Decree No. 146 sets out the fundamental principles of the new education system

DECREE

Regarding the establishment of the basic principles of the New Education System

PRESIDENT OF THE VIETNAM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICIC GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Decree No. 119 dated July 9, 1946 organizing the Ministry of National Education;

Pursuant to the Decree No. 44 dated October 10, 1945 establishing the Advisory Council for Educational Affairs;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Minister of National Education

After having been submitted to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and approved by the Council of Ministers,

ISSUES THE DECREE:

Article 1

The education system of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is a unified educational system based on three fundamental principles: popularization, nationalization, and scientific advancement, and it serves the national and democratic ideals.

Article 2

This educational system is divided into three levels following the pre-school level:

First level: primary education

Second level: divided into two branches: general education and specialized education

Third level: university education.

Article 3

The pre-school level provides education for children under seven years old and will be organized according to the conditions set forth by the Ministry of National Education.

Article 4

Primary education imparts essential knowledge and cultivates good habits for children aged seven and above. The duration of study is four years. Students who complete the fourth year will take an examination to obtain a basic education certificate. Primary education will become compulsory starting from 1950. The implementation of this requirement will gradually progress over several periods depending on the country's economic and social conditions, as stipulated in the decree issued by the Minister of National Education.

Article 5

Following primary education, there is a preparatory class lasting one year, which not only provides a general education but also focuses on the inclinations and abilities of students to select them for either general education or specialized education at the secondary level. The preparatory class will be organized when suitable conditions regarding personnel and equipment are available. The details of its organization will be determined by the decree of the Minister of National Education.

Article 6

General education provides a comprehensive education and a specialized education to prepare students for university studies. This branch consists of two stages:

1) General stage, with a duration of four years, guiding and selecting students towards professional training or advanced specialized education. The first two years follow a uniform general curriculum, while the third and fourth years follow a differentiated curriculum for professional and specialized preparatory classes, divided into four departments: Humanities Department, Natural Sciences Department for specialized preparatory classes, Physical Sciences Department, and Engineering Department for professional preparatory classes.

2) Advanced specialized stage, intended for students who have completed specialized preparatory classes, divided into three departments: Mathematics-Physics-Chemistry Department, Natural Sciences Department, and Humanities Department (?). The duration of study is three years. Students who complete the third year will take an examination to obtain a general academic diploma (?) to enter university departments or specialized technical colleges.

ARTICLE 7

Specialized education provides both general education and specialized vocational education and practical training to produce skilled workers, merchants, and competent officials capable of managing social and economic institutions. This branch consists of two stages:

1) Practical stage, designed for students who have undergone one year of guidance and selection, showing aptitude and inclination towards practical work, to train them into farmers, merchants, and skilled workers. There are many vocational departments with a duration ranging from one to three years depending on the department. Students who excel in the practical stage can apply for admission to professional preparatory classes to qualify for professional schools.

2) Professional stage, intended for students who have completed professional preparatory classes, divided into multiple departments aimed at training practical officials in theoretical and practical aspects to assist in national construction in various economic and social fields. The minimum duration of study is three years, and the graduation certificate is an engineer's degree. Students who pass the engineer's degree with distinction may apply for admission to specialized higher education colleges without needing a general academic diploma.

Article 8

University education includes departments of Liberal Arts, Law, and specialized technical colleges, following a predetermined curriculum and a fixed duration of three years (Medicine, Pharmacy, Fine Arts, Commerce, Agriculture and Forestry, Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Mining, etc.). Graduates of the university level will receive a Bachelor's degree or a Doctorate degree.

Article 9

Teacher education aims to train teachers for all levels of education and is divided into three tiers:

1) Primary teacher education, conducted concurrently with specialized preparatory classes and professional preparatory classes, lasting two years to train teachers for primary education.

2) Intermediate teacher education, lasting three years, conducted concurrently with the professional and advanced specialized stages, divided into two departments to train teachers for secondary education or practical education.

3) Advanced teacher education, focusing on those who already hold a bachelor's degree in liberal arts (humanities or natural sciences) to qualify for a teaching diploma in the university humanities department. Only with this diploma can they be appointed as qualified teachers for specialized and professional education.

Article 10

The general organizational structure and subjects taught in the curriculum of each educational level will be regulated by special laws. Detailed organizational structures and curricula for each level will be determined by the decree of the Minister of National Education. The organization and curricula for transitional periods will also be determined by the decree of the Minister of Education.

Article 11

At all educational levels, students do not have to pay tuition fees, and they do not need to pay any fees for final examinations.

Article 12

Outstanding students from poor families will receive scholarships from the government. Regulations for granting scholarships will be determined by the decree of the Minister of National Education.

Article 13

The Minister of National Education implements this Decree.