Circular No. 21/2014/TT-BGDĐT on the management and use of reference publications in preschool education institutions, general education institutions, and continuing education institutions.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the management and use of reference publications Industry and

in preschool education institutions,general education institutions and continuing education institutions

 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. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law; Decree No. 31/2011/NĐ-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law; Decree No. 07/2013/NĐ-CP dated January 9, 2013 of the Government amending Point b Clause 13 Article 1 of Decree No. 31/2011/NĐ-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 75/2006/NĐ-CP dated August 2, 2006 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law;

At the proposal of the Director of the General Department of Educational Infrastructure and School Equipment, Children's Toys;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular on the management and use of reference publications in preschool education institutions, general education institutions and continuing education institutions,

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular stipulates the management and use of reference publications in preschool education institutions, general education institutions and continuing education institutions (hereinafter referred to collectively as educational institutions), including: Requirements for reference publications; selection of reference publications; responsibilities of teachers and education managers at all levels in selecting, managing, and using reference publications; responsibilities of departments of education and training, district-level education and training offices in directing, guiding, inspecting, and supervising.

2. This Circular applies to teachers, education managers at all levels, educational institutions, and related organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Reference Publications

Reference publications as defined in this Circular are those legally published and distributed in various languages, in audio form, in images, and presented in the following formats: printed books, braille books, pictures, photographs, maps, audio recordings, video recordings with content compiled in accordance with educational objectives; preschool education programs; general education and continuing education programs and textbooks; aimed at reviewing, consolidating, supplementing, and enhancing knowledge; training skills and developing personality for students, trainees, and teachers.

Article 3. Requirements for reference publications used in educational institutions

Reference publications selected for use in educational institutions must meet the following requirements:

1. Consistent with the educational objectives and content of the programs issued by the Ministry of Education and Training for each grade level.

2. Ensure scientific accuracy, pedagogical value, and aesthetic appeal.

3. Suitable for the age characteristics of the users; not contrary to Vietnamese culture, history, geography, ethics, and customs; consistent with international integration trends.

4. Have an educational effect in fostering patriotism and national pride; ensure political security, social order, and national sovereignty.

5. Not violate any legal provisions.

Article 4. Selection of reference publications for common use in educational institutions

1. Subject groups, based on educational goals, curriculum content, textbooks, annual task implementation plans, educational activities, and teacher recommendations, shall select and propose a minimum list of related reference publications for each subject/classroom and educational activity.

2. At the beginning of each academic year, the head of the educational institution shall establish a Council to review, select, and propose a list of reference publications based on the recommendations of the subject groups. The minimum membership of the Council includes: the educational institution's leadership responsible for specialized matters, subject group leaders, and library staff within the educational institution.

3. The head of the educational institution shall approve the minimum list of reference publications for procurement and annual use within the institution based on the Council's recommendation, budget allocation, scale of the institution, and the quantity and quality of existing reference publications at the institution.

Article 5. Responsibilities of teachers and educational management personnel at all levels

1. Teachers have the responsibility to provide complete information, accurate, objective, and reliable recommendations to the educational institution to enable the selection of high-quality reference publications that can be effectively utilized during teaching and research; they must promptly report to educational institution management personnel about reference publications that do not comply with the provisions of this Circular.

2. Teachers may not use content exceeding the knowledge and skill standards of the curriculum and textbooks in reference publications to assess students' learning outcomes during instruction.

3. Teachers and educational management personnel at educational institutions are responsible for providing complete and accurate information about the selected list of reference publications to students, trainees, and their parents.

4. Teachers and educational management personnel at all levels may not abuse their positions to compel or encourage students, trainees, or their parents to purchase reference publications in any form.

Article 6. Responsibilities of heads of educational institutions

1. Establish detailed regulations regarding the selection, procurement, management, and use of reference publications and bear responsibility for the content and list of circulating reference publications within the institution as stipulated in Articles 3 and 4 of this Circular.

2. Take proactive measures to prevent reference publications that do not comply with the provisions of Article 3 of this Circular from entering the institution.

3. Report to the direct superior administrative body about the selected and annually used list of reference publications; simultaneously, summarize, evaluate effectiveness, and adjust the selection of the list of reference publications in accordance with the institution's educational activity plan and local economic conditions.

4. Announce to staff, teachers, students, and trainees about the minimum list and quantity of selected and used reference publications; organize counseling for students, trainees, and their parents in selecting and purchasing reference publications according to individual needs.

5. Cease the use of reference publications containing errors, not aligning with educational objectives, curricula, and textbooks, or showing signs of legal violations at the institution; report to the competent authority to take timely action.

Article 7. Responsibilities of Departments of Education and Training, District Education and Training Offices

1. Direct, guide, inspect, and supervise the implementation of the contents stipulated in this Circular for educational institutions, organizations, and individuals within their jurisdiction.

2. Suspend the use of reference publications containing errors, not in line with educational objectives, curricula, textbooks, or showing signs of violating the law at educational institutions; report to competent authorities to take timely measures.

3. Handle according to their authority those educational institutions, organizations, and individuals who violate the provisions of this Circular in accordance with current laws.

Article 8. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from August 20, 2014.

2. The Head of the Office; the Director of the School Infrastructure and Educational Equipment and Children's Toys Department; the Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; the Directors of Departments of Education and Training; the Heads of District Education and Training Offices of provinces and centrally governed cities; the Heads of educational institutions are responsible for implementing this Circular./.