grading admission tests; grading graduation tests; guiding and evaluating final projects and graduation theses; assessing research results of students.

3. Completing management forms and registers for classes assigned according to regulations.

4. Guiding students in final projects and graduation theses (if applicable); guiding internships combined with production work; training outstanding students for various levels of examinations.

5. Compiling textbooks and teaching materials; providing comments on the development of programs and module contents for assigned teaching subjects.

6. Participating in designing and building specialized classrooms; designing, improving, and making educational tools and equipment for vocational training.

7. Organizing educational activities and training students.

8. Engaging in standardization training, advanced training; practicing at enterprises or specialized agencies; observing and exchanging teaching experiences.

9. Participating in teacher training as required by the school's professional and vocational development needs.

10. Engaging in scientific research; guiding students to participate in scientific research; applying scientific and technological advancements or technical improvements to teaching and practical production.

11. Participating in professional meetings and management training activities.

Article 4. Working hours and annual leave

1. The working hours for teachers teaching at college and vocational levels are 44 weeks/year under a 40-hour workweek system, including:

a) Teaching and educating students: 32 weeks for teachers teaching at the college level; 36 weeks for teachers teaching at the vocational level;

c) Internship at enterprises or specialized agencies: 4 weeks for teachers teaching at both the college and vocational levels;

a) Summer break replaces annual leave, with full salary and allowances (if applicable);

b) Other leave benefits are implemented in accordance with current laws;

c) Based on the academic year plan and specific conditions of each vocational education activity establishment, the Rector, Director shall arrange leave periods for teachers at appropriate times.

Article 5. Teaching Hour Quotas

The Rector, Director shall base decisions on actual circumstances of the vocational education activity establishment, characteristics of each module and subject, and the qualifications of teachers to set appropriate teaching hour quotas for the academic year.

2. The teaching hour quotas for teachers teaching general subjects in one academic year are 450 standard hours for teachers teaching at the college level; 510 standard hours for teachers teaching at the vocational level.

a) Principal: 30 standard hours/year;

b) Deputy Principal: 40 standard hours/year;

c) Department Heads and equivalents: 60 standard hours/year;

d) Deputy Department Heads and equivalents: 70 standard hours/year;

e) Staff members of specialized and professional departments related to training; student management; examination and quality assurance: 80 standard hours/year.

6. The teaching hour quotas for teachers in the Teacher Training Department of vocational education institutions shall be calculated according to the teaching hour quotas for teachers teaching at the college level.

7. Other specialized and administrative staff members qualified to teach may enter into teaching contracts based on workload and assigned tasks if there is a need, upon the decision of the Rector, Director of the vocational education activity establishment.

Chapter III
TASKS AND WORKING REGIMES OF TEACHERS TEACHING AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL

Article 6. Duties

1. Teaching work, including:

a) Teaching preparation: Preparing lesson plans, outlining lecture outlines, preparing teaching materials and equipment for the assigned module instruction;

b) Delivering the assigned module according to the plan and program regulations;

c) Evaluating students' learning outcomes including: Compiling examination questions, supervising examinations, evaluating periodic examinations.

2. Supervising examinations, conducting evaluations at the end of the module.

3. Completing management forms and registers for classes assigned according to regulations.

4. Compiling textbooks and teaching materials; providing comments on the development of the program and content of the assigned module.

5. Participating in designing and constructing specialized classrooms; designing, improving, and making educational tools and equipment.

6. Organizing educational activities and training for students.

7. Engaging in standardization training, advanced training; observing classes, exchanging teaching experiences; undergoing internships at enterprises or specialized agencies, participating in professional activities.

8. Participating in teacher training programs according to professional development requirements.

9. Participating in training management work, student management.

Article 7. Working hours and annual leave

1. The working time for teachers teaching at the basic level is 46 weeks/year under a 40-hour workweek system, including:

a) Teaching and educating students: 42 weeks;

b) Standardization training, advanced training; observing classes, exchanging teaching experiences; participating in professional activities: 02 weeks;

c) Internship at enterprises or specialized agencies: 02 weeks;

a) Summer break replaces annual leave, with full salary and allowances (if applicable);

b) Other leave benefits are implemented in accordance with current laws;

c) Based on the academic year plan and specific conditions of each vocational education activity establishment, the Rector, Director of the vocational education activity establishment shall arrange leave periods for teachers at appropriate times.

