Circular No. 29/2023/TT-BGDĐT detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards for the Education Sector

CIRCULAR

Detailed Implementation of Certain Provisions of the Law on Encouragement and Reward

for the Education Sector

___________

Pursuant to the Law on Encouragement and Reward dated June 15, 2022;

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2022/NĐ-CP dated October 24, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

At the proposal of the Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department;

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Rewards for the Education Sector.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular details the implementation of Clause 4 Article 24, Clause 3 Article 26, Clause 3 Article 27, Clause 3 Article 28, Clause 3 Article 32, Clause 2 Article 71, Clause 6 Article 74, Clause 2 Article 75, Clause 3 and Clause 4 Article 76, and Clause 6 Article 84 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. This Circular applies to collectives, civil servants, public officials, employees, workers in the Education Sector; students; collectives, households, individuals of Vietnamese nationality, Vietnamese nationals residing abroad; collectives and foreigners who have made contributions to the construction and development of education and training; organizations and individuals related to competition and reward work in the Education Sector.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Units under the Ministry of Education and Training include departments, bureaus, Inspectorate, offices (hereinafter referred to as units under the Ministry).

2. Units directly under the Ministry of Education and Training include public service units directly under the Ministry of Education and Training; management boards, project, program, and plan management boards under the Ministry of Education and Training and the Vietnam Educational Publishing House (hereinafter referred to as units directly under the Ministry).

3. Units under national universities include offices, functional boards, member units, and units directly under national universities (hereinafter referred to as units under national universities).

4. Collectives of units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, units under national universities, higher education institutions, and teacher training colleges are eligible for consideration for awarding competition and reward titles including departments, rooms, boards, and equivalent organizations and above. Collectives of remaining educational institutions are eligible for consideration for awarding competition and reward titles including professional teams and equivalent organizations and above with party and mass organizations.

5. Student collectives include classes and student groups.

Article 3. The title "Advanced Worker"

1. The title "Advanced Worker" is awarded annually at the end of the academic year or working period to individuals of units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, national universities, and those meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 Article 24 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. In cases where individuals are transferred or seconded to other agencies, organizations, or units for a specific period, the awarding of the title "Advanced Worker" shall be considered and decided by the agency, organization, or unit that transferred or seconded the individual, and confirmed by the receiving agency, organization, or unit. For seconded officers of the Vietnam People's Army and the Vietnam People's Public Security, regulations of relevant laws shall apply.

3. The Minister of Education and Training decides to recognize the title "Advanced Worker" for Deputy Ministers and civil servants of units without legal personality under the Ministry.

4. Heads of units with legal personality under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and directors of national universities decide to award the title "Advanced Worker" to individuals under their direct management.

Article 4. Title "Competition Flag of the Ministry of Education and Training"

1. The title "Competition Flag of the Ministry of Education and Training" is awarded to collectives meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 Article 26 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. The recipients of the title "Competition Flag of the Ministry of Education and Training" are leading collectives in competition movements organized by the Ministry of Education and Training, including:

a) Units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and units under national universities;

b) Collectives specified in Clause 4 Article 2 of this Circular of units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and units under national universities;

c) Departments of Education and Training of provinces and centrally-administered cities;

d) Other units belonging to competition clusters organized by the Ministry of Education and Training according to regulations.

Article 5. The title "Excellent Labor Collective"

1. The title "Excellent Labor Collective" is awarded annually at the end of the academic year or working period to collectives meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 Article 27 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. Recipients of the title "Excellent Labor Collective" include:

a) Units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and units under national universities;

b) Collectives specified in Clause 4 Article 2 of this Circular of units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and units under national universities.

Article 6. The title "Advanced Labor Collective"

1. The title "Advanced Labor Collective" is awarded annually at the end of the academic year or working period to collectives meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 Article 28 of the Law on Competition and Rewards.

2. Recipients of the title "Advanced Labor Collective" include:

a) Units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and units under national universities;

b) Collectives specified in Clause 4 Article 2 of this Circular of units under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and units under national universities.

3. The Minister of Education and Training decides to award the title "Advanced Labor Collective" to units under the Ministry and units directly under the Ministry.

4. Heads of units with legal personality under the Ministry, units directly under the Ministry, and directors of national universities decide to award the title "Advanced Labor Collective" to collectives within their management authority as specified in Clause 4 Article 2 of this Circular.

Article 7. The title "Flag of Excellence of the National University"

Clause 1. The Flag of Excellence of the National University shall be awarded annually to the outstanding collective that leads the competition movement within the university system and meets the following criteria:

Point a) Completing the assigned program, plan, and tasks for the year with excellence; having new factors and models for other units in the National University to emulate. If it is a production or business unit, it must comply with legal regulations, fulfill obligations towards the State and the National University;

Point b) Internal unity; actively practicing thrift, combating waste, corruption, negative practices, and other social evils;

Point c) Party organizations and mass organizations being rated as having satisfactorily fulfilled their tasks or better.

