Circular No. 21/2008/TT-BGDĐT guiding the work of competition and commendation in the education sector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Competition and Reward Work in the Education Sector

Pursuant to the Law on Competition and Reward dated November 26, 2003, and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward dated June 14, 2005;

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

Pursuant to Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward;

Pursuant to Circular No. 01/2007/TT-VPCP dated July 31, 2007 of the Government Office guiding the implementation of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward;

After reaching consensus with the Central Steering Committee for Competition and Reward, the Ministry of Education and Training issues guidelines for competition and reward work in the education sector.

I. GENERAL GUIDELINES

This Circular applies to units under the Ministry of Education and Training; departments of education and training, education and training divisions; preschool education institutions, general education institutions, regular education institutions, teacher training colleges, college of education, universities, universities, academies, other educational institutions, and related organizations and individuals (hereinafter referred to collectively as agencies and units).

a) These guidelines provide guidance on competition and reward work in the education sector;

b) These guidelines apply to individuals working in the education sector, schools, and other educational institutions (hereinafter collectively referred to as educational institutions), units directly under the Ministry, units under the Ministry, and related organizations and individuals.

2. Objectives of Competition and Reward Work

Competition and reward work in the education sector aims to create motivation to encourage and honor collectives and individuals to uphold patriotic traditions, enthusiastically engage in the competition "Teaching Well - Studying Well," be dynamic, creatively labor, and strive to fulfill assigned tasks excellently, contributing to achieving the development goals of the education sector.

3. Principles of Competition and Reward

a) Principles of competition and awarding commendations:

- Voluntary, conscious, and open competition;

- Competition must ensure a spirit of unity, cooperation, and mutual development;

- The awarding of commendations must be based on the results of the competition movement; individuals and collectives participating in the competition movement must register for competition, set competition goals, and performance indicators; those who do not register for competition will not be considered or recognized for commendations in regular competition movements.

b) Principles of rewards:

- Rewards must be accurate, transparent, fair, democratic, and timely based on the correct assessment of the work performance of collectives and individuals; quality is emphasized according to standards without forcing quantity; rewards for collectives and individuals are not mandatory to follow a sequence from lower-level rewards to higher-level ones; achievements are rewarded accordingly; achievements made under difficult conditions and with wider influence are considered and proposed for higher-level rewards;

- A reward form can be awarded multiple times to the same recipient;

- Ensure consistency between the nature, form, and recipients of rewards;

- Closely combine spiritual encouragement with material incentives.

II. COMPETITION AND COMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

1. Forms and Content of Organizing Competition Movements in the Education Sector

a) Regular Competition: This is a form of competition based on the functions and tasks assigned to individuals and collectives to organize and launch, aiming to perform daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks of agencies, units, and educational institutions within the national education system at their best.

- For subject groups, administrative groups, departments, rooms, subject teams, and entire schools, educational institutions; subject groups, departments, offices, and equivalent units of district education and training departments and entire district education and training departments; departments, offices, and equivalent units of provincial education and training departments and entire provincial education and training departments (hereinafter collectively referred to as object 1), the evaluation of competition is conducted annually. During the academic year, educational institutions are divided into blocks, clusters, regions, and areas; district education and training departments within a province are divided into clusters, and provincial education and training departments are divided into regions and regions to establish competition agreements. Implement registration of competition agreements between individuals, collectives, and units; only individuals and collectives that have registered for competition are eligible for evaluation of commendations. At the end of the academic year, a summary and evaluation of commendations are conducted.

- For units directly under the Ministry, units under the Ministry (Ministry Office, Bureau, Department, Institute, Room, Office, or equivalent units) and individuals who are civil servants, workers, and staff working in agencies and units within the sector (hereinafter collectively referred to as object 2), the evaluation of competition is conducted annually according to the Gregorian calendar. Implement registration of competition agreements between individuals, collectives, and units; only individuals and collectives that have registered for competition are eligible for evaluation of commendations. At the end of the Gregorian year, a summary and evaluation of commendations are conducted.

b) Periodic Competition: This is a form of competition launched by educational institutions based on themes, topics, monthly, or semester periods to effectively complete the academic year's tasks; district education and training departments, provincial education and training departments, and the Ministry of Education and Training launch periodic competitions, thematic competitions, or contests to implement specific programs, projects, or address urgent tasks of the sector within a specified period.

When summarizing and concluding periodic competitions, there should be an evaluation of the results and impact of the movement, public selection, evaluation, commendation, and promotion of outstanding exemplary collectives and individuals, dissemination, popularization, and expansion of exemplary models in the education sector.

2. Standards and Evaluation of Commendations

a) Advanced Worker Title

- Standards for the Advanced Worker Title:

+ Successfully completing assigned tasks with high productivity and quality;

+ Adhering well to Party policies and state laws, demonstrating self-reliance and self-strengthening spirit; being united, supportive, and actively participating in competition movements;

+ Actively studying politics, culture, professional knowledge, and vocational skills;

+ Having a healthy moral character and lifestyle.

- The evaluation of the Advanced Worker Title specifically applies to the education sector:

+ For teachers teaching at preschool education facilities, general education schools, vocational secondary schools, and regular education facilities (hereinafter referred to as teachers), they must strictly adhere to the Party's policies and State laws, possess self-reliance spirit; be united, supportive, actively participate in competitive movements; actively study politics, culture, professional knowledge, and business skills; have good morals and healthy lifestyles; excellently complete assigned tasks, achieving high productivity and quality specifically as follows: implement programs fully and strictly comply with industry regulations and educational facility rules such as lesson preparation, grading, class instruction, student assessment, using teaching aids, maintaining records and files as required; teach with high quality throughout the school year, especially through teaching demonstrations and seminars recognized and ranked by colleagues; achieve high effectiveness in educating students according to educational goals and principles; manage students well, pay attention to educating individual students (if any), care for and assist students from difficult circumstances. Build close relationships between schools, families, and social forces to coordinate in educating students both inside and outside of school;