1. The teaching hour quota for teachers teaching at the basic level in one school year ranges from 500 to 580 standard hours.

The Rector, Director of the vocational education activity establishment shall base decisions on actual circumstances, characteristics of each module, qualifications, and teaching experience of teachers to set appropriate teaching hour quotas for the academic year.

2. The lecture hour quota for civil servants, management officials, and officials from departments or specialized teams who meet the criteria to participate in teaching in order to grasp the training content, program, and learning process of students to enhance the effectiveness of training management is stipulated as follows:

a) Director: 30 standard hours/year;

b) Deputy Director: 40 standard hours/year;

c) Department Head or Team Leader or equivalent: 60 standard hours/year;

d) Deputy Department Head or Team Deputy or equivalent: 70 standard hours/year;

d) Officials from departments or specialized teams related to training; student management: 80 standard hours/year.

Chapter IV
ADDITIONAL TEACHING HOURS, REDUCED TEACHING HOURS AND CONVERSION OF OTHER SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES INTO STANDARD HOURS

Article 9. Additional Teaching Hours System

2. For teachers: The number of additional teaching hours shall not exceed the limit set by current labor laws.

4. The method of calculating additional teaching hour pay according to current regulations.

Article 10. Reduced Teaching Hour System

a) Teachers responsible for class counseling or study advising: Reduced by 15% of the teaching hour standard/class;

b) Teachers responsible for specialized classrooms/workshops: with dedicated staff, the lecture hour quota is reduced by 10%/workshop; without dedicated staff, the lecture hour quota is reduced by 15%/workshop;

c) Teachers concurrently responsible for the library: Reduced by 15% to 30% of the teaching hour quota;

d) Teachers concurrently serving as department heads or equivalent positions: Reduced by 15% to 20% of the teaching hour quota;

đ) Teachers serving as department heads, station chiefs, and equivalent positions: Reduced by 30% of the teaching hour quota; deputy department heads, deputy station chiefs, and equivalent positions are reduced by 20% of the teaching hour quota.

Based on actual conditions, the number of teachers, students, and the scale of the library, the Principal or Director decides the reduction ratio for positions specified in points c and d of this clause.

2. Teachers concurrently performing Party and mass organization work:

a) Teachers concurrently serving as Party Secretary at the grassroots level in vocational education institutions or Secretary of the Grassroots Party Branch in vocational education institutions, Chairperson of the School Council, or Management Board are entitled to a reduction of 20% to 30% of the lecture hour quota; teachers concurrently serving as Deputy Chairpersons of these positions or Secretaries of the School Council, or Management Board are entitled to a reduction of 15% to 20% of the lecture hour quota. Depending on the scale of the vocational education institution and the number of members in each organization, after consultation with the relevant Party organizations and mass organizations, the Principal or Director decides the reduction ratio within the prescribed range.

b) Teachers engaged in non-professional trade union work in vocational education institutions are entitled to the reduction in the lecture hour quota according to the provisions of Circular No. 08/2016/TT-BGDĐT dated March 28, 2016, issued by the Minister of Education and Training, concerning the reduction in the lecture hour quota for teachers and lecturers engaged in non-professional trade union work in public educational institutions under the national education system;

c) Teachers who are cadres of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Vietnam Student Association, or Vietnam Youth Federation at the school level are entitled to the reduction in the lecture hour quota according to the provisions of Decision No. 13/2013/QĐ-TTg dated February 6, 2013, issued by the Prime Minister, regarding the policies for cadres of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Vietnam Student Association, and Vietnam Youth Federation in educational institutions and vocational training centers;

d) Teachers concurrently holding multiple positions are entitled to the highest reduction in teaching hour quotas.

4. Reduced teaching hours for other teachers:

a) Teachers participating in training and upgrading beyond the prescribed time shall be reduced by 14 hours/week of training and upgrading;

b) Teachers during their probationary period shall be reduced by 30% of the teaching hour standard;

c) Female teachers with children under 12 months old shall be reduced by 15% of the teaching hour standard;

d) Teachers during maternity leave or long-term medical leave are entitled to a reduction in the lecture hour quota corresponding to the ratio between the time off receiving social insurance benefits and the time required to perform teaching duties as stipulated in point a of Clause 1 of Article 4 and point a of Clause 1 of Article 7 for each level of study.

