Circular No. 22/2018/TT-BGDĐT guiding the work of competition and commendation in the Education sector

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Competition and Reward Work in the Education Sector

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Pursuant to the Law on Competition and Rewards dated November 26, 2003; the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards dated June 14, 2005 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards dated November 16, 2013;

Pursuant to Decree No. 69/2017/NĐ-CP dated May 25, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 91/2017/ND-CP dated July 31, 2017 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards;

Pursuant to Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BNV dated October 27, 2017 of the Ministry of Home Affairs detailing certain provisions of Decree No. 91/2017/ND-CP dated July 31, 2017 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Competition and Reward,

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular guiding competition and reward work in the education sector.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Circular guides competition and reward work in the education sector within the purview of the Minister of Education and Training, including: principles for competition and reward assessment; criteria for competition titles and rewards; decision-making authority; time for receiving applications; reward assessment procedures; Competition and Reward Councils; responsibility for award disbursement.

2. Competition and reward work in the education sector shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Circular and the provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards, Decree No. 91/2017/ND-CP dated July 31, 2017 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards, Circular No. 08/2017/TT-BNV dated October 27, 2017 of the Ministry of Home Affairs detailing certain provisions of Decree No. 91/2017/ND-CP dated July 31, 2017 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Competitors

a) Departments, Bureaus, Inspectors, Offices; units under the direct management of the Ministry serving state administrative functions; public service units under the Ministry; projects and Vietnam Education Publishing House (hereinafter referred to collectively as units under or directly under the Ministry of Education and Training);

b) Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University (hereinafter referred to as National Universities);

c) Early childhood education institutions, general education institutions, continuing education institutions, specialized schools;

d) Departments of Education and Training, District Education and Training Offices;

đ) Secondary teacher training colleges, higher teacher training colleges, higher education institutions directly under provincial people's committees, centrally governed cities (hereinafter referred to collectively as provincial institutions); higher education institutions directly under ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies (hereinafter referred to collectively as ministry institutions); private higher education institutions; other educational institutions belonging to the national education system;

e) Faculties, departments, offices and equivalent organizations under the units specified in point a, point b, and point đ of this clause;

g) Civil servants, public officials, employees including those in their probationary period or under contracts of one year or more in the agencies and units specified in point a, point b, point c, point d, and point đ of this clause;

h) Students at educational institutions of the national education system.

2. Recipients of rewards

a) Parties specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Vietnamese citizens studying abroad, education managers working abroad;

c) Organizations and individuals both inside and outside the country who have made significant contributions and support to the development of the education sector.

Article 3. Requirements for Competition and Award Consideration

1. Do not impose competition targets, ensuring the voluntary participation principle in competitions for collectives and individuals as prescribed.

2. The consideration for competition and award must be based on standards and achievements reached, tied to specific and practical evidence and products of collectives and individuals.

3. The evaluation and recognition of competition titles and the scope of influence of achievements must be consistent with the results of civil servant, public official, and employee assessment and classification. The number of civil servants, public officials, and employees proposed for recognition of the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" and Ministry-level awards must not exceed one-third of management staff.

4. Do not consider awards for collectives, individuals, heads, and deputy heads of those who manage collectives or individuals violating any of the following points: inaccurate declaration of achieved achievements; violation of teacher ethics, student ethics; violation of admission regulations, examination regulations, additional teaching, and learning; improper financial transactions affecting the educational environment of the unit, locality, or sector.

5. For the titles "Advanced Laborer," "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level," "Outstanding Labor Collective," "Competition Flag of the Ministry of Education and Training," "Competition Flag of the Government," Certificates of Merit from the Minister, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, Medals of various ranks; collectives and individuals proposed for award consideration must have a rate of agreement votes reaching 70% or more of the total number of members of the Competition and Award Council or the Standing Body of the Competition and Award Council.