+ For lecturers teaching at higher education institutions, they must strictly adhere to the Party's policies and State laws, possess self-reliance spirit; be united, supportive, actively participate in competitive movements; actively study politics, culture, professional knowledge, business skills, and scientific research; have good morals and healthy lifestyles; excellently complete assigned tasks, achieving high productivity and quality specifically as follows: be proficient in their field, respected by colleagues, esteemed by students, and effectively implement training objectives with quality and efficiency. Exceed the workload and content of the course based on the framework program of the Ministry of Education and Training, following the teaching schedule of the department and institution. Lectures must ensure accuracy, scientific rigor, and update new scientific information relevant to Vietnam's context. Through exercises, experiments, practical activities, and internships, reinforce theoretical knowledge, develop scientific experimental methods, form skills, qualities, and professional abilities for students; guide students to complete term papers, major assignments, designs, graduation projects, and theses on time;

+ For cadres, civil servants, and employees working in agencies and units, they must excellently complete assigned tasks, achieving high productivity and quality; strictly adhere to the Party's policies and State laws, possess supportive spirit; actively study politics, culture, professional knowledge, and business skills, positively contribute to improving work procedures and administrative reform to enhance labor productivity; have good morals and healthy lifestyles;

+ The title of Advanced Worker is awarded annually, once a year. For individuals belonging to category 1, the award is given at the end of the academic year; for individuals belonging to category 2, the award is given at the end of the Gregorian calendar year;

+ For individuals belonging to category 1, they must register for competition at the beginning of the academic year; for individuals belonging to category 2, they must register for competition at the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Individuals who successfully complete assigned tasks (including completing the quantity and quality of assigned work with high productivity and quality) will be included in the list for the Competition and Reward Council to recognize the title of Advanced Worker. Those who receive the title of Advanced Worker must be selected from those who have successfully completed assigned tasks;

+ Individuals specified in point a, Clause 1, Section II may be sent for short-term training under one year. If they achieve satisfactory academic results and strictly follow the regulations of the training institutions, their academic results and performance at their agencies, units, or educational facilities will be considered for the award of the title of Advanced Worker. In cases where they attend training for one year or more and achieve satisfactory academic results, that year will be equivalent to the title of Advanced Worker, serving as the basis for considering other commendation titles;

+ For individuals belonging to category 1 and category 2, if they take continuous leave for two months or more (forty days or more according to the working system) in a year, they will not be eligible for consideration and election for the title of Advanced Worker;

+ For individuals belonging to category 1 and category 2, when transferring to a new position or unit, the new unit is responsible for considering and electing the title of Advanced Worker based on the evaluation opinions of the previous unit. For individuals belonging to category 1 who have worked from September of the previous year to March of the following year (according to the academic year), and for individuals belonging to category 2 who have worked for ten months or more before the decision to transfer, the previous unit will consider and elect the title of Advanced Worker;

b) The title of Model Worker at the grassroots level;

- Criteria for the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level:

+ Meet the criteria for the title of Advanced Worker;

+ Have innovative ideas, technical improvements, or the application of new technology to increase labor productivity;

- The specific application of having innovative ideas, technical improvements to increase labor productivity in the education sector for the evaluation of the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level is as follows:

+ For preschool, primary, lower secondary, upper secondary teachers, and community learning centers: have innovative ideas, technical improvements, or the application of new technology in teaching to improve teaching quality and training effectiveness, recognized and certified by the local Scientific Council;

+ For vocational secondary school teachers: have innovative ideas, technical improvements recognized by the school's Scientific Council and applied within the school.

For lecturers: having initiatives, technical improvements, or applying new technology to teaching in order to innovate teaching content and methods, thereby enhancing training effectiveness, or research topics that are scientifically evaluated and ranked as good or better by the school's Science Council and applied in the training process, production, bringing about practical benefits.

- The title of Model Worker at the grassroots level is awarded annually, once a year. Specifically, for individuals under category 1, the award is given at the end of the academic year; for individuals under category 2, it is given at the end of the calendar year.

- Model Workers at the grassroots level are selected from individuals who have been recognized with the title of Advanced Worker and who must necessarily have technical improvement initiatives or apply technology to increase labor productivity, recognized by the grassroots-level Science Council.

+The establishment of the grassroots-level Science Council to recognize technical improvement initiatives of kindergarten, primary, and secondary school teachers, and community learning centers is decided by the district education and training department; for high school teachers and regular education centers, it is decided by the provincial education and training department; for teachers, lecturers, civil servants, and employees of vocational colleges, colleges, universities, and agencies under the Ministry, it is decided by the directors, principals, or heads of units. The Science Council consists of members with professional expertise, management skills, and the ability to evaluate and appraise initiatives, experiences, or solutions in management and implementation tasks of the agency or unit.

c) The title of Model Worker at the Ministry level:

- The title of Model Worker at the Ministry level is awarded to outstanding individuals among those who have continuously achieved the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level three times consecutively, and whose achievements and technical improvement initiatives have an impact on the education sector.

- The title of Model Worker at the Ministry level is awarded regularly every year.

d) The title of National Model Worker:

- The title of National Model Worker is awarded to outstanding individuals among those who have continuously achieved the title of Model Worker at the Ministry level, central sector, central mass organizations, province, or centrally governed city twice consecutively, and whose achievements and technical improvement initiatives have an impact nationwide.

- The title of National Model Worker is awarded regularly every year.

Example: Mr. Nguyen Van A, who has continuously achieved the title of "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" in 2001, 2002, and 2003, will be eligible for the title of "Model Worker at the Ministry Level" (or provincial level) for the first time in 2003; subsequently, if he continues to achieve the title of "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" in 2004, 2005, and 2006, he will be eligible for the title of "Model Worker at the Ministry Level" (or provincial level) for the second time in 2006, and based on this, he will be eligible for the title of "National Model Worker" in 2007.

d) The title of Advanced Labor Collective:

- Criteria for the title of Advanced Labor Collective:

+ Completing assigned tasks well;

+ Having a continuous, practical, and effective competition movement;

+ More than 50% of individuals in the collective achieving the title of Advanced Worker and no individual being disciplined with a warning or higher;

+ Internal unity, strictly adhering to Party policies and state laws.

