Joint Circular No. 18/2015/TTLT-BGDĐT-BLĐTBXH stipulates the organization of teaching, learning, and assessment of results for the National Defense and Security Education subject in vocational education institutions and higher education institutions.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Regulations on the organization of teaching, learning, and assessment of results for the National Defense and Security Education course in vocational education institutions and higher education institutions

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Pursuant to the Education Law on June 14, 2005; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Articles of the Education Law on November 25, 2009;

Pursuant to the Higher Education Law on June 18, 2012;

Based on the Law on National Defense Education and Security dated June 19, 2013;

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 32/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 19, 2008 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 106/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 13/2014/NĐ-CP dated February 25, 2014 of the Government detailing and providing implementation measures for the Law on National Defense and Security Education;

The Minister of Education and Training and the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issue this joint Circular to regulate the organization of teaching, learning, and assessment of results for the National Defense and Security Education course in vocational education institutions and higher education institutions.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This joint Circular stipulates the organization of teaching, learning, and assessment of results for the National Defense and Security Education (NDSE) course in vocational education institutions and higher education institutions.

Article 2. This Circular applies to vocational education institutions and higher education institutions, including secondary vocational schools, colleges, universities, academies, regional universities, National Universities, NDSE training centers (hereinafter referred to collectively as educational institutions), and related organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Position and objectives of the course

Clause 1. NDSE is a fundamental component in building the people's national defense and security, and it is a compulsory course in the curriculum of educational institutions.

Clause 2. The NDSE course equips students with basic knowledge about the people's national defense and security, the Party's viewpoints, state policies and laws on national defense and security; the tradition of resisting foreign invaders, the people's armed forces, and Vietnam's military art; building the people's national defense and security, the people's armed forces; basic and necessary knowledge about civil defense, military skills; readiness to fulfill military service obligations to protect the country.

Article 3. Principles and requirements for teaching and learning the NDSE course

Clause 1. Teaching and learning the NDSE course must ensure comprehensiveness, with emphasis on key points through appropriate forms; combining theory and practice, theoretical and practical aspects; aligning with the training regulations of each level; must be closely linked to education on organizational discipline awareness and team spirit; teaching and learning the NDSE course at educational institutions must be integrated with practical education, practical skills, and extracurricular activities.

Clause 2. Teachers and lecturers teaching NDSE when teaching in classrooms or on training grounds must wear NDSE uniforms as prescribed; teachers and lecturers who are army officers or police officers on secondment must wear uniforms according to the Military and Police Regulations.

Clause 3. Teachers, lecturers, managers, and students teaching and studying the NDSE course must strictly adhere to the teaching and learning plans, internal rules, and regulations ensuring safety for personnel, weapons, and equipment.

Chapter II

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

Article 4. Subjects exempted or temporarily excused from learning the NDSE course

Clause 1. Subjects exempted from learning the NDSE course:

a) Students holding certificates of reserve officer or diplomas issued by military or police schools;

b) Students who have obtained NDSE certificates corresponding to their level of training;

c) Foreign students.

Clause 2. Subjects exempted from learning or exempted from taking exams for parts or contents within the NDSE program include: students who have received confirmation of passing grades of 5 or above out of 10 for those parts or contents.

Clause 3. Subjects exempted from learning and practical military skill contents:

a) Students with disabilities confirmed by a disability certificate in accordance with the law on persons with disabilities;

b) Students who are not physically fit or suffer from diseases that qualify them for exemption from military service under current regulations;

c) Students who have completed their military or police service obligations.

Clause 4. Subjects temporarily excused from learning the NDSE course:

a) Students who must stop learning for a long period due to health reasons and require treatment, with a confirmation letter from the hospital where they are treated;

b) Female students who are pregnant or on maternity leave according to current regulations.

Clause 5. Directors and principals of educational institutions shall consider temporarily excusing students specified in point a and point b of Clause 4 of this Article from learning the NDSE course. Upon completion of the temporary excuse period, educational institutions shall arrange for students to join suitable classes to complete the program.

Article 5. Teachers and lecturers in National Defense and Security Education

1. Teachers and lecturers in National Defense and Security Education include those with the required qualifications as specified in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 6 of Decree No. 13/2014/NĐ-CP dated February 25, 2014 of the Government detailing and providing implementation measures for the Law on National Defense and Security Education.