Article 4. Certain Achievements Replacing the Standard for Ministry-Level and Grassroots-Level Innovative Ideas Applied to Individuals of Units Under and Affiliated with the Ministry of Education and Training, National University

1. Individuals achieving any of the following achievements shall replace the standard of having one innovative idea as the basis for granting the title of Model Worker at the Ministry level:

a) Participating in drafting normative legal documents that have been promulgated according to the assigned decision and confirmed by the competent authority regarding the result of participating in drafting the document;

b) Participating in compiling preschool education programs and materials; general education programs and textbooks that have been accepted and confirmed by the competent authority;

c) Being the main author of one specialized book used in teaching;

d) Being the main author of one course textbook or co-authoring two course textbooks used in teaching;

đ) Being the primary author of one scientific article published in an international specialized journal listed in the ISI or Scopus database;

e) Leading the national team in the International Olympiad and winning a third place or higher;

g) Being the primary author of an artistic work winning a third place or higher at national contests or performances.

2. Individuals achieving any of the following achievements shall replace the standard of one grassroots-level innovative idea as the basis for granting the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" and Certificate of Merit from the Minister of Education and Training:

a) Achieving any of the achievements stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Guiding one student research project that wins first place or higher at the university level;

c) Being the primary author of an artistic work selected to participate in national exhibitions, contests, or performances.

Article 5. The title "Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training"

1. The Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training shall be awarded annually at the end of each academic year or work year to the outstanding collective that leads the group or cluster of excellence, meeting the standards set forth in Article 26 of the Law on Competition and Commendation.

2. At the end of the academic year or work year, units specified in points a and b, Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular shall review, assess, and select one outstanding collective from departments, offices, bureaus, and equivalent units under their jurisdiction with excellent achievements and leading among such units, to propose to the Minister for awarding the Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training. Units with twenty or more departments, offices, bureaus, and equivalent units shall divide into two competition groups, teaching and service to teaching, and select two outstanding collectives leading each group to propose to the Minister for awarding the Flag of Excellence according to the annual commendation guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Training.

3. At the end of the academic year, the Department of Education and Training shall select one outstanding collective with excellent achievements and leading the competition movement initiated by the Ministry of Education and Training at each level of education and training, and one Department of Education and Training to propose to the Minister for awarding the Flag of Excellence.

Article 6. Medal "For the Cause of Education"

The Medal "For the Cause of Education" (Medal) is a form of commendation given once by the Minister of Education and Training to individuals within and outside the Education sector who meet one of the following criteria:

Clause 1. Individuals within the education sector

a) Having worked in the Education sector for twenty years or more, successfully completing assigned tasks;

b) Currently working in areas with particularly difficult economic and social conditions, or poor districts applying policies similar to those for particularly difficult economic and social areas, may be awarded earlier than the time stipulated in point a of this clause by five years;

c) Individuals currently working who were sent to study or perform military service, and then continue working in the Education sector, the period of study or military service shall be counted as working time in the Education sector for awarding the Medal;

d) Those who have completed the required working time as stipulated in point a of this clause but have been disciplined from reprimand to below dismissal, can only be considered for the Medal two years after the date of the decision to remove the disciplinary action. The disciplinary period will not be counted towards the awarding of the Medal;

e) Individuals who have retired under social insurance regulations, the commendation proposal file shall be reviewed and proposed for commendation by the personnel management agency before retirement; for individuals who have retired under social insurance regulations, if the unit is now dissolved or merged, the receiving unit shall be responsible for accepting the file, reviewing, and proposing commendation.

2. Individuals outside the Education sector: having held key leadership positions in the Party, government, and mass organizations for at least one term, making significant contributions to leadership and guidance, contributing to the development of the Education sector; or making significant contributions to building and financially supporting the development of the Education sector, confirmed by the Department of Education and Training and the beneficiary unit.

3. Individuals who are overseas Vietnamese or foreigners who have made positive contributions to the construction and development of the education and training cause of Vietnam, enhancing friendly relations and cooperation between Vietnamese Education and other countries and international organizations.

