Circular No. 188/2021/TT-BQP on the standard teaching hours and scientific research quotas for teachers in the Vietnam People's Army

CIRCULAR

Regulations on standard teaching hours and scientific research quotas
for teachers in the Vietnam People's Army

Based on Decree No. 15/2019/NĐ-CP dated February 1, 2019 of the Government detailing certain provisions and measures to implement the Law on Vocational Education;Pursuant to Decree No. 84/

Pursuant to Decree No. 99/2019/NĐ-CP dated December 30, 2019 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Higher Education Law;

20/2020/NĐ-CP dated July 17, 2020 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Education;The Minister of National Defense issues this Circular regulating standard teaching hours and scientific research quotas for teachers in the Vietnam People's Army.

Based on Decree No. 164/2017/NĐ-CP dated December 30, 2017, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense;

At the proposal of the Chief of General Staff;

This Circular regulates standard teaching hours and scientific research quotas; conversion of professional activities and scientific research products for teachers in the Vietnam People's Army.This Circular applies to military academies, officer schools, universities, colleges, secondary schools, and military schools: Military Regions, Corps, Command of Hanoi Capital, Command of Ho Chi Minh City (hereinafter referred to as schools) in the Vietnam People's Army and related agencies, units, organizations, and individuals.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

Teachers in the Vietnam People's Army

Article 2. Applicability

are those directly engaged in teaching and organizing educational and training activities, scientific research in military schools, including: Lecturers, senior lecturers, distinguished lecturers; teachers, senior teachers, distinguished teachers, and education management officers concurrently teaching.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

1. Administrative hour is a unit of time measurement for working hours under the 40-hour workweek stipulated in the Labor Code (one administrative hour equals 60 minutes).

2. Standard teaching hour (hereinafter referred to as standard hour) is a unit of time converted from the number of administrative hours necessary to complete a specific task assigned to a teacher equivalent to one theoretical or practical class session (45 minutes) or online teaching, including labor time before, during, and after the class session; one standard hour is equivalent to three administrative hours.

3. Standard hour quota is the minimum number of standard hours that a teacher must perform teaching duties in one academic year.

4. Scientific research quota is the minimum number of administrative hours that a teacher must perform scientific research duties in one academic year.

5. QUOTAS FOR STANDARD HOURS AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Article 4. Standard hour quota for teachers not holding leadership, command, or management positions

Chapter II

1. Standard hour quota in an academic year for teachers

a) Teachers working at academies, officer schools, and universities shall have 280 standard hours equivalent to 840 administrative hours.

b) Teachers working at military colleges shall have 380 standard hours equivalent to 1,140 administrative hours.

c) Teachers working at secondary military schools and military schools: Military Regions, Corps, Command of Hanoi Capital, Command of Ho Chi Minh City shall have 430 standard hours equivalent to 1,290 administrative hours.

2. The number of direct teaching hours on campus or online for teachers not holding leadership, command, or management positions must ensure a minimum of 50% of the quota prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Teachers during the period of performing urgent tasks assigned by competent authorities may be exempted from the standard hour quota according to the corresponding ratio of the time spent on the assigned tasks. Teachers during the period of sick leave or maternity leave may be exempted from the standard hour quota according to the corresponding ratio of the leave time stipulated by the Labor Code.

2. The number of standard teaching hours for direct classroom or online instruction by teachers not holding leadership, command, or management positions must ensure a minimum of 50% of the quota prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Teachers during the period of performing urgent tasks assigned or mobilized by competent authorities shall be exempted from the standard hour quota in proportion to the time spent on the assigned tasks. Teachers during their sick leave or maternity leave shall be exempted from the standard hour quota in proportion to the leave time as stipulated by the Labor Code.

Article 5. Standard hours quota for teachers holding leadership, command, and management positions

1. The standard hours quota for teachers holding leadership, command, and management positions shall be calculated as a percentage (%) of the standard hours quota prescribed in Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular, as follows:

a) Directors, Principals, Political Commissars: 10%.

b) Deputy Directors, Deputy Principals, Deputy Political Commissars: 15%.

c) Heads of Departments and equivalent positions: 20%.

d) Deputy Heads of Departments, Heads of Sub-departments under the school and equivalent positions: 25%.

đ) Department Heads, Department Chiefs: 60%; if also holding the position of Party Committee Secretary or Branch Secretary: 45%; if holding the position of Deputy Party Committee Secretary or Deputy Branch Secretary: 50%.

e) Deputy Department Heads, Deputy Department Chiefs: 70%; if also holding the position of Party Committee Secretary or Branch Secretary: 55%; if holding the position of Deputy Party Committee Secretary or Deputy Branch Secretary: 60%.

g) Heads of Disciplines: 80%; if also holding the position of Branch Secretary: 65%; if holding the position of Deputy Branch Secretary: 70%.

h) Deputy Heads of Disciplines: 85%; if also holding the position of Branch Secretary: 70%; if holding the position of Deputy Branch Secretary: 75%.