- The evaluation for the title of Advanced Labor Collective is carried out as follows:

+ The title of Advanced Labor Collective is awarded annually, once a year, at the end of the academic year for collectives under category 1 and at the end of the calendar year for collectives under category 2;

+ The title of Advanced Labor Collective is awarded to exemplary collectives selected from those that complete their assigned tasks well;

+ Among the four criteria for recognizing the title of advanced labor collective, criterion 1: completing assigned tasks and plans, specifically in schools as follows:

For preschool education institutions: ensuring stable development targets, implementing many measures to mobilize children to attend classes; improving childcare and education, effectively disseminating knowledge on childcare and education to parents and the community; most children in the institution are healthy, with no outbreaks of disease, poisoning, or accidents, ensuring food safety; building a clean, green, and beautiful campus; professional quality rated as good or better by the education and training department;

For primary schools: strictly implementing the curriculum, content, and teaching plan as prescribed; organizing extracurricular educational activities well; implementing measures to mobilize students to attend school and maintain enrollment; improving teaching methods, enhancing comprehensive educational quality and training effectiveness; ensuring food safety, building a clean, green, and beautiful campus. There should be no instances of cheating in student assessment and grading; professional quality rated as good or better by the education and training department.

For secondary schools, high schools, high schools with multiple levels, and regular education centers: Strictly implement the curriculum, content, and teaching plans as prescribed; organize educational activities well, nurture outstanding students, and provide remedial instruction for underperforming students according to industry regulations; adopt measures and solutions to improve teaching content and methods, eliminating the situation where teachers read and students copy during classes; encourage students' initiative and creativity in absorbing new knowledge; strictly and fully implement the enrollment plan for the initial level, the development plan for education, ensuring solid quantitative growth; link school activities with practical situations and socio-economic goals of the locality. There should be no cheating or negative behaviors in testing, grading, and ranking students, no negative practices in enrollment exams and graduation exams, ensuring food safety, and building a clean, green, and beautiful campus; the professional quality must be rated as good or better by the district education and training department (for secondary schools) or the provincial education and training department.

For vocational colleges: Strictly implement the training program, content, and plans as prescribed and meet social needs; have sufficient lecture outlines and lesson plans suitable for lectures, and necessary tools and equipment for student practice and internships; innovate teaching methods for subjects to align with Vietnamese realities and trends in scientific and technological development within the specialized field; contribute positively to compiling textbooks and teaching materials, as well as conducting scientific research, experimental science and technology, and production work in the school; ensure food safety, and build a clean, green, and beautiful campus. There should be no negative or fraudulent behaviors in testing, grading, graduation exams, and social evils within the school.

For higher education institutions: Based on the framework programs issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, schools must supplement and complete detailed programs for all majors and training systems within the institution; link the training and scientific research processes of the school with real-life situations; compile textbooks and reference materials to serve teaching and training effectively; the scientific research movement among teaching staff must be practical and effective; innovate teaching methods, apply information technology, and modern equipment in teaching and learning activities; employ various guidance and nurturing methods for learning such as self-study, finding and applying knowledge; guide students and trainees in scientific research; ensure food safety, and build a clean, green, and beautiful campus. There should be no negative or fraudulent behaviors in testing, grading, graduation exams, thesis, project, dissertation, and social evils within the school.

e) The title of Outstanding Labor Collective

- Criteria for the title of Outstanding Labor Collective:

+ Innovative and overcoming difficulties to excellently complete tasks and fulfill obligations to the State;

+ Having a continuous, practical, and effective competition movement;

+ All individuals in the collective must complete their assigned tasks, with at least 70% of individuals achieving the Advanced Worker title;

+ At least one individual must achieve the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level, and there must be no individual disciplined with a warning or higher penalty;

+ Internal unity, strictly adhering to Party policies and state laws.

- The evaluation process for the title of Outstanding Labor Collective is carried out as follows:

+ The title of Outstanding Labor Collective is selected from among the Advanced Labor Collectives that meet the criteria specified above;

+ The title of Outstanding Labor Collective is awarded annually, once a year at the end of the academic year for collectives in category 1, or at the end of the calendar year for collectives in category 2.

f) The Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training

- Criteria for the Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training:

+ Exceeding set targets and completing assigned tasks for the academic year for collectives in category 1, or for the calendar year for collectives in category 2; being an exemplary and outstanding collective of the Ministry of Education and Training;

+ Having new factors and models for other schools and units under the Ministry, and affiliated units of the Ministry of Education and Training to emulate;

+ Internal unity, actively practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, and other social evils.

- The evaluation process for the Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training is carried out as follows:

+ Collectives that are outstanding, comprehensively and excellently completing assigned tasks for the academic year or work assignments; having new factors and models for other collectives in the education sector to emulate; being recognized as outstanding units in competition groups of the Ministry of Education and Training meeting the specified criteria;

+ The Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training is awarded annually, once a year at the end of the academic year for collectives in category 1, or at the end of the calendar year for collectives in category 2;

The number of excellence flags awarded by the Ministry of Education and Training to departments of education and training is defined according to seven competition regions as follows: Region 1: provinces in Northwest, Northeast and North Midlands (Dien Bien, Son La, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Hoa Binh, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho); Region 2: provinces in the Red River Delta (Haiphong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Ha Tay, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh and Thai Binh); Region 3: provinces in North Central Vietnam (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue); Region 4: provinces in South Central Vietnam and Central Highlands (Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong); Region 5: provinces in Southeast Vietnam (Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan); Region 6: provinces in the Mekong Delta (Long An, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, An Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau); Region 7: five centrally governed cities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho). At the end of the academic year, based on the assessment and honorific selection of each region, the Ministry of Education and Training will choose departments of education and training that have excellently completed their academic year tasks and achieved or exceeded the set work standards to award them the Ministry's excellence flag.

The number and procedures for awarding the Ministry of Education and Training's excellence flag to educational offices and educational institutions are defined as follows: The director of the department of education and training, the heads of schools and units under the Ministry report achievements and submit a proposal requesting the Minister to award the flag. Based on the achievements of the units and the results of functional departments' monitoring and inspection, the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the sector will consider and select to propose the Minister to award the Ministry's excellence flag to seven outstanding educational offices in seven competition regions nationwide; seven units in early childhood education; twenty-one units in general education (elementary school: seven, middle school: seven; and high school: seven); four units in vocational education; seven units in higher education; four units in continuing education; and five units in organizations and enterprises under the Ministry, and schools under the Ministry not included in the above levels.

g) The Government's Excellence Flag.