1. Teaching:

a) Teaching multiple classes simultaneously with the same curriculum and level, starting from the third class onwards: 1 theoretical hour is equivalent to 0.75 standard hours;

b) In cases where it is necessary to combine classes for common subjects: for classes with more than 35 students, 1 hour is equivalent to 1.2 standard hours; for classes with more than 50 students but not exceeding 60 students, 1 hour is equivalent to 1.3 standard hours; for classes with more than 50 students in National Defense and Security Education subjects, the conversion rate is determined according to Circular Joint No. 18/2015/TTLT-BGDĐT-BLĐTBXH dated September 8, 2015, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, regarding the organization of teaching, learning, and assessment of results in the National Defense and Security Education subject in vocational education institutions and higher education institutions, 1 hour is equivalent to 1.3 standard hours;

c) Time spent designing, improving, and making vocational education equipment (approved at the department level or higher) is converted into standard hours; the Principal or Director determines the appropriate number of standard hours based on specific conditions;

d) Teaching, guiding, and enhancing the professional skills of other teachers within the vocational education institution: One hour is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours;

d) For teachers in national defense education and physical education, time spent organizing sports activities and military training for staff, teachers, and employees of vocational education institutions is counted as teaching time. The Principal or Director of the vocational education institution specifies the conversion rate into standard hours for calculating the teaching load for each teacher.

2. Preparing examination questions, supervising examinations, grading module-end and subject examinations:

a) Preparing examination questions: 1 written essay question with answers is equivalent to 1 standard hour; 1 multiple-choice question with answers is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours; 1 oral questioning question with answers is equivalent to 0.25 standard hours; 1 practical examination question with answers is equivalent to 0.5 standard hours;

b) Supervising examinations: One hour of examination supervision is equivalent to 0.3 standard hours;

c) Grading examinations: Written essay examinations and multiple-choice examinations are equivalent to 0.1 standard hours per paper; oral questioning examinations are equivalent to 0.2 standard hours per student; practical examinations are equivalent to 0.2 standard hours per student.

3. Preparing final exams, supervising final exams, grading final exams:

a) Preparing test questions: 1 written essay test with answers is equivalent to 2 standard hours; 1 multiple-choice test with answers is equivalent to 2.5 standard hours; 1 oral questioning test with answers is equivalent to 0.5 standard hours; 1 practical test with answers is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours;

b) Supervising final exams: One hour of final exam supervision is equivalent to 0.5 standard hours;

c) Grading tests: Written essay tests and multiple-choice tests are equivalent to 0.2 standard hours per paper; oral questioning tests are equivalent to 0.4 standard hours per student; practical tests are equivalent to 0.4 standard hours per student.

4. Special topic guidance and graduation thesis (if any) shall be counted as 15 standard hours per special topic or graduation thesis; marking special topics and graduation theses (if any) shall be counted as 5 standard hours per special topic or graduation thesis.

5. Internship guidance and combined internship with production work: 1 day (8 working hours) shall be counted as 2.5 to 3 standard hours depending on the nature of the work and specific working conditions.

6. Training for teachers participating in teaching contests at various levels; for students participating in skill competitions at various levels: One hour of practice is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours;

7. The principal or director of the vocational education institution shall specify the conversion of other professional activities into standard hours for calculating the teaching load for teachers;

Chapter V
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 12. Responsibilities of the General Department of Vocational Education and Training

Guide, inspect, and supervise the implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

Direct, guide, and inspect the implementation of the provisions of this Circular for vocational education and training establishments under their management authority.

Article 14. Responsibilities of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs

1. Submit to the provincial People's Committee or municipal People's Committee directly under the central government for issuance of guiding documents on the implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

2. Develop teaching plans, scientific research plans, study plans, professional training plans, and practical training plans at enterprises or specialized agencies to enhance the quality and effectiveness of labor for vocational education teachers.

Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 16. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2017.

2. Repeal Section II of Circular No. 09/2008/TT-BLDTBXH dated June 27, 2008, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs guiding the working regime for vocational teachers, and Chapter III of Circular No. 40/2015/TT-BLDTBXH dated October 20, 2015, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs stipulating standards for professional qualifications and working regimes for teachers of basic level vocational education.

3. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties, please reflect them to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for guidance./.