2. For teachers concurrently holding multiple positions, the standard hours quota shall apply to the highest position as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Teachers holding leadership, command, and management positions must ensure that their direct teaching hours in class or online account for at least 50% of the standard hours quota prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article.

4. School Directors and Principals shall establish standard hours quotas for other concurrent positions (if any), in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article.

5. The implementation results of the standard hours quota prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 4 and Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Circular serve as the basis for evaluating the completion of tasks during the academic year, ranking in competitions, and addressing related benefits for teachers; in cases where the teaching quota is not met as prescribed, the School Director or Principal shall consider and decide on allowing the conversion of research hours to teaching hours to meet the standard hours quota as prescribed.

Article 6. Research Hours Quota

1. Annual research hours quota for teachers

a) Teachers working at academies, officer schools, and universities: 600 administrative hours.

b) Teachers working at military college: 300 administrative hours.

c) Teachers working at military secondary schools and military schools: Military Regions, Corps, Command of Hanoi City, Command of Ho Chi Minh City: 150 administrative hours.

2. Schools shall assign research tasks to teachers in accordance with the conditions, scientific potential, educational and training development orientation, science and technology development direction of the school, and the professional capacity of the teachers.

3. The implementation results of the research hours quota prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article serve as the basis for evaluating the completion of tasks during the academic year and ranking in competitions for teachers; in cases where the research quota is not met as prescribed, the School Director or Principal shall consider and decide on allowing the conversion of teaching hours to research hours.

Chapter III

CONVERSION OF SPECIALIZED ACTIVITIES, RESEARCH PRODUCTS, AND CALCULATION OF EXCESS STANDARD HOURS QUOTA

Article 7. Conversion of Professional Activities of Teachers

1. One class period of lecturing, guiding practice sessions, conducting experiments, and demonstrations during daytime at lecture halls shall be counted as 1.0 standard hour. One class period of lecturing, guiding practice sessions, conducting experiments, and demonstrations during daytime at training fields, practice grounds, workshops, factories, hospitals, etc., shall be counted as 1.2 standard hours.

2. One class period of lecturing, guiding practice sessions, conducting experiments, and demonstrations during nighttime at lecture halls shall be counted as 1.2 standard hours. One class period of lecturing, guiding practice sessions, conducting experiments, and demonstrations during nighttime at training fields, practice grounds, workshops, factories, hospitals, etc., shall be counted as 1.5 standard hours.

3. One class period of lecturing and guiding practice sessions for master's degree students shall be counted as 1.5 standard hours, and for doctoral degree students, it shall be counted as 2.0 standard hours.

4. One class period conducted in a foreign language for non-language subjects shall be counted as 2.0 standard hours.

5. The conversion to standard hours for one class period in special military environments such as pilot training, submarine training, tank training, armored vehicle training, missile training, radar training, special forces training, reconnaissance training, chemical warfare training, self-propelled artillery training, specialized military vehicle training, tactical training exercises, live-fire drills, etc., shall be applied at an appropriate ratio but not exceeding 2.0 standard hours.

6. Supervising one final project or thesis shall be counted up to 25 standard hours. Supervising one master's thesis shall be counted up to 70 standard hours (the first supervisor shall be counted as 40 standard hours, the second supervisor as 30 standard hours). Supervising one doctoral dissertation shall be counted up to 200 standard hours (the first supervisor shall be counted as 120 standard hours, the second supervisor as 80 standard hours).

7. Compiling examination questions, invigilating examinations, grading examinations upon completion of a course

a) Compiling one multiple-choice test with answers shall be counted as 2.0 standard hours; compiling one essay test with answers shall be counted as 1.5 standard hours; compiling one practical test with answers shall be counted as 1.0 standard hour; compiling one oral examination with answers shall be counted as 0.75 standard hour.

b) Invigilating one class period of an examination upon completion of a course shall be counted as 0.3 standard hour.

c) Grading one multiple-choice test shall be counted as 0.1 standard hour; grading one essay test shall be counted as 0.2 standard hour.

d) Grading oral examinations and practical tests for one class period in lecture halls shall be counted as 0.5 standard hour; for one class period outside training fields, practice grounds, or workshops, it shall be counted as 0.75 standard hour.

8. Compiling examination questions, invigilating examinations, grading examinations, grading final projects and theses, evaluating master's theses and doctoral dissertations

a) Compiling one multiple-choice test with answers shall be counted as 2.5 standard hours; compiling one essay test with answers shall be counted as 2.0 standard hours; compiling one practical test with answers shall be counted as 1.5 standard hours; compiling one oral examination with answers shall be counted as 1.25 standard hours.

b) Invigilating one class period of a graduation examination shall be counted as 0.5 standard hour.

c) Grading one multiple-choice test shall be counted as 0.2 standard hour; grading one essay test shall be counted as 0.4 standard hour.

d) Grading oral examinations and practical tests for one class period in lecture halls shall be counted as 1.0 standard hour; for one class period outside training fields, practice grounds, or workshops, it shall be counted as 1.2 standard hours.

đ) Grading one final project or thesis shall be counted as 1.5 standard hours.

e) Each member of the evaluation committee for one master's thesis shall be counted as 3.0 standard hours; for one doctoral dissertation, it shall be counted as 6.0 standard hours.