Annually, according to the academic year or the Gregorian calendar year, the Minister of Education and Training proposes the Prime Minister to decide to award the "Government's Excellence Flag" to collectives meeting the following criteria:

+ Achieving outstanding results, exceeding assigned competition targets and tasks in the year; being exemplary and outstanding collectives nationwide;

+ Having new factors and models that serve as national benchmarks;

+ Internal unity, leading in practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, and other social evils.

The assessment of the Government's Excellence Flag specifically applies to the education sector:

+ Collectives that are outstanding, excellently and comprehensively completing the academic year tasks or assigned work, having new factors and models for the entire education sector to learn from, are selected and honored as the best units in the competition groups of the Ministry of Education and Training;

+ The number of Government's Excellence Flags: Annually, the Ministry of Education and Training registers with the Central Steering Committee for Competition and Reward the number of Government's Excellence Flags;

+ For educational institutions and organizations under the Ministry: At the end of the academic year or the Gregorian calendar year, based on outstanding and superior achievements, having new factors and models for other units in the group to learn from, the units submit their files to the Standing Committee of the Sectoral Competition and Reward Council. The Standing Committee of the Sectoral Competition and Reward Council will review and vote to propose the Minister to recommend the Prime Minister to award the "Government's Excellence Flag".

h) Heroic Labor Title, People's Teacher Title, Excellent Teacher Title:

- The Heroic Labor Title is reviewed annually, implemented according to Article 61 of the Law on Competition and Reward and Article 63 of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward.

- The People's Teacher Title and Excellent Teacher Title are reviewed and announced every two years on the occasion of Teachers' Day on November 20, implemented according to the Circular guiding the Ministry of Education and Training on the criteria, procedures, formalities, and files for awarding the People's Teacher Title and Excellent Teacher Title.

3. Authority to decide on recognizing commendation titles

a) Schools and units directly under the Ministry, upon completion of the academic year (or Gregorian calendar year), submit files to the Sectoral Competition and Reward Council for consideration and submission to the Minister of Education and Training to decide on recognizing the title of Outstanding Worker at the Ministry level, the Ministry of Education and Training's Excellence Flag, and the title of Outstanding Collective.

b) Units under the Ministry, units of public institutions, units of enterprises under the Ministry with legal personality, separate accounts, and separate seals: Inspection, Departments, the Ministry's Office, the Ministry's representative office in Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam Institute of Educational Science, National Academy of Educational Administration, Ho Chi Minh City School of Educational Management, Education and Times Newspaper, Education Journal; Education Publishing House, Educational Equipment Company I, Educational Equipment Company II, School Design Research Institute, Vocational Training Center, then the heads of these units are considered and decide to recognize the titles of Advanced Worker, Outstanding Worker at the grassroots level, and Advanced Worker Collective.

c) Units under the Ministry of Education and Training, except those specified in point b, Clause 3, Section II of this Circular, upon completion of the Gregorian calendar year, conduct competition assessments and submit results to the Sectoral Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry of Education and Training for consideration, election, reporting, and submission to the Minister of Education and Training to decide on recognizing the titles of Advanced Worker, Outstanding Worker at the grassroots level, Advanced Worker Collective, and Outstanding Worker Collective.

For the title of Outstanding Competitor at the Ministry level, based on the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Training's Commendation and Reward Council, the Standing Committee of the Education Sector's Commendation and Reward Council shall examine and elect to submit to the Minister of Education and Training for decision to recognize.

III. FORMS OF REWARD AND CRITERIA FOR REWARDS

1. Forms of reward:

a) Regular rewards: are forms of reward conducted annually for units and individuals who have achieved outstanding results after completing the academic year's tasks or annual plans.

b) Special topic rewards: are forms of reward for units and individuals who have achieved outstanding results when reviewing and concluding the implementation of target programs, special topics improving teaching content and methods, and teaching competitions. Special topic rewards are closely linked to the direct guidance plans of departments, bureaus, inspection agencies, and subordinate units under the Ministry for educational institutions within the national education system.

c) Unexpected rewards: are forms of reward for units and individuals who have achieved unexpected, particularly outstanding results with exemplary effects throughout the sector, such as: courageous actions to save people and property, combat corruption and negative practices, or significant inventions, scientific works, and state-level awards or high achievements in national and international contests.

d) Rewards for dedication over time: are forms of reward for individuals who have made outstanding contributions during revolutionary stages, contributing to the Party's and the nation's revolutionary cause, implemented according to Clause 1, Articles 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30 of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Commendation and Reward.

e) Rewards for years of service in the education sector: are forms of reward in the form of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" for individuals.

g) Foreign rewards: are forms of reward for foreign units and individuals who have made achievements and contributed to the education and training cause of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

2. Criteria for rewards

a) Criteria for rewards in the form of Orders, Medals, State Honorary Titles, Ho Chi Minh Prizes, State Prizes, and Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister are implemented according to Chapter III of the Law on Commendation and Reward; Chapter III of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Commendation and Reward, and other relevant documents issued by competent authorities. The criteria for the titles of People's Teacher and Excellent Teacher are implemented according to the Circular guiding the standards, procedures, formalities, and files for awarding the titles of People's Teacher and Excellent Teacher issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.

b) Criteria for rewards in the form of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" are implemented according to Decision No. 26/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005 of the Minister of Education and Training promulgating the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" and Decision No. 27/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005 of the Minister of Education and Training promulgating the Regulation on awarding the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education".

c) Criteria for rewards in the form of Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training: are forms of reward by the Minister of Education and Training for units and individuals meeting the following criteria:

- For persons:

+ Successfully completing assigned tasks and fulfilling civic duties; having good moral qualities, unity, and exemplary compliance with the Party's policies and the State's laws; actively studying to improve professional skills; and meeting one of the following criteria:

+ Two consecutive times receiving the title of Outstanding Competitor at the grassroots level;

+ Achieving outstanding results recognized during regular, special topic, or annual competition campaigns initiated by the Ministry of Education and Training;

+ Having unexpected achievements, setting examples of good deeds, being exemplary in education and learning within the sector, or making contributions during school anniversary celebrations;

- For units:

+ Successfully completing assigned tasks and achieving two consecutive times the title of Outstanding Unit of Labor, or units achieving outstanding results recognized during regular, special topic, or annual competition campaigns initiated by the Ministry of Education and Training;

+ Maintaining internal unity, effectively implementing democratic regulations at the grassroots level, and actively participating in various competitive movements;

+ Ensuring material and spiritual living conditions within the unit; practicing thrift and combating waste;

+ Effectively implementing policies for all members of the unit;

+ Having clean and strong Party organizations and mass organizations.