Article 7. Commendation by the Minister of Education and Training

1. The Commendation by the Minister of Education and Training shall be awarded to individuals who have good moral qualities, serve as exemplary models in implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Having at least two innovative solutions in education, teaching, scientific research, management, and unit administration that bring practical benefits recognized by the collective, or leading one scientific research project at the provincial level or higher which has been accepted and applied with significant effectiveness, confirmed by competent State management authorities in the relevant field;

b) Achieving outstanding results in study, training, experiential activities, entrepreneurship; proposing initiatives and solutions in scientific research and technology; overcoming difficulties to excel in studies; effectively participating in voluntary and charitable activities for the community, confirmed by competent authorities;

c) Being rated as having excellently fulfilled assigned tasks for at least two consecutive years, during which time two recognized and effectively implemented initiatives were proposed within the scope of the grassroots level or contributed significantly to the construction and development of the unit. This applies to individuals working in units under or affiliated with the Ministry of Education and Training and the National University;

d) Fulfilling assigned tasks well, not having received a Commendation from the Minister of Education and Training in the five years prior to retirement based on social insurance regulations. This applies to individuals working in units under or affiliated with the Ministry of Education and Training and the National University;

đ) Demonstrating noble actions, courageous acts of saving people and property of the people and the State, preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural disasters, enemy attacks, epidemics, and combating negative behaviors, law violations, and social evils, serving as role models and being recognized and honored by the unit and locality;

e) Making substantial contributions and providing effective support to the education sector, confirmed by competent authorities;

g) Other commendation cases decided by the Minister;

2. The Commendation by the Minister of Education and Training shall be awarded to collectives that serve as exemplary models in implementing Party guidelines, State policies and laws, maintain internal unity, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Achieving outstanding results in competition movements, creating a safe, healthy, friendly educational environment, encouraging many collectives and individuals to voluntarily participate in competitive innovation in teaching and learning;

b) Achieving outstanding and exceptional results in saving people and property of the people and the State, preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural disasters, enemy attacks, and epidemics in the unit and locality;

c) Excellently fulfilling assigned tasks for at least two consecutive years, recognized as an "Outstanding Labor Collective" by competent authorities, applicable to units under or affiliated with the Ministry of Education and Training and the National University;

d) Making substantial contributions and providing effective support to the education sector, confirmed by competent authorities;

đ) Other commendation cases decided by the Minister.

Article 8. Authority to Decide on Commendation Titles and Forms of Reward

1. Authority of the Minister of Education and Training

a) For units under, directly under the Ministry, National University

The Minister of Education and Training recognizes commendation titles within his authority; decides to present Certificates of Merit from the Minister; presents Commemorative Medals to individuals; submits for consideration and reward at the state level according to regulations; authorizes the Director of the National University, the Director of the Regional University, the General Director of the Vietnam Educational Publishing House to recognize the title "Outstanding Labor Collective" for collectives under their management;

b) For preschool, general education, continuing education institutions, special schools; schools under provinces, schools under the Ministry; private higher education institutions; other educational establishments under the national education system; provincial Departments of Education and Training, District Departments of Education and Training

The Minister of Education and Training decides to present the Flag of Excellence Competition of the Ministry of Education and Training to collectives with outstanding exemplary achievements leading the competition bloc; presents Certificates of Merit from the Minister to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in implementing the competition movement launched by the Ministry of Education and Training, achieving outstanding and sudden achievements; presents Commemorative Medals to individuals; agrees with rewards for collectives and individuals based on the proposal of the Central Competition and Reward Board.

2. Authority of the heads of units with legal personality under, directly under the Ministry of Education and Training, Regional Universities, National University, Vietnam Educational Publishing House

a) Recognize the titles "Advanced Worker", "Model Competitor at the Base Level", "Advanced Labor Collective" and present Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals under their management;

b) Submit to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration and decision to present "Flag of Excellence Competition of the Ministry of Education and Training", "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Ministry-Level Model Competitor", Certificates of Merit from the Minister, Commemorative Medals; submit for consideration and reward at the state level according to regulations.

