Decree No. 20/2014/ND-CP on universal education and eradication of illiteracy

DECREE

On universal education and eradication of illiteracy12. Leather shoes

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Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

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

promulgates a Decree stipulating the criteria for stratification, ranking framework, and ranking standards for higher education institutions.

The Government promulgates this Decree on universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Decree stipulates the conditions for ensuring, the responsibilities of agencies; standards, authority, and documentation for recognizing the achievement of universal preschool education for five-year-old children, universal primary education, universal lower secondary education (hereinafter referred to collectively as universal education), and eradication of illiteracy.

2. This Decree applies to Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam, organizations, and individuals related to the matter.

Article 2. Policy on universal education and eradication of illiteracy

1. The State prioritizes investment and creates conditions for educational institutions within the national education system to fulfill the tasks of universal education and eradication of illiteracy; encourages and creates conditions for international organizations, foreigners, and overseas Vietnamese to participate in implementing universal education and eradication of illiteracy in Vietnam in accordance with the law.

2. The State implements policies to support individuals who are exempted or granted reduced tuition fees and financial assistance for learning expenses when participating in universal education and eradication of illiteracy programs as prescribed.

3. Individuals involved in organizing, managing, teaching, and other work to implement universal education and eradication of illiteracy shall be entitled to remuneration as prescribed by the State.

Article 3. Responsibilities of citizens, families, and educational institutions regarding universal education and eradication of illiteracy

1. Every citizen within the prescribed age has the duty to study to achieve the level of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

2. Families have the responsibility to create conditions for family members within the prescribed age to study to achieve the level of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

3. Educational institutions have the responsibility to organize the implementation of universal education and eradication of illiteracy according to their functions and tasks.

Chapter II

UNIVERSAL EDUCATION

Section 1

UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL EDUCATION FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Article 4. Objectives of universal preschool education for five-year-old children

The objectives of universal preschool education for five-year-old children are children aged five who have not completed the preschool education program.

Article 5. Education program for universal preschool education for five-year-old children

The education program for universal preschool education for five-year-old children is the preschool education program for five to six-year-olds.

Article 6. Standards for recognizing the achievement of universal preschool education for five-year-old children

1. For individuals: Completion of the preschool education program.

2. For communes, wards, towns (hereinafter referred to collectively as commune)

a) The proportion of five-year-old children attending classes must be at least 95%; for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 90%;

b) The proportion of five-year-old children completing the preschool education program must be at least 85%; for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 80%.

3. For districts, urban districts, provincial cities (hereinafter referred to collectively as district): At least 90% of communes must be recognized as achieving the standard for universal preschool education for five-year-old children.

4. For provinces, centrally-administered municipalities (hereinafter referred to collectively as province): All districts must be recognized as achieving the standard for universal preschool education for five-year-old children.

Section 2

UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION

Article 7. Objectives of universal primary education

The objectives of universal primary education are children aged from 6 to 14 who have not completed the primary education curriculum.

Article 8. Curriculum for implementing universal primary education

The curriculum for implementing universal primary education is the primary level general education curriculum.

Article 9. Standards for recognizing the achievement of the first level of universal primary education standards

1. For individuals: Completion of the primary education curriculum.

2. For communes:

a) The ratio of six-year-old children entering grade one must be at least 90%;

b) The ratio of children up to 14 years old completing the primary education curriculum must be at least 80%, for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 70%.

3. For districts: At least 90% of communes must be recognized as achieving the first level of universal primary education standards.

4. For provinces: All districts must be recognized as achieving the first level of universal primary education standards.

Article 10. Standards for recognizing the achievement of the second level of universal primary education standards

1. For communes:

a) Ensuring the standards for recognizing the achievement of the first level of universal primary education standards;

b) The ratio of six-year-old children entering grade one must be at least 95%;

c) The ratio of eleven-year-old children completing the primary education curriculum must be at least 80%, for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 70%; all remaining eleven-year-old children must be currently enrolled in primary school classes.

