Joint Circular No. 182/2007/TTLT-BQP-BCA-BGDĐT-BNV guiding the implementation of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP dated July 10, 2007 on National Defense and Security Education.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP dated July 10, 2007 on National Defense and Security Education ofImplementing Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP dated July 10, 2007 of the Government on National Defense and Security Education (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP); After reaching consensus with the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (Circular No. 3949/BLĐTB&XH-TCDN dated October 29, 2007), the Ministry of Finance (Circular No. 14302/BTC-VI dated October 23, 2007); the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Home Affairs provide guidelines for implementing certain provisions of the Decree as follows:

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I. OBJECTS, PROGRAMMES, ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS, EXEMPTIONS, TEMPORARY DEFERRALS FROM NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING

1. Secondary school students, intermediate vocational students, intermediate technical students; college vocational students, college students, university students within the national education system

The content, duration, programme, and courses shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

1.1 Intermediate vocational students study a programme of 120 hours: the incoming students who have completed junior secondary school study two phases: phase 1: 45 hours, phase 2: 75 hours; incoming students who have completed secondary school study phase 2: 75 hours.

1.2 Intermediate technical students: trained from 12 months to less than 24 months: 45 hours; trained from 24 months to less than 36 months: 75 hours; trained 36 months or more: 120 hours.

1.3 College vocational students: trained from 24 months to less than 36 months: 75 hours; trained 36 months or more: 120 hours.

1.4 Secondary school students, intermediate vocational students, intermediate technical students must complete the prescribed content and programme, and their examination results will be recorded in their grade books and considered when assessing class promotion and graduation. College and university students who achieve a passing grade in the course will be eligible for a National Defense and Security Education Certificate. However, college students moving up to university level only need to take additional courses and do not need to be assessed for the National Defense and Security Education Certificate.

1.5 Specific regulations regarding exemptions, reductions, and temporary deferrals from the National Defense and Security Education course are stipulated in Article 6 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP. In particular, graduates of military or public security officer degrees are exempted; pregnant women and those nursing children under 24 months are temporarily deferred from National Defense and Security Education.

2. Trainees studying in academies, political schools, administrative schools, and various part-time training classes organized by ministries, sectors, and localities

2.1 The content, duration, and course programme shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2, Article 4 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP. The course programme shall be unified by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Administration in coordination with the Ministries of National Defense, Public Security, Home Affairs, Education and Training; the Central Propaganda Department, and relevant agencies.

2.2 Organization, methods, and assessment of course results: the National Defense and Security Education course is conducted at the school like other subjects. Trainees who complete the prescribed content and programme will be eligible to sit for examinations. Examination results will be recorded in their grade books and counted towards their overall average score for graduation assessment.

3. Cadres, party members, civil servants at all levels and sectors

3.1 Implemented in accordance with Article 5 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

3.2 The programme, content, and time for national defense and security knowledge training for objects 1 to 5 shall be defined by the Ministry of National Defense in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central Organization Department, and the Central Propaganda Department. 3.3 Methods of organizing classes

Due to the diverse positions and roles of cadres and civil servants, when organizing classes, individuals with equivalent positions and roles should be grouped together in the same class. Specifically:

3.3.1 For object 1, organize classes according to the following job categories:

Heads and deputy heads of central ministries, departments, and agencies; Provincial Party Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Chairmen, and Vice Chairmen;

Other positions of object 1 as specified in Point a, Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

3.3.2 For object 2, organize classes according to the following job categories:

Heads and deputy heads of provincial-level bureaus, departments, institutes, and equivalent positions in central ministries, departments, and agencies; County Party Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Chairmen, and Vice Chairmen;

Other positions of object 2 as specified in Point a, Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

3.3.3 For object 3, organize classes according to the following job categories:

Heads and deputy heads of provincial-level departments, bureaus, and institutes; Principals and deputy principals of secondary vocational schools, intermediate technical schools, and secondary schools; Heads and deputy heads of county-level departments, bureaus, and institutes; County-level People's Council and People's Committee representatives who do not hold the aforementioned positions; Directors and deputy directors of enterprises headquartered in the province.

Standing

Committee (where standing committees are organized) of communes, wards, towns (collectively referred to as commune level); Commune Party Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Chairmen, and Vice Chairmen of the People's Council and People's Committee at the commune level;

3.3.4 For object 4, organize classes according to the following positions: National Assembly, Principals and deputy principals of middle schools, primary schools, and kindergartens; Year of GraduationSpecialized and professional cadres at the commune level (who do not hold the aforementioned positions); Branch Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Village Chiefs, Headmen, Ward Chiefs, Community Chiefs, Street Chiefs, and Neighborhood Chiefs (collectively referred to as village level), Cooperative Managers; Commune-level People's Council representatives who do not hold the aforementioned positions.