3. Heads of provincial People's Committees, Ministries propose to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration and decision to reward collectives and individuals of schools under provincial and Ministry management.

4. The Director of the International Cooperation Department coordinates with the Director of the Competition and Reward Department to submit to the Minister for consideration and decision to reward Vietnamese citizens studying abroad, collectives and individuals of Vietnamese citizens abroad, and collectives and individuals of foreigners with outstanding exemplary achievements contributing to the education and training cause after seeking opinions from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and related agencies and units.

Article 9. Time for Receiving Applications

1. Applications for recognition of commendation titles and forms of Ministry-level rewards are submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training before August 30 each year for units evaluated annually (before January 30 each year for units evaluated annually based on work years).

2. Applications for recognition of commendation titles and forms of state-level rewards are submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training before October 15 each year for units evaluated annually and before February 28 each year for units evaluated annually based on work years.

3. Applications for sudden rewards: immediately after collectives and individuals achieve achievements, the head of the unit has the responsibility to submit to the Minister for consideration and decision to reward or for the Minister to submit to the competent authority for consideration and decision to reward.

4. Applications for consideration of Commemorative Medals: Report, accompanied by a list (Form 1) and summary of individual achievements (Forms 2, 3), submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training before May 15 each year.

Article 10. Procedure for Commendation and Award

1. Commendation Titles and Forms at the Ministry Level

a) For the title "Outstanding Labor Collective," the Ministry Flag, after receiving complete files, the Department of Commendation and Reward shall examine the files, appraise the achievement reports, seek opinions from related units, compile results, perfect the files, submit to the Minister for consideration and decision to recognize;

b) For the Minister's Certificate of Merit, Commemorative Medal, after receiving complete files, the Department of Commendation and Reward shall examine the files, appraise the achievement reports, submit to the Minister for consideration and decision;

c) For the title "Ministry-Level Model Worker," after receiving complete files, the Department of Commendation and Reward shall examine the files, appraise the achievement reports, submit to request the opinion of the Chairman of the Organizing Council before submitting to the Minister for consideration and decision to recognize;

2. Commendation Titles and Forms at the State Level

a) After receiving complete files, the Department of Commendation and Reward shall examine the files, appraise achievements, submit to request the opinion of the Chairman of the Council before reporting to request the opinion of the Council or the Standing Council of Commendation and Reward at the Ministry level; perfect the files, submit to the Minister for the Minister to submit to the competent authority for commendation and award decision;

b) The Party Cadre Board of the Ministry shall review and give opinions on the forms of commendation "Golden Star Order," "Ho Chi Minh Order," "Independence Order," National Honor Title, "National Model Worker" before the Minister submits to the competent authority for commendation and award decision.

Article 11. Commendation and Reward Councils of Units under the Ministry of Education and Training and the National University

1. The head of units under the Ministry of Education and Training and the National University with legal personality decides to establish the Commendation and Reward Council of the unit.

2. Composition of the Council

a) The Chairman of the Council is the head of the unit;

b) The Council has two Deputy Chairmen, including the Deputy Head of the unit and the Chairman of the Trade Union of the unit;

c) Members include representatives of the Party Committee, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, heads of relevant specialized departments, and one permanent member who serves as Secretary of the Council, being the head of the commendation and reward department or the person responsible for the commendation and reward work of the unit.