2. For districts: At least 90% of communes must be recognized as achieving the second level of universal primary education standards.

3. For provinces: All districts must be recognized as achieving the second level of universal primary education standards.

Article 11. Standards for recognizing the achievement of the third level of universal primary education standards

1. For communes:

a) Ensuring the standards for recognizing the achievement of the second level of universal primary education standards;

b) The ratio of six-year-old children entering grade one must be at least 98%;

c) The ratio of eleven-year-old children completing the primary education curriculum must be at least 90%, for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 80%; all remaining eleven-year-old children must be currently enrolled in primary school classes.

2. For districts: At least 90% of communes must be recognized as achieving the third level of universal primary education standards.

3. For provinces: All districts must be recognized as achieving the third level of universal primary education standards.

Section 3

UNIVERSAL LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION

Article 12. Objectives of universal lower secondary education

The objectives of universal lower secondary education are young people and teenagers aged from 11 to 18 who have completed the primary education curriculum but have not graduated from lower secondary school.

Article 13. Curriculum for implementing universal lower secondary education

The curriculum for implementing universal lower secondary education is the lower secondary level general education curriculum.

Article 14. Standards for recognizing the achievement of the first level of universal lower secondary education standards

1. For individuals: Receiving a lower secondary school graduation certificate.

2. For communes:

a) Ensuring the standards for recognizing the achievement of the first level of universal primary education standards and the first level of literacy standards;

b) The ratio of young people and teenagers aged from 15 to 18 graduating from lower secondary school must be at least 80%, for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 70%.

3. For districts: At least 90% of communes must achieve the first level of universal lower secondary education standards.

4. For provinces: All districts must achieve the first level of universal lower secondary education standards.

Article 15. Standards for Recognizing Achievement of Secondary Education Popularization Level 2

1. For communes:

a) Ensuring the standards for recognizing achievement of secondary education popularization level 1;

b) The proportion of young people aged from 15 to 18 who have completed lower secondary education must be at least 90%, and for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 80%.

2. For districts: At least 95% of communes must achieve the standard for secondary education popularization level 2.

3. For provinces: All districts must achieve the standard for secondary education popularization level 2.

Article 16. Standards for Recognizing Achievement of Secondary Education Popularization Level 3

1. For communes:

a) Ensuring the standards for recognizing achievement of secondary education popularization level 2;

b) The proportion of young people aged from 15 to 18 who have completed lower secondary education must be at least 95%, and for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 90%;

c) The proportion of young people aged from 15 to 18 currently enrolled in general education programs or continuing education programs at the lower secondary level or vocational education must be at least 80%, and for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, it must be at least 70%.

2. For districts: All communes must achieve the standard for secondary education popularization level 3.

3. For provinces: All districts must achieve the standard for secondary education popularization level 3.

Chapter III

LITERACY ERADICATION

Article 17. Objectives of Literacy Eradication

The targets of literacy eradication are individuals aged from 15 to 60 who are illiterate.

Article 18. Educational Programs for Literacy Eradication

The educational program for literacy eradication is either the primary education curriculum or a literacy and post-literacy education program.

Article 19. Standards for Recognizing Individuals Achieving Literacy Level 1

1. Individuals achieving literacy level 1: Completing phase 1 of the literacy and post-literacy education program or completing grade 3 of the primary education curriculum.

2. Individuals achieving literacy level 2: Completing phase 2 of the literacy and post-literacy education program or completing the primary education curriculum.

Article 20. Standards for Recognizing Achievement of Literacy Eradication Level 1

1. For communes: At least 90% of individuals aged from 15 to 35 must be recognized as achieving literacy level 1; for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, at least 90% of individuals aged from 15 to 25 must be recognized as achieving literacy level 1.

2. For districts: At least 90% of communes must be recognized as achieving literacy eradication level 1.

3. For provinces: At least 90% of districts must be recognized as achieving literacy eradication level 1.

Article 21. Standards for Recognizing Achievement of Literacy Eradication Level 2

1. For communes: At least 90% of individuals aged from 15 to 60 must be recognized as achieving literacy level 2; for communes with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, at least 90% of individuals aged from 15 to 35 must be recognized as achieving literacy level 2.