- For units and individuals outside the education sector both domestically and internationally who have made outstanding contributions to the development of education and training are also considered and proposed for rewards in the form of Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training.

d) Criteria for rewards in the form of Certificates of Merit from the Heads of Agencies and Units: are forms of reward by the Heads of Agencies and Units at the end of the academic year for units and individuals belonging to category 1, and at the end of the lunar year for units and individuals belonging to category 2. These categories must meet the following criteria:

- For persons:

+ Successfully completing assigned tasks and fulfilling civic duties, or individuals achieving recognized results during regular, special topic, or annual competition campaigns initiated by the agency or unit;

+ Having good moral qualities, unity, and exemplary compliance with the Party's policies and the State's laws;

+ Continuously studying to improve professional skills.

- For units:

+ Successfully completing assigned tasks, or units achieving recognized results during regular, special topic, or annual competition campaigns initiated by the agency or unit;

+ Maintaining internal unity, effectively implementing democratic regulations at the grassroots level, and actively participating in various competitive movements;

+ Caring for the material and spiritual living conditions within the unit; practicing thrift.

+ Fulfill all systems and policies for every member within the collective;

+ Having clean and strong Party organizations and mass organizations.

IV. AUTHORITY TO DECIDE ON REWARDS AND AWARDING CEREMONIES; PROCEDURES, FILES, AND PROCESSES FOR PROPOSING REWARDS

1. Authority to decide on rewards and awarding ceremonies

a) Authority to decide on rewards:

- The President decides to confer Orders, Medals, Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize, and National Honorary Titles;

- The Prime Minister decides to confer the Flag of Excellence from the Government, the title of Outstanding Worker of the Whole Country, and the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister;

- The Minister of Education and Training decides to confer the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" to individuals; Certificates of Merit to individuals or collectives; recognition of the title of Outstanding Worker at the Ministry level; the title of Excellent Labor Collective for schools and units under the Ministry and organizations affiliated with the Ministry; the Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training;

- Heads of units with separate accounts and seals (as stipulated in point b, Clause 3, Section II) decide to confer certificates of merit to individuals and collectives; recognition of titles of Advanced Laborer, Outstanding Worker at the Grassroots Level, and Advanced Labor Collectives.

b) Awarding ceremony: The awarding ceremony is carried out according to Decree No. 154/2004/ND-CP dated August 9, 2004, of the Government on state ceremonial procedures in organizing rallies, commemorative ceremonies; presenting and receiving national honorary titles, Orders, Medals, Flags of Excellence from the Government, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, ensuring solemn and frugal organization specifically as follows:

- For Orders, Medals, national honorary titles, Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize, after receiving notifications from the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council as well as decisions and reward items, the head of the unit develops a plan to organize the reception, submitting it to the Minister (through the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council). After receiving instructions from the Minister, the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council coordinates with the unit to announce and present the awards;

- For commendation titles: Flag of Excellence from the Government, Outstanding Worker of the Whole Country or form of reward: Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister for individuals and collectives, after receiving notifications from the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council as well as decisions and reward items, the head of the unit proactively develops a plan and organizes the announcement and presentation to the individuals and collectives being rewarded by the unit. The unit has the responsibility to notify the plan to the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council for guidance and monitoring;

- For commendation titles and forms of reward within the authority to decide of the Minister of Education and Training, the Minister delegates to the heads of units to announce and present awards to the individuals and collectives being rewarded by the unit. For individuals and collectives belonging to units of the Ministry of Education and Training, annually, the Ministry of Education and Training organizes the announcement and awarding once during the Conference of representatives of cadres, civil servants, and public officials of the Ministry of Education and Training;

2. Procedures, files, and processes for proposing rewards

a) Procedures for proposing, processes for rewarding

- Heads of schools and units directly under the Ministry of Education and Training have the duty and responsibility to reward according to the authority prescribed in point a, Clause 1, Section IV of this Circular and submit to the Minister of Education and Training for the Minister to submit to the Prime Minister (through the Central Competition and Reward Board) to confer Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister or Flag of Excellence from the Government; submit to the Minister of Education and Training for the Minister to submit to the Prime Minister (through the Central Competition and Reward Board) to propose to the President to confer Orders, Medals, Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize, and national honorary titles (Heroic Laborer for collectives and individuals; title of People's Teacher, Excellent Teacher);

- The level that initiates the competition period shall select outstanding and exemplary individuals and collectives to recognize commendation titles or propose to higher levels to confer commendation titles or rewards;

- Departments of education and training have the duty and responsibility to reward according to their authority and submit to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city (through the Competition and Reward Board of the province or centrally governed city) in accordance with the Law on Competition and Reward, Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005, of the Government, and other documents issued by the People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city. The Ministry of Education and Training implements the endorsement of rewards according to the proposal of the Central Competition and Reward Board. The process of proposing rewards by the Ministry of Education and Training according to the authority decided by the Minister is implemented as prescribed for schools and units directly under the Ministry of Education and Training;

- Schools under which ministry or sector shall be rewarded or proposed for rewards according to the authority already defined. Cases of proposing to confer Commemorative Medals shall be implemented according to Decision No. 26/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005, of the Minister of Education and Training promulgating the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" and Decision No. 27/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005, of the Minister of Education and Training promulgating the Regulation on conferring the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education"; cases of proposing to confer the title of People's Teacher, Excellent Teacher shall be implemented according to the Circular guiding standards, procedures, formalities, and files for conferring the title of People's Teacher, Excellent Teacher of the Ministry of Education and Training. The Ministry of Education and Training implements the endorsement of rewards according to the proposal of the Central Competition and Reward Board.

b) Files for proposing rewards:

The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council in the education sector is responsible for receiving files for proposing rewards from units throughout the sector and schools under ministries and sectors in accordance with regulations.