3.3.5 For object 5, organize classes according to the following positions: Retired mid-to-senior level cadres, disabled veterans, retired soldiers, and police officers;

Party members and heads of village-level mass organizations (excluding objects 1, 2, 3, and 4, retired mid-to-senior level cadres, disabled veterans, and retired soldiers and police officers). 4. Other objects Principals of secondary schools, primary schools, and kindergartens;

Cspecialized staff at the commune level (excluding those belonging to category 3); Secretary, Deputy Secretary of the village party branch, Village Chief, Head of hamlet, ward, commune, group, neighborhood, community, residential area (hereinafter referred to collectively as village-level), Chairman of the cooperative; members of the Commune People's Council not holding any of the aforementioned positions. LIMITATION 3.3.5. Category 5,

organize classes according to the following positions: Retired mid-to-senior level cadres who are Party members and have lost their capacity; veterans from the military and police forces;

Party members and Heads of mass organizations at the village level (excluding categories 1, 2, 3, 4, retired mid-to-senior level cadres who have lost their capacity, veterans from the military and police forces).

4. Other categories

4. Other subjects

4.1. Officials and civil servants not falling within the categories specified in Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP; workers in agencies, organizations at all levels, and in economic organizations; the content of national defense and security education includes: familiarizing with Directives, Resolutions, legal documents on national defense and security; preventing the strategic plot of "Peaceful Evolution" and subversive riots by hostile forces against the revolution of our country; local national defense and security tasks and citizens' responsibilities in performing such tasks. The organization of national defense and security education and training shall be carried out by the heads of agencies and organizations.

4.2. Middle school students: the content of national defense and security education is integrated into Physical Education, Civic Education, History subjects, or extracurricular activities; organizing visits to historical sites, museums, revolutionary tradition houses; organizing contests and other activities. The organization of national defense and security education shall be carried out by the Principals of schools.

4.3. Individuals with appropriate qualifications, health conditions, and voluntary participation, shall receive vocational national defense and security education through sports clubs for vocational national defense and military technology, and sports clubs for vocational security technology.

4.3.1. Members of sports clubs for vocational national defense and military technology, and sports clubs for vocational security technology, in addition to their specialized study programs and vocational skills training, shall also learn certain contents including: the traditions of the nation and armed forces; preventing the strategic plot of "Peaceful Evolution" and subversive riots by hostile forces against the Vietnamese revolution; legal documents on national defense, security, territorial sovereignty, maritime and airspace, and related documents concerning club activities.

4.3.2. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall base on the need to select talents for special sectors to submit to the Prime Minister proposals for establishing clubs, and shall be responsible before the Government for coordinating with the Ministry of Education and Training, relevant agencies, and localities in organizing, managing, and directing the clubs to operate in accordance with current laws, achieving practical effectiveness.

4.4. Young people within the age range required by the Law on Military Service but not studying in the national education system and not participating in the People's Militia Self-Defense Force, each year the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level shall organize the study of certain legal documents on national defense and security, regulations and discipline of the Vietnam People's Army and the Vietnam People's Public Security Force; policies for servicemen and public security officers on duty; military rear support policies; and necessary national defense and security knowledge.

4.5. Religious clergy and religious functionaries: based on the characteristics of religions in the locality, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall direct the Provincial and District National Defense and Security Education Councils to coordinate with the Provincial and District Propaganda Committees to mobilize religious clergy and functionaries to participate in national defense and security knowledge training suitable to each religion.

The content of national defense and security knowledge training focuses on several main topics

4.5.1. The Party and State's ethnic and religious policies;

4.5.2. Certain basic contents of the Law on National Defense; the Law on National Security; the Law on Military Service; the Land Law; the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions; the Ordinance on People's Militia Self-Defense; the Ordinance on Reserve Mobilization;

4.5.3. Preventing the strategic plot of "Peaceful Evolution" and subversive riots by hostile forces against the country;

4.5.4. Building a comprehensive people's national defense and security foundation; building communes (villages, wards, towns) strong in all aspects;

In addition, based on the actual situation of the locality, additional topics may be added as appropriate.