Clause 2. The Flag of Excellence of the National University shall be awarded to the outstanding collective leading the competition movement on specific themes organized by the National University for at least three years upon completion of the competition movement; the target and criteria for awarding are specifically defined by the National University for each competition movement.

Clause 3. The number of Flags of Excellence to be awarded to collectives within the National University shall be determined by the Director of the National University but not exceeding 20% of the total number of leading collectives in the competition movements organized by the National University.

Clause 4. The National University shall not award the Flag of Excellence of the National University to collectives that have already been awarded the Flag of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training for the same achievements.

Article 8. Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education"

The Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" (hereinafter referred to as the Commemorative Medal) is a form of recognition granted by the Minister of Education and Training to individuals, both within and outside the education sector, who meet one of the following criteria:

Clause 1. Individuals within the education sector

Point a) Educators and educational management staff at educational institutions and educational administrative agencies (including civil servants, public officials, and specialized staff engaged in educational management at ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, government agencies, central departments, agencies, and organizations) who have worked in the education sector for twenty years or more. In cases where individuals currently working are sent to study or perform military service and then continue working in the education sector, the time spent studying or performing military service shall be counted as work experience in the education sector for the purpose of awarding the Commemorative Medal. Time under disciplinary action shall not be counted for the purpose of awarding the Commemorative Medal;

Point b) Individuals currently working for five years or more in areas with particularly difficult economic and social conditions as stipulated by

Clause 2. Individuals outside the education sector

Point a) Having held leadership positions for five years or more, making significant contributions to the leadership and guidance of the education sector's development;

Point b) Making significant contributions to the formulation of policies, organizing effective activities for the development of the education sector, or financially supporting the development of the education sector, confirmed by the beneficiary unit;

Point c) Individuals of Vietnamese origin residing abroad, Vietnamese working for foreign organizations in Vietnam, and 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 international countries and organizations.

Article 9. Commendation Award of the Minister of Education and Training

1. The Commendation Award of the Minister of Education and Training shall be presented or posthumously awarded to individuals who serve as exemplary models in complying with the Party's guidelines, State policies, and laws, meeting one of the following criteria:

a) Demonstrating outstanding achievements recognized during mid-term or final reviews of competitive campaigns organized by

b) Achieving numerous accomplishments or outstanding and sudden achievements in one of the fields under the management of the Ministry of Education and Training, or displaying noble actions, courageous acts to save people and property of the State and the public, preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural disasters, enemy attacks, epidemics, combating negative behaviors, law violations, and social evils, having a demonstrative effect and being acknowledged and honored by units and localities;

c) Making significant and outstanding contributions to the development of education and training, having substantial social significance, providing practical and effective support to the educational sector, confirmed by the beneficiary unit and the direct managing authority of the beneficiary unit;

d) Having worked at the unit for five years or more, achieving outstanding results and contributing to the development of the unit, recognized on the occasion of celebrating the anniversary (full year);

đ) Individuals working at units under the Ministry, directly subordinate units, and national universities who have been consecutively awarded the title of "Model Worker" twice or have been recognized as completing tasks excellently for two consecutive years, during which time they have had two recognized and effectively applied initiatives within the institution or have had two scientific topics, scientific projects, scientific works, and technological projects that have been accepted and effectively implemented within the institution;

e) Individuals working at units under the Ministry, directly subordinate units, and national universities who have successfully completed assigned tasks for five years before retirement according to social insurance regulations, without having previously received a Commendation Award from the Minister of Education and Training.

2. The Commendation Award of the Minister of Education and Training shall be presented to exemplary groups that comply well with the Party's guidelines, State policies, and laws, maintaining internal unity, meeting one of the following criteria:

a) Meeting the standards as stipulated in point a, Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Achieving outstanding and sudden accomplishments in one of the fields under the management of the Ministry of Education and Training, or demonstrating outstanding performance in saving people and property of the State and the public, preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural disasters, enemy attacks, and epidemics within the unit and locality;

c) Providing significant and effective support to the educational sector, confirmed by the beneficiary unit;

d) Achieving outstanding results during the process of establishment and development, recognized on the occasion of celebrating the anniversary (full year);

đ) Groups specified in Clause 4 of Article 2 of this Circular of units under the Ministry, directly subordinate units, and units under national universities that have been recognized as completing tasks excellently for two consecutive years, implementing grassroots democracy well, organizing competitive campaigns effectively; caring for the material and spiritual lives of group members; practicing thrift and opposing waste; preventing and combating corruption and negative practices.

3. The Commendation Award of the Minister of Education and Training shall be presented to exemplary families that comply well with the Party's guidelines, State policies, and laws, making significant contributions in terms of labor, land, and assets to the educational sector, confirmed by the beneficiary unit.