3. Principles of operation of the Council

a) The Council operates based on the principle of democratic centralism and votes according to the prescribed ratio. In case the opinions of Council members are equal, the decision is made by the Chairman of the Council;

b) Meetings of the Council are considered valid when at least 2/3 of the Council members attend. In case of absence, Council members must obtain the Chairman's consent and return their ballots;

4. Tasks and Authorities of the Council

a) Advise the head of the unit to implement the policies of the Party, State, and Ministry regarding commendation and reward work; launch and promote competition movements within the scope of authority;

b) Advise on building criteria and standards for commendation titles and rewards suitable to the functions and tasks of the unit; periodically evaluate the results of competition movements and commendation work of the unit; advise on the mid-term and final reviews of commendation and reward work; propose measures to promote patriotic competition movements each year and during each period, report to the competent authority;

c) Advise the head of the unit to decide to present commendation titles and reward forms within the scope of authority or submit to the competent authority for commendation.

Article 12. Tasks and Authorities of Organizations and Individuals in the Work of Encouragement and Commendation

1. The Minister of Education and Training shall take the lead and coordinate with the heads of political organizations, socio-political organizations, socio-professional organizations, and socio-professional organizations at the same level to launch and direct the implementation of competition movements throughout the entire education sector.

2. The Director of the Department of Encouragement and Commendation shall take the lead and coordinate with the heads of other Departments, Bureaus, Inspectors, Office to advise the Minister on policies, contents, programs, plans, measures for organizing, launching, and directing the implementation of competition movements within the education sector; guiding, urging, inspecting, summarizing, and concluding competition movements and commendation work; promoting exemplary models and good deeds; assisting the Board of Encouragement and Commendation of the Ministry in reviewing files and submitting them to the Minister for commendation decisions within their authority or recommending higher authorities for commendation consideration.

3. Heads of units specified in points a, b, d of Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular and Directors of provincial education and training departments shall be responsible for coordinating with relevant mass organizations at the same level to concretize the contents, criteria, and measures for organizing competition movements and inspecting their implementation; summarizing and concluding competition movements; identifying exemplary models and good deeds, innovations, and creativity in teaching and learning; promptly presenting outstanding collectives and individuals for the Minister's commendation consideration, with appropriate commendation forms corresponding to achievements, and proposing reforms in encouragement and commendation work.

4. Information agencies, press, and publishing entities under the Ministry of Education and Training; provincial education and training departments; educational institutions shall be responsible for regularly publicizing encouragement and commendation work; highlighting exemplary models and good deeds; combating behaviors chasing after achievements and violations of laws related to encouragement and commendation.

5. Collectives and individuals proposed for consideration of commendation titles and forms of commendation must fully and promptly comply with regulations regarding file preparation, procedures, and deadlines for submitting files according to this Circular and relevant laws, and bear responsibility for the accuracy of the files.

6. For commendation titles and forms of commendation within the authority of the Minister of Education and Training, the submitting unit must publicly post the list of collectives and individuals proposed for commendation on the unit's electronic portal or communication means at least seven working days before submitting the file to the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 13. Responsibility for Award Payments

The Ministry of Education and Training shall be responsible for award payments to

1. Collectives and individuals under or directly subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Training who have been nationally commended.

2. Collectives and individuals receiving salaries from the Ministry of Education and Training's agency who have been recognized with commendation titles and awards by the Minister.

3. Collectives and individuals commended by the Minister of Education and Training for outstanding and sudden achievements. Other cases shall be considered and decided by the Minister.

Article 14. This Circular takes effect from October 14, 2018, replacing Circular No. 35/2015/TT-BGDĐT dated December 31, 2015, issued by the Minister of Education and Training guiding encouragement and commendation work in the education sector; Decision No. 26/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on the issuance of the Commemorative Medal "For the Education Cause"; and Decision No. 27/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on the regulation for granting the Commemorative Medal "For the Education Cause", all of which become invalid upon the effectiveness of this Circular.

Article 15. The Head of the Office, the Director of the Department of Encouragement and Commendation, the Heads of units under the Ministry of Education and Training; Provincial Education and Training Directors; University Presidents; College of Education Presidents; Secondary Teacher Training School Presidents; and related organizations, units, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.