4.6. For the entire population: the content of national defense and security education shall be determined by the heads of agencies, organizations, central newspapers and radio stations, and local party committees and authorities. The educational content focuses on promoting the tradition of founding and defending the country; national defense and security tasks; responsibilities and obligations to protect the homeland; territorial sovereignty, borders, airspace, seas, and islands of Vietnam; vigilance and prevention of hostile forces' plots against the revolution; legal documents on national defense and security. Main forms and methods of education include grassroots meetings, through mass media, integrating into current affairs talks, propaganda during major commemorative days, and community campaigns and movements.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MINISTRIES, SECTORS AND PROVINCE PEOPLE'S COMMITTEES UNDER THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

1. General responsibilities

1.1. Organizing national defense and security knowledge education and training for the subjects specified in Clause 4, Section I of this Circular; annually surveying, statistics, and planning to send officials from categories 1, 2, 3, and 4 under their jurisdiction to attend national defense and security knowledge training in accordance with Point a, Clause 1, Article 5 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

1.2. The head or deputy head of central agencies, provincial, and district-level organizations, or those authorized by them, shall prepare lectures and directly teach topics within their management scope for categories 1, 2, 3, and 4 upon request of the Director of the National Defense Academy, the Principal of the Military Region Command School, the Principal of the Provincial Military School, and the Director of the Political Training Center at the district level.

1.3. Annually coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense to inspect and audit the implementation of national defense and security education tasks for the subjects specified in Articles 4 and 5 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP. Regularly every six months or annually, compiling and reporting the results of national defense and security education and training tasks of agencies, organizations, and localities to the Standing Office of the National Defense and Security Education Council at the higher level.

2. Specific Responsibilities

Each ministry, sector, agency, organization, and provincial People's Committee shall base on the responsibilities stipulated in Article 14 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP to direct and organize the implementation of national defense and security education and training tasks.

2.1. The Ministry of National Defense is the leading agency and coordination center for ministries, sectors, agencies, organizations, and provincial People's Committees to assist the Government in implementing national defense and security education tasks. The Ministry of National Defense shall implement the provisions set forth in Clause 1, Article 14 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

2.1.1. Strengthen and complete the organization and full-time management staff responsible for national defense and security education in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 7 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

2.1.2. Ensure the provision of SKS rifles, AK submachine guns (or AR 15) and K56 (AR 15) ammunition levels 1 and 2 for shooting test exercise 1 for 10% of the total number of students studying the National Defense and Security Education course. Ensure sufficient weapons and ammunition for teacher training in national defense and security education and the Athletics - Military Sports Competition organized by the Ministry of Education and Training.

2.1.3. Ensure specialized equipment, dedicated classrooms, and provide initial military uniforms for national defense and security education centers, including:

a) A list of specialized equipment for dedicated classrooms according to the teaching equipment catalog prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

b) Provide initial military uniforms for newly established national defense and security education centers at the rate of one student per center, including: two pairs of officer trousers; two long-sleeved officer shirts; one military helmet; one single-person quilt cover; one single-person quilt filled with 2.5 kg of cotton; one single-person mosquito net; one single-person straw mat; one single-person pillow. The quantity of initial military uniforms corresponds to the first year student enrollment of the center; annually replenish according to the increase in student enrollment at the center.

Annually, based on the increase in student enrollment, national defense and security education centers and the Standing Office of the National Defense and Security Education Council at the Military Region shall develop plans to replenish military uniforms according to the standards specified in point a above and submit them to the Standing Office of the Central National Defense and Security Education Council for consolidation and submission to the Ministry of National Defense for support from the State budget to ensure national defense and security education work.

c) National defense and security education centers are responsible for managing and using teaching equipment and military uniforms, and replacing them in cases of loss or damage.

2.1.4. Implement Clause 4, Article 9 of Decree No. 165/2003/NĐ-CP dated December 22, 2003 of the Government regarding the assignment of officers; annually send officers on assignment for training and upgrading their professional skills; promptly supplement capable officers to meet the requirements of management and teaching duties in the National Defense Education course; implement all regulations and policies for officers on assignment as if they were working in military units. Direct and assign tasks to subordinate units to participate in teacher training in national defense and security education; participate in joint teaching of national defense and security education for students.

2.1.5. Take the lead in coordinating with relevant agencies to develop proposals for establishing national defense and security education centers at military schools under the Military Regions, Corps, some academies, and military schools to be submitted to the Prime Minister for decision.

2.2. The Ministry of Public Security shall implement the provisions set forth in Clause 2, Article 14 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

2.2.1. Assign specialized personnel for national defense and security education within the Department of Training under the General Staff Construction Department to assist the Minister in coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense and related agencies to oversee and direct the content of security education in the curriculum of national defense and security knowledge education.

2.2.2. Based on the curriculum of national defense and security knowledge education for each target group as stipulated in Articles 4 and 5 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP, dispatch cadres, teachers, and lecturers from agencies, units, academies, and schools under the Ministry and instruct provincial and district police to assist educational and training institutions in their respective areas to teach security-related topics.