9. The Director or Principal of the school shall specify in detail the number of standard hours converted when performing professional tasks related to teaching and scientific research activities of the school, ensuring compliance with regulations.

Article 8. Conversion of scientific research activities and scientific products of teachers

1. A grassroots-level research topic (approved by the Director or Principal of the school) shall be equivalent to 1,200 administrative hours; a grassroots-level research topic (approved by the Head of the General Staff Department, the Head of the Political Bureau, the Head of the General Department, or the Head of the educational institution management unit) shall be equivalent to 1,800 administrative hours; a ministry-level research topic shall be equivalent to 2,400 administrative hours; a national-level research topic shall be equivalent to 3,600 administrative hours.

2. A grassroots-level initiative (approved by the Director or Principal of the school) shall be equivalent to 300 administrative hours; a grassroots-level initiative (approved by the Head of the General Staff Department, the Head of the Political Bureau, the Head of the General Department, or the Head of the educational institution management unit) shall be equivalent to 450 administrative hours; a ministry-level initiative shall be equivalent to 600 administrative hours; a national-level initiative shall be equivalent to 900 administrative hours.

3. A textbook, teaching material, training material, regulation, or directive shall be equivalent to 1,200 administrative hours.

4. One scientific article published in a scientific journal with an ISSN number or one scientific report at a grassroots-level scientific seminar (approved by the Head of the General Staff Department, the Head of the Political Bureau, the Head of the General Department, or the Head of the educational institution management unit) shall be equivalent to 300 administrative hours. A scientific report at a ministry-level scientific seminar shall be equivalent to 450 administrative hours; a national-level scientific report shall be equivalent to 600 administrative hours.

5. Guiding students to research one grassroots-level scientific topic (approved by the Director or Principal of the school) and evaluated as excellent shall be equivalent to 75 administrative hours; meeting the requirements shall be equivalent to 30 administrative hours.

6. A member of a grassroots-level scientific council (approved by the Director or Principal of the school) approving one project outline, initiative, textbook, or teaching material shall be equivalent to 3.0 administrative hours; accepting one project, initiative, textbook, or teaching material shall be equivalent to 6.0 administrative hours.

7. For a scientific product involving multiple participants, it shall be determined as follows: If there are two participants, the head or chief editor shall enjoy 2/3 of the converted administrative hours from the scientific product; if there are three participants, the head or chief editor shall enjoy 1/2 of the converted administrative hours from the scientific product; if there are more than three participants, the head or chief editor shall enjoy 1/3 of the converted administrative hours from the scientific product, and the remaining administrative hours shall be divided according to each participant's contribution including the head or chief editor. In cases where the contribution of each participant cannot be determined, the remaining administrative hours shall be equally divided among all participants including the head or chief editor.

8. For a scientific product carried out over several years, the administrative hours for each year shall be calculated by dividing the total converted administrative hours from the scientific product evenly across the total number of years as stipulated.

9. The Director or Principal of the school shall specify the time for scientific research converted from other scientific research activities and scientific products of teachers in accordance with specific circumstances.

Article 9. Calculation of exceeding standard hour quota

1. The number of standard hours exceeding the quota in a school year shall be calculated collectively for departments or faculties with one department; in cases where a department or faculty with one department does not exceed the standard hour quota, teachers belonging to that department or faculty shall not enjoy the benefits of exceeding the individual standard hour quota.

2. The calculation of exceeding the standard hour quota for departments or faculties with one department shall be as follows: The total number of standard hours exceeding the quota equals the total number of standard hours implemented in the school year minus the total number of standard hours required to be implemented according to the prescribed quota.

3. Based on the total number of standard hours exceeding the quota of departments or faculties with one department, the number of hours exceeding the quota for each teacher in the department or faculty shall be calculated to ensure compliance with principles, strictness, democracy, transparency, fairness, objectivity, and regulations.

4. For professional activities already compensated with support from other funding sources, these hours shall be included in the total number of standard hours of teachers to evaluate their performance in the school year, but if they exceed the standard hour quota, those hours shall not be counted towards the benefits of exceeding the standard hour quota.

5. Teachers invited by other educational institutions outside the school to lecture or participate in scientific research shall not be counted in the total number of standard hours or the time spent on scientific research.

6. Teachers who exceed the standard hour quota shall enjoy the benefits of exceeding the standard hour quota according to current regulations.

7. The number of lecture hours eligible for the benefits of exceeding the standard hour quota for a teacher shall not exceed the standard hour quota specified in Clause 1, Article 4 and Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Effectiveness and transitional provisions

1. This Circular shall take effect from February 15, 2022, and replace Circular No. 96/2017/TT-BQP dated April 27, 2017, issued by the Minister of National Defense regarding standard teaching hours and scientific research quotas for teachers in the Vietnam People's Army.

2. In cases where the cited documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, the amended, supplemented, or replacing documents shall be applied.

Article 11. Responsibility for Implementation

The Chief of General Staff, heads of agencies, units, and related individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular./.