- For the form of reward of Certificate of Merit from the Minister (for collectives and individuals), Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training for collectives including:

||| Memorandum from the Director of the Department of Education and Training to subordinate units and individuals under the Department of Education and Training or heads of schools and units under the Ministry of Education and Training (accompanied by a list);

||| Minutes of meetings of the Commendation and Award Council of the provincial education sector or minutes of meetings of the Commendation and Award Council of schools and units under the Ministry and units under the Ministry of Education and Training;

||| Reports on achievements of groups and individuals proposed for commendation, confirmed by competent authorities;

||| For educational institutions under other central ministries, sectors, and mass organizations proposing commendation to the Ministry of Education and Training, in addition to the above files, there must be a proposal letter from the managing ministry or sector;

||| - Regarding the form of commendation with the "For the Cause of Education" Commemorative Medal for individuals:

||| The file of the Department of Education and Training, universities, academies, units under the Ministry of Education and Training; ministries, agencies (with schools), National University proposing commendation to the Ministry of Education and Training:

||| + Proposal letter (Appendix Model 1.1 attached);

||| + List of individuals proposed for awarding the "For the Cause of Education" Commemorative Medal (Appendix Model 1.5 attached) and a floppy disk or CD containing this list in Unicode font size 14;

||| If the individual proposed is outside the education sector, additional files of the individual proposing (Appendices Models 1.3, 1.4 attached) must be included. For units under the Ministry and units under the Ministry of Education and Training, in addition to the proposal letter and list of individuals, files of the individual proposing (summary of individual achievements according to the model, clearly written without erasures; copies of decisions or certificates of achievement) must also be submitted. If the individual proposed is a foreigner, additional personal resumes, achievements, and consent opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security must be included;

||| - Files for proposing the award of the title of Hero Labor for individuals and groups under schools and units under the Ministry and units under the Ministry of Education and Training (bound into volumes) include:

||| + Proposal memorandum;

||| + Minutes of meetings of the Commendation and Award Council;

||| + Minutes of voting ballots;

||| + Report on achievements of the group or individual proposed;

||| + Summary of achievements of the individual or group proposed (no more than two A4 pages);

||| The number of files sent to the Ministry is 30 sets (including 3 sets with red seals, the rest are photocopies);

||| For groups or individuals in the education sector under provinces and centrally-administered cities and central ministries, sectors, and mass organizations with schools when submitting proposals for national commendation, they need the approval of the Ministry of Education and Training, the files include:

||| + Proposal document from the Central Commendation and Award Board;

||| + Achievement report, summary of achievements of the unit or individual proposed;

||| - For high-level commendations (from the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit upwards). The proposal files include:

||| + Proposal memorandum (Appendix Model 1 attached);

||| + Minutes (extracts from minutes) of meetings of the Commendation and Award Council (Appendix Model 3 attached);

||| + Achievement report (Appendix Model 4 attached);

||| + Summary of achievements (depending on each type of proposal);

||| Number of files sent to the Ministry: Proposing the award of the Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training, recognition of Excellent Labor Groups, Outstanding Workers at the Ministry level, Outstanding Workers at the grassroots level, 10 sets; Proposing the award of the Flag of Excellence of the Government, conferring the title of National Outstanding Worker, Labor Medals, Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit, 15 sets including summaries of achievements; Proposing the award of the title of National Outstanding Worker, Gold Star Medal, Ho Chi Minh Medal, Independence Medal, 30 sets including summaries of achievements;

||| c) Time for submission of files:

||| - Files proposing the award of the Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training, recognition of Excellent Labor Groups, Outstanding Workers at the Ministry level, Outstanding Workers at the grassroots level, and awarding Certificates of Merit by the Minister of Education and Training should be sent to the Ministry of Education and Training before December 31 each year;

||| - Files proposing the award of the Flag of Excellence of the Government; conferring the title of National Outstanding Worker should be sent to the Ministry of Education and Training before July 31 each year (as evidenced by the postmark);

||| - Files proposing awards of Medals, Certificates of Merit by the Prime Minister should be submitted in two batches annually, the first batch before March 31 and the second batch before July 31 each year;

||| d) Time for reviewing files at the Ministry of Education and Training: For all cases where the files meet the conditions, from the date of receipt, 15 working days for files proposing the award of Certificates of Merit by the Minister, "For the Cause of Education" Commemorative Medals; 30 working days for files proposing recognition of titles: Excellent Labor Groups, Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training, Outstanding Workers at the Ministry level, Flag of Excellence of the Government, proposing awards: Certificates of Merit by the Prime Minister, Labor Medals of various levels; 45 working days for files proposing the award of titles: National Outstanding Worker, Hero Labor, proposing awards: Independence Medal, Ho Chi Minh Medal, Gold Star Medal;

||| 3. Simplified procedures

||| Implemented according to Article 85 of the Law on Commendation and Awards and Article 61 of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards and the Law amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Law on Commendation and Awards. Departments of Education and Training, units under the Ministry, and units under the Ministry of Education and Training, upon discovering groups and individuals who have performed acts of bravery or achieved outstanding and sudden accomplishments in combat, work, labor, and study, should submit files to the Ministry of Education and Training through simplified procedures including: the proposal memorandum of the unit, a summary of achievements of the directly managing agency clearly stating the actions, achievements, and merits to propose commendation through simplified procedures;

||| 4. Procedure for proposing commendation

a) After receiving the dossier, the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall be responsible for examining the commendation titles and reward forms according to current regulations, compiling and submitting to the Minister or to the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry for consideration. For dossiers that do not comply with the regulations, the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall be responsible for notifying the submitting unit during the examination period;

b) For the reward form of the Golden Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, and Hero of Labor title, the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall report to the Minister-Chairman of the Council for comments before proceeding to submit to the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry for consideration and approval. Before submitting to the Prime Minister for consideration and submission to the President (through the Central Department of Competition and Rewards for dossier examination), it must be reviewed by the Party Cadre and Civil Servants' Committee of the Ministry of Education and Training;