2.2.3. Coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense to jointly work with the Ministry of Education and Training to develop programs and organize the training of teachers and lecturers in national defense and security education for educational institutions under the national education system according to the joint training lecturer and teacher program between the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security.

2.2.4. Support specialized equipment for training and teaching in national defense and security education at national defense and security education centers and educational and training institutions within the national education system.

2.3. The Ministry of Education and Training shall implement the provisions set forth in Clause 2, Article 14 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

2.3.1. Lead and coordinate with relevant ministries to issue regulations on the organization of teaching, learning, and assessment of results in the National Defense and Security Education course under its jurisdiction; rules on the organization and operation of student national defense and security education centers; regulations on the catalog of teaching equipment, materials, textbooks, and school books for national defense and security education consistent with the regulations of the education and training sector; coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to establish regulations on organization, staffing, and preferential policies for national defense and security education cadres, lecturers, and teachers.

2.3.2. Lead the organization of teacher training in national defense and security education for secondary schools, vocational colleges, and technical colleges, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security to develop a plan for lecturer training in national defense and security education as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 12 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP. Direct local teacher training colleges without university teacher training colleges to link with academies, officer schools, and military schools in the province to organize training, upgrading, and training teachers for secondary schools, vocational colleges, and technical colleges in the locality according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Training.

2.3.3. Improve student national defense-security education centers in universities under the education and training sector; issue regulations on linking national defense-security education for universities and colleges; stipulate that schools without sufficient conditions to organize national defense-security education at their own institutions must enroll students in national defense-security education centers or collaborate with military officer schools, military region schools, and army corps schools.

2.3.4. Direct educational and training establishments under its management to coordinate with local military agencies, military units, and police forces in implementing national defense-security education tasks.

2.4. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall implement the provisions set forth in Clause 4, Article 14 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

2.4.1. Assign specialized civil servants for national defense-security education within the Vocational Training General Department to assist the Minister in coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense and relevant agencies in overseeing and directing the implementation of national defense-security education programs and contents in vocational training institutions under its authority.

2.4.2. Take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and Training, and relevant agencies to develop, compile, and organize inter-ministerial review boards to review curricula, textbooks, teaching materials, and other educational resources for national defense-security education for subjects specified in Clause 1, Article 4 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP and Clause I, Item 1 of this Circular; issue curricula, publish textbooks, and distribute teaching materials for national defense-security education for these subjects after obtaining written consensus from the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Education and Training.

2.4.3. Direct provincial labor, invalids, and social affairs departments, and educational institutions under its management to annually coordinate with local military agencies and military units in implementing national defense-security education tasks.

2.5. The National Academy of Political Administration-Ho Chi Minh City shall perform the tasks prescribed in Clause 9, Article 14 of the current Decree. Lead and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Central Propaganda Commission to develop, compile, and organize inter-ministerial review boards to review curricula, textbooks, teaching materials, and other educational resources for national defense-security education for subjects specified in Clause 2, Article 4 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP and Clause I, Item 2 of this Circular; issue curricula, publish textbooks, and distribute teaching materials for national defense-security education for these subjects after obtaining written consensus from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

2.6. Provincial People's Committees shall implement the provisions set forth in Clause 14, Article 14 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP.

2.6.1. Based on Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP and guidance provided in this Circular, organize implementation at their level and direct lower-level People's Committees to fulfill national defense-security education tasks, focusing on key cadres, young generations, students, and trainees in their jurisdiction.

2.6.2. Direct the Departments of Personnel Affairs, Education and Training to assign 01 (one) full-time civil servant responsible for managing national defense-security education work as stipulated in Article 8 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP; the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to assign 01 (one) part-time civil servant responsible for managing national defense-security education work; public high schools to assign at least 01 (one) full-time teacher responsible for national defense-security education in 2008, and ensure sufficient teachers for national defense-security education by 2015 as stipulated.

2.6.3. Direct the Departments of Finance and Planning and Investment to allocate funds and ensure material infrastructure for the implementation of national defense-security education tasks based on the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 and Clauses 3 and 4, Article 11 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP; develop plans for national defense-security education centers in provincial military schools according to Clause 4, Article 11 of Decree No. 116/2007/NĐ-CP to fulfill national defense-security education tasks.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Circular takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Joint Circular No. 4086/2001/TTLT-BQP-BGD & ĐT-BLĐTB & XH-BTC dated December 24, 2001 issued by the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance.

2. During implementation, if any difficulties arise, please promptly report them to the relevant ministries and agencies for resolution./.