2. For districts: At least 90% of communes must be recognized as achieving literacy eradication level 2.

3. For provinces: All districts must be recognized as achieving literacy eradication level 2.

Chapter IV

Article 22. Conditions for Ensuring the Implementation of Universal Education,

LITERACY ERADICATION

Article 22. Persons Participating in Teaching and Monitoring Universal Education and Literacy Eradication

1. Teachers at preschool education institutions, general education institutions, continuing education institutions, vocational education institutions, and other educational institutions.

2. Individuals who meet the conditions stipulated by the Education Law and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Education Law.

3. In special cases, other individuals may be mobilized to participate in teaching literacy eradication.

4. Preschool education institutions, general education institutions, and continuing education institutions shall assign personnel to monitor universal education and literacy eradication work in the assigned areas.

Article 23. Material and Technical Facilities for Teaching

1. Educational institutions participating in implementing universal education must have sufficient material and technical facilities according to the minimum requirements set forth to organize educational activities under the universal education program.

2. Educational institutions, community learning centers, government agencies, and social organizations shall use their own material and technical facilities to organize and implement literacy eradication.

3. Encourage political-social organizations, other organizations, and individuals to create favorable conditions regarding material and technical facilities for the implementation of universal education and literacy eradication.

Article 24. Financial Resources for Universal Education and Literacy Eradication

The funds for implementing universal education and literacy eradication are balanced within the state budget estimates annually according to the division of responsibilities and sources of funding from domestic and foreign organizations, enterprises, individuals, and communities.

Chapter V

AUTHORITY, FILES, PROCEDURES, AND TIME FOR INSPECTION AND RECOGNITION OF STANDARDS

OF UNIVERSAL EDUCATION AND LITERACY ERADICATION

UNIVERSAL EDUCATION AND LITERACY ERADICATION

Article 25. Authority for Inspection and Recognition of Standards for Universal Education and Literacy Eradication

1. The People's Committee of the district shall inspect and issue decisions recognizing the standards for universal education and literacy eradication at the commune level.

2. The People's Committee of the province shall inspect and issue decisions recognizing the standards for universal education and literacy eradication at the district level.

3. The Ministry of Education and Training shall inspect and issue decisions recognizing the standards for universal education and literacy eradication at the provincial level.

Article 26. Files for Requesting Recognition of Communes Achieving Universal Education and Literacy Eradication Standards

1. The files for universal education and literacy eradication include:

a) Survey forms for universal education and literacy eradication;

b) Registers for monitoring universal education and literacy eradication;

c) Lists of children completing the preschool education curriculum (for universal preschool education); lists of students completing the primary education curriculum (for universal primary education); lists of students graduating from junior high school; lists of students with vocational certificates (for universal secondary education); lists of learners recognized as literate at various levels (for literacy eradication).

2. The files for requesting recognition of communes achieving standards include:

a) Reports on the process of implementation and results of universal education or literacy eradication accompanied by statistical tables;

b) Minutes of self-inspection of universal education or literacy eradication.

Article 27. Files for Requesting Recognition of Districts Achieving Universal Education and Literacy Eradication Standards

1. Reports on the process of implementation and results of universal education or literacy eradication accompanied by statistical tables.

2. Minutes of inspections of universal education or literacy eradication conducted by the district for communes.

3. Decisions recognizing communes as achieving standards for universal education or literacy eradication.

Article 28. Documents for requesting recognition of a province achieving universal education and literacy standards

1. Reports on the process of implementation and results of universal education or literacy eradication accompanied by statistical tables.

2. Inspection records on universal education or literacy of the province for districts.

3. Decision recognizing a district as achieving universal education or literacy standards.

Article 29. Content of inspection and recognition of achieving universal education and literacy standards

1. Inspect educational statistics and actual results of universal education or literacy implementation.

2. Issue decisions recognizing achievement of universal education or literacy standards for communes, districts, or provinces if they meet the criteria stipulated in this Decree.