c) For the title of National Model Worker, Independence Order, the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall report to the Minister-Chairman of the Council for comments before proceeding to submit to the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry for consideration and approval. The Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall complete the procedures and dossier for signature by the leadership of the Ministry and send to the Central Department of Competition and Rewards for submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and submission to the President for decision on rewards;

d) For the flag of competition from the Government or Merit Certificate from the Prime Minister, Labor Orders of all classes, the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall report to the Minister-Chairman of the Council for comments before sending documents seeking opinions from members of the Council or permanent members of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry. The Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall compile and report the opinions to the Chairman of the Council for decision and complete the dossier for signature by the leadership of the Ministry and send to the Central Department of Competition and Rewards for submission to the Prime Minister for decision or submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and submission to the President for decision on rewards;

e) For the title of Flag of Competition from the Ministry of Education and Training or Merit Certificate from the Minister of Education and Training, Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education", the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall compile and report to the Minister-Chairman of the Council for decision on rewards;

f) For rewarding the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" or Friendship Order to foreign individuals, the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall coordinate with the International Cooperation Department, seek opinions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, compile and report to the Minister-Chairman of the Council for decision on rewards;

g) For rewarding individuals and groups outside the education sector: the head of the unit directly related shall prepare a report attached with a summary of achievements of the individual or group proposed for reward, to be sent to the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry for examination and submission to the Minister and Chairman of the Council for decision. For rewarding groups and individuals from ministries and sectors with schools under their management, they shall have a document (attached with a list and report on achievements) requesting the Ministry of Education and Training to reward, to be sent to the Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the education sector for examination and submission to the Minister and Chairman of the Council for decision;

h) The Standing Committee of the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry shall be responsible for proposing commendation titles and reward forms for leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training, to be submitted to the Department of Competition and Rewards in the industry for consideration to obtain advisory opinions from the Council for decision by the Minister and Chairman of the Council;

V. COMPETITION AND REWARD COUNCILS AT ALL LEVELS

1. Competition and Reward Councils at all levels and Principles of Operation

- Competition and Reward Council in the education sector

- Competition and Reward Councils of units; Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry's agency.

Competition and Reward Councils at all levels in the education sector operate based on the principle of democratic centralism and majority voting. In case the opinions of the members of the Competition and Reward Council are equal, the opinion of the Chairman of the Council shall be decisive.

2. Functions and Tasks of Competition and Reward Councils at all levels in the education sector:

2.1. Competition and Reward Council in the education sector

a) The Competition and Reward Council in the education sector, established by the Minister of Education and Training, has the following functions and tasks:

- Organizing and directing the competition movement in the education sector, ensuring its development in the right direction and effectiveness;

- Selecting outstanding collectives and individuals in the competition movement of the education sector, submitting to the Minister for awarding commendation titles and rewards; submitting to the Prime Minister (through the Central Department of Competition and Rewards) for rewards or submission to the Prime Minister (through the Central Department of Competition and Rewards) for consideration and submission to the President for rewards;

- Summarizing the competition movement in the education sector, thereby proposing plans for organizing, launching, and directing the competition movement throughout the sector to the leadership of the Ministry.

b) Composition of the Competition and Reward Council in the education sector

- Chairman of the Council: Minister of Education and Training;

- Vice-Chairman of the Board:

+ Chairman of the Vietnam Teachers' Union;

+ Deputy Minister of Education and Training (responsible for competition and reward work).

- Permanent members: Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Department, Director of the General Office, Director of the Inspectorate, Director of the Legal Department, Director of the Planning and Finance Department, Director of the Student Affairs Department, and Head of the Competition and Reward Department;

- Secretary: Specialist of the Competition and Reward Department;

- Members of the Council: Directors of Departments (excluding permanent members of the Council), Directors of Bureaus, and Directors of Agencies representing the Ministry in Ho Chi Minh City;

- The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council in the education sector consists of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, and permanent members.

2.2. Competition and Reward Councils of Units

These are Competition and Reward Councils of provincial education and training departments, universities, colleges, and units directly under the Ministry of Education and Training (hereinafter referred to as Competition and Reward Councils of Units).

a) The Council for Encouragement and Awards of units shall be established by the Head of the unit and have the functions and responsibilities:

- Organizing and directing the competition movement within the unit to ensure that it develops in the right direction and is effective;

- Selecting collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in the competition movement of the unit, submitting to the People's Committee of the province (for departments of education and training, schools, and units under the People's Committee of the province) for consideration of awarding commendations and rewards according to the authority of the People's Committee of the province, submitting to the Minister for rewarding Merit Certificates of the Minister of Education, Competition Flags of the Ministry, and Commemorative Medals "For the Cause of Education," considering awards and rewards according to the authority of the Ministry; submitting to the Council for Encouragement and Awards of the Education Sector (submitting through the Central Steering Committee for Encouragement and Awards to the Prime Minister) for rewarding or submitting through the Central Steering Committee for Encouragement and Awards to the Prime Minister (submitting to the President) for rewarding for universities, colleges, schools, and units under the Ministry of Education and Training;

- Summarizing the competition movement of the unit and proposing to the Head of the unit on plans for organizing, launching, and directing the competition movement within the unit.

b) Composition of the Council for Encouragement and Awards of units:

- Chairman of the Council: Head of the unit;

- Vice-Chairman of the Council: Chairman of the Trade Union of the unit;

(If the number of members of the Council is 15 or more, there will be an additional Vice-Chairman of the Council who is a Deputy Head of the unit);

- Members are heads of departments (faculties, bureaus) or equivalent positions, representatives of party organizations and mass organizations (if any), and other members decided by the Head of the unit based on the principle that the total number of Council members must be odd;

- Member兼任秘书：负责单位竞赛和奖励工作的干部。

对于教育行政部门，直属机关的常设理事会由局长决定组成，包括主席、副主席、组织人事科长、办公室主任（行政综合科长）、监察长、计划财务科长以及负责竞赛和奖励工作的局干部。

2.3. The Council for Encouragement and Awards of the Ministry's Agency

a) The Council for Encouragement and Awards of the Ministry's Agency is established by the Minister of Education and Training, having the functions and responsibilities:

- Organizing and directing the competition movement within the Ministry of Education and Training, ensuring that it develops in the right direction and is effective;

- Selecting collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in the competition movement of the Ministry of Education and Training, submitting to the Minister for consideration of awarding commendations and rewards; submitting to the Council for Encouragement and Awards of the Education Sector for submission through the Central Steering Committee for Encouragement and Awards to the Prime Minister for rewarding or submitting through the Central Steering Committee for Encouragement and Awards to the President for rewarding;

- Summarizing the competition movement of the Ministry of Education and Training and proposing to the Leadership of the Ministry on plans for organizing, launching, and directing the competition movement within the Ministry of Education and Training.

b) Composition of the Council for Encouragement and Awards of the Ministry of Education and Training

- Chairman of the Council: Deputy Minister of Education and Training (responsible for encouragement and awards work);

- Vice-Chairman of the Council: Chairman of the Trade Union of the Ministry of Education and Training;

- Members of the Council: Department Heads, Bureau Chiefs, Chief Inspector, Chief of Office, Director - Deputy Head of the Office Representative of the Ministry of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City, and Head of the Encouragement and Awards Department.

- Secretary: Specialist of the Encouragement and Awards Department.

VI. COMPETITION AND AWARD FUNDS

1. Sources of funds for the formation of competition and award funds

a) The competition and award fund of the education sector is formed from state budget sources with a maximum amount equal to 15% of the total salary fund according to rank and grade of the number of cadres, workers, and civil servants within the establishment and approved annual wages, from contributions of individuals and organizations both domestically and internationally, and from other lawful revenue sources;

b) Annually, based on the state budget expenditure estimate assigned by the competent authority, based on the total salary fund according to rank and grade of the number of cadres, workers, and civil servants within the establishment and approved annual wages; based on the results of implementing the competition and award fund of the education sector in the previous year and the projected total award expenditure for the current year, the competition and award fund is established.

2. Use of the competition and award fund in the education sector

a) The competition and award fund of the education sector is used for expenditures as stipulated in Article 67 of Decree No. 121/2005/ND-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government and Circular No. 73/2006/TT-BTC dated August 15, 2006 of the Ministry of Finance guiding the establishment, management, and use of the competition and award fund specifically:

- Expenditure for printing commemorative medals "For the Cause of Education," certificates of merit, certificates of honor, medals, badges, flags of the Ministry of Education and Training, frames for certificates of honor according to contracts with production units;

- Expenditure for cash bonuses or mementos accompanying forms of reward for individuals and collectives awarded by authorized authorities. The level of cash bonus expenditure is implemented according to Articles 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, and Article 74, Section 3, Chapter V of Decree No. 121/2005/ND-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government;

- The competition and award fund of the education sector is settled annually according to Circular No. 73/2006/TT-BTC dated August 15, 2006 of the Ministry of Finance on guiding the establishment, management, and use of the competition and award fund.

b) Principles and forms of award expenditure:

- Cash bonuses accompanying commendation titles and forms of reward for collectives and individuals within the authority of the Minister of Education and Training to decide are drawn from the competition and award fund of the education sector and clearly stated in the award decision;

- For cases where collectives and individuals under schools and units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry of Education and Training are rewarded by the Prime Minister, the President, the Ministry of Education and Training will draw from the competition and award fund of the education sector to provide rewards.

- Entities and individuals falling under Objectives 1 and 2, upon receiving commendation decisions from the Minister of Education and Training or commendation decisions from the Prime Minister, President for schools, units under the Ministry, and units directly under the Ministry of Education and Training, must submit their unit's bank account to the Ministry of Education and Training Office to transfer the commendation funds to the unit.

- At the same time, for the same achievement, and the same recipient being commended with different titles and forms of commendation, they shall be entitled to receive the monetary award (or accompanying gifts) and commendation titles corresponding to the highest level of reward.

VII. HANDLING VIOLATIONS AND SETTLING COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS ON COMPETITION AND RECOGNITION

1. The handling of violations related to competition and recognition shall be carried out in accordance with Article 96 and Article 97 of the Law on Competition and Recognition and Articles 77 and 78 of Decree No. 121/2005/NĐ-CP dated September 30, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Recognition and the Law amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Recognition, specifically:

a) Heads of entities falling under Objectives 1 and 2 are responsible for the accuracy of the files and reports on achievements proposed for consideration for awards for their collective and individual units. If fraud is discovered in the declaration or reporting of achievements, the Minister of Education and Training will issue a decision to revoke the commendation decision, recover awarded items and money according to the authority of the Ministry or refer to the Prime Minister (through the Central Board of Competition and Recognition) to request the President to issue a decision to revoke the commendation decision and recover awarded items and money;

b) Individuals working in the education sector who are proposed for commendation are responsible for the accuracy of the declarations and reports on achievements proposed for consideration for awards at various levels. If fraud is discovered in the declaration or reporting of achievements to obtain commendation, the commendation decision will be revoked, awarded items and money recovered, and disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal prosecution may be imposed depending on the severity of the violation according to the law;

c) Individuals who falsely certify or forge documents for others to propose for commendation; those who abuse their positions or powers to grant commendations contrary to the law shall be subject to disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal prosecution according to the law depending on the nature and severity of the violation;

d) Individuals awarded State Honorary Titles such as Mother Heroic Vietnam, Labor Hero, People's Teacher, Excellent Teacher who violate the law and are sentenced to imprisonment by a court shall have their titles revoked;

2. The settlement of complaints and reports regarding competition and recognition shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 98 of the Law on Competition and Recognition, the Law on Complaints and Reports, and the implementing regulations of the Law on Complaints and Reports. Heads of entities falling under Objectives 1 and 2 are responsible for settling complaints and reports on competition and recognition in accordance with the law on complaints and reports.

VIII. IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

1. This Circular takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Previous regulations that conflict with this Circular are hereby abolished.

2. During the implementation process, if any issues arise or difficulties occur, heads of units directly under the Ministry, units under the Ministry, and educational institutions should promptly report to the Ministry of Education and Training (Ministry Office) for study and resolution.