2. Educational institutions shall develop plans for training, upgrading, and updating knowledge in national defense and security, teaching methods to ensure the required qualifications in accordance with the teaching requirements at each level of education.

Article 6. Management of teachers and lecturers in National Defense and Security Education

Educational institutions shall manage the team of teachers and lecturers in National Defense and Security Education similarly to other subject teachers. Lecturers in National Defense and Security Education who are military officers on secondment shall be managed by the units seconding the officers and schools in accordance with the Government's regulations on secondment of military officers and police officers.

Article 7. Material and Teaching Equipment

1. Educational institutions that have centers, departments, or subjects responsible for National Defense and Security Education must have dedicated classrooms, combined training fields; they must have sufficient material and teaching equipment for National Defense and Security Education in accordance with the current regulations on the minimum list of teaching equipment for National Defense and Security Education subjects.

2. The management, use, and preservation of weapons and equipment for National Defense and Security Education shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations.

Article 8. Management of Subjects and Organization of Teaching and Learning

1. Vocational education institutions organize teaching and learning of National Defense and Security Education according to their training plans.

2. Universities with departments or subjects in National Defense and Security Education organize concentrated teaching and learning according to their training plans.

3. National Defense and Security Education Centers organize concentrated teaching and learning according to their training plans.

4. Educational institutions organizing practical teaching and learning in technical skills, tactics, explosives, and live firing must contract with local military authorities, military units, and police units to ensure absolute safety for personnel, weapons, and equipment.

5. Theory classes if arranged as combined classes must be suitable with the teaching methods and specific conditions of educational institutions, but not exceeding 150 people; practical classes should not exceed 40 people.

Chapter III

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING RESULTS AND ISSUANCE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY EDUCATION CERTIFICATES

Article 9. Assessment of Learning Results

The assessment of learning results in National Defense and Security Education for students is carried out in accordance with the current regulations on training rules for each level of education.

Article 10. Conditions and Authority to Issue National Defense and Security Education Certificates

1. Students who achieve an average score of 5 points or higher (on a scale of 10) in the subject will be issued a National Defense and Security Education Certificate.

2. Authority to issue National Defense and Security Education Certificates:

a) Directors and principals of educational institutions authorized to organize teaching and learning of National Defense and Security Education have the authority to issue National Defense and Security Education Certificates;

b) Directors of National Defense and Security Education Centers issue National Defense and Security Education Certificates in accordance with the regulations on joint National Defense and Security Education.

3. The printing, management, and issuance of National Defense and Security Education Certificates shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations issued by the competent state agencies managing vocational education and higher education.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 11. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and Training

1. Direct, manage, and organize the implementation of National Defense and Security Education work in educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

2. Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and related agencies to organize training, upgrading, and training for the management staff, teachers, and lecturers in National Defense and Security Education in educational institutions.

3. Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to inspect and supervise National Defense and Security Education work in educational institutions under their jurisdiction and National Defense and Security Education Centers.

Article 12. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs

1. Direct, manage, and organize the implementation of National Defense and Security Education work at educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

2. Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Education and Training to inspect and supervise National Defense and Security Education work at educational institutions under their jurisdiction.

Article 13. Responsibilities of Educational Institutions

Proactively develop plans for organizing teaching and learning, assessing learning outcomes of National Defense and Security Education subjects, and implement reporting systems as prescribed.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 14. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 23, 2015.

2. This Circular replaces the provisions on organization of teaching and learning and assessment of learning outcomes of National Defense and Security Education subjects in secondary vocational schools, colleges, universities, academies, regional universities, National University, and National Defense and Security Education Centers issued together with Circular No. 40/2012/TT-BGDĐT dated November 19, 2012 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the organization of teaching and learning and assessment of learning outcomes of National Defense and Security Education subjects; Decision No. 63/2008/QĐ-BLĐTBXH dated November 25, 2008 of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on the organization of teaching and learning and assessment of learning outcomes of National Defense and Security Education subjects in vocational training institutions.

Article 15. Responsibility for Implementation

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government, Political and Social Organizations, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees, directors and principals of vocational education institutions, higher education institutions, National Defense and Security Education Centers, and related units are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. During the process of implementation, if there are any difficulties, they should be reported promptly to the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for consideration and resolution./.