Article 30. Procedures and formalities for inspection and recognition of achieving universal education and literacy standards

1. Communes self-inspect and prepare documents to request district inspection and recognition of commune achievement of universal education and literacy standards.

2. Districts inspect and recognize communes and prepare documents to request provincial inspection and recognition of district achievement of universal education and literacy standards.

3. Provinces inspect and recognize districts and prepare documents to request the Ministry of Education and Training inspection and recognition of provincial achievement of universal education and literacy standards.

4. The Ministry of Education and Training inspects and recognizes provincial achievement of universal education and literacy standards.

Article 31. Timeframe for inspection and recognition of achieving universal education and literacy standards

1. The reporting time for annual statistical data on universal education and literacy is as follows:

a) For communes: September 30;

b) For districts: October 5;

c) For provinces: October 10.

2. Provinces must complete the inspection and recognition of achieving universal education and literacy standards before December 30 each year.

Chapter VI

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING STATE MANAGEMENT

OF UNIVERSAL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

Article 32. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Education and Training

1. Develop and submit to competent authorities for issuance, or issue within its authority, policies and laws on implementing universal education and literacy.

2. Guide localities in developing school network planning to meet universal education and literacy requirements.

3. Issue and guide the implementation of curricula and teaching materials for universal education and literacy.

4. Guide localities in implementing regulations on professional training and capacity building for those involved in universal education and literacy teaching.

5. Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to develop systems and policies for universal education and literacy.

6. Organize inspections and audits of universal education and literacy implementation and inspections and recognitions of provincial achievement of universal education and literacy standards.

7. Annually compile results of universal education and literacy and report to the Prime Minister.

Article 33. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Home Affairs

Lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training to guide methods for determining job positions and staffing in public educational institutions to fulfill universal education and literacy tasks.

Article 34. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Finance

Lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and centrally governed cities and provinces to aggregate budget estimates for implementing universal education and literacy to report to the competent authority for consideration and decision-making in the state budget annually according to the division of responsibilities.

Article 35. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Planning and Investment

Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education and Training to balance central support sources for the implementation of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

Article 36. Responsibilities of other Ministries, sectors, political-social organizations, and other organizations

1. Other Ministries and sectors, according to their assigned functions and tasks, shall be responsible for participating in the implementation of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

2. Political-social organizations and other organizations within the scope of their functions and tasks shall participate in the implementation of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

Article 37. Responsibilities of Provincial People's Committees

1. Direct the implementation of school network planning and implement investment plans to upgrade schools serving the requirements of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

2. Direct the implementation of the provincial universal education and eradication of illiteracy plan.

3. Organize inspections and recognition of counties achieving universal education and eradication of illiteracy standards.

4. Organize inspections and supervision of the implementation of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

5. Issue policies appropriate to the economic and social conditions of the locality to accelerate universal education and eradication of illiteracy in the area.

Article 38. Responsibilities of District People's Committees

1. Direct the implementation of school network planning and implement investment plans to upgrade schools serving the requirements of universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

2. Direct the implementation of the county universal education and eradication of illiteracy plan.

3. Organize inspections and recognition of communes achieving universal education and eradication of illiteracy standards.

4. Promote and mobilize organizations and individuals to participate in universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

Article 39. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the commune level

1. Develop and organize the implementation of the commune universal education and eradication of illiteracy plan.

2. Implement universal education and eradication of illiteracy in the area.

3. Promote and mobilize organizations and individuals to cooperate with educational institutions in the area to implement universal education and eradication of illiteracy.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 40. Effective Date

1. This Decree takes effect from May 15, 2014.

2. Decree No. 88/2001/NĐ-CP dated November 22, 2001 on the implementation of universal lower secondary education ceases to be effective from the date this Decree takes effect.

Article 41. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister of Education and Training shall provide guidance on the implementation of this Decree.

2. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees are responsible for implementing this Decree./.