4. Other cases not falling under the categories specified in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article shall be considered and decided upon by the Minister of Education and Training based on recommendations from the Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 10. Commendation Certificate of the National University President

1. The Commendation Certificate of the National University President shall be awarded to individuals who serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Achieving outstanding results recognized in competitive movements initiated by the National University President;

b) Making significant achievements with wide-ranging influence in one of the fields under the National University or performing noble acts such as saving lives and property, preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural disasters, epidemics, combating negative behaviors, law violations, and social evils, thereby setting a good example and being acknowledged and honored by units or localities;

c) Demonstrating outstanding performance in studies, training, scientific research; overcoming difficulties to achieve academic excellence; actively participating in voluntary activities for the community, confirmed by competent authorities;

d) Providing substantial and effective support contributing to the development of the National University.

2. The Commendation Certificate of the National University President shall be awarded to groups that serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws, and meet one of the criteria specified in points a, b, and d of Clause 1 of this Article.

3. Other cases not covered by the provisions of Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article shall be considered and decided by the National University President based on the proposal of the Standing Committee of the National University's Competition and Commendation Council.

4. The National University President shall not award the Commendation Certificate of the National University President to groups or individuals who have already been awarded a Commendation Certificate by the Minister of Education and Training for the same achievement.

Article 11. Certificate of Merit of the Head of a Legal Entity Unit

1. The Certificate of Merit of the Head of a Legal Entity Unit under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, the National University, the Department of Education and Training, the Rector, Director, or equivalent of an educational institution shall be awarded to individuals or groups that serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws, and demonstrate outstanding performance in the unit's activities, in competitive movements, examinations, contests initiated by Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, provincial People's Committees, Departments of Education and Training, and organizations.

2. The Certificate of Merit of the Rector, Director, or equivalent of an educational institution shall be awarded to students with good moral character who serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, State laws, school regulations, and fulfill their student duties; awarded to student groups that serve as exemplary models in implementing the Party's guidelines and policies, school regulations, and meet one of the following criteria:

a) Achieving notable results in educational contents as stipulated in school charter documents, student evaluation regulations, and student affairs rules;

b) Achieving outstanding results in competitive movements organized by the educational institution;

c) Achieving outstanding and sudden results with exemplary significance within the educational institution;

d) Winning awards in examinations, contests, and competitions organized by the educational institution.

Article 12. Authority to Propose for Awarding Merit Titles and Forms of Reward

1. The head of a unit without legal personality under the Ministry shall submit to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding the titles "Advanced Labor Collective", "Advanced Laborer", and "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level".

2. The head of a unit under the Ministry, a unit directly under the Ministry

a) Shall submit to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding the titles "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training", "Ministry-Level Model Worker", Certificate of Merit from the Minister, and Commemorative Medal;

b) Shall submit to the Minister of Education and Training for examination and submission to the competent authority for examination and awarding national-level rewards as prescribed.

3. The Rector of the National University shall submit to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding the titles "Outstanding Labor Collective", "Flag of Excellence from the Ministry of Education and Training", "Ministry-Level Model Worker", Certificate of Merit from the Minister, and Commemorative Medal for collectives and individuals under their management.

4. The Director of the Department of Education and Training

a) Shall submit to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding Certificates of Merit for collectives and individuals of educational institutions within the scope of management of the Department of Education and Training and the District Education and Training Office (excluding commendations for outstanding achievements);

b) Shall submit to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding Commemorative Medals for individuals of educational institutions within the scope of management of the Department of Education and Training and the District Education and Training Office.

5. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the Province

a) Shall propose to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding Certificates of Merit for collectives and individuals of educational institutions within the scope of management, private higher education institutions, enterprises, and organizations that have made significant contributions to the development of education in the province and city and in the field of education;

b) Shall propose to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding Commemorative Medals for individuals of educational institutions within the scope of management, private higher education institutions;

c) Shall propose to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding Commemorative Medals for individuals outside the field of education who have contributed to the cause of education and training in the province and city and in the field of education.

6. The head of a ministry, agency, or sector

a) Shall propose to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding Certificates of Merit from the Minister for collectives and individuals under their management and higher education institutions directly under ministries, agencies with ministerial status, government agencies, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy, political-social organizations, and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics;

b) Shall propose to the Minister of Education and Training for awarding Commemorative Medals for individuals as stipulated in Article 8 of this Circular.

Article 13. Documents for Proposing for Awarding Merit Titles and Forms of Reward

1. The components of the documents for proposing for awarding merit titles and forms of reward shall be in accordance with the Law on Encouragement and Reward and the regulations of the Government.

2. The documents for proposing for awarding merit titles and forms of reward at the ministry level shall be prepared in one set (original); simultaneously, the reward documents shall be sent electronically (in Word and PDF formats) to the Personnel Organization Department of the Ministry of Education and Training (except for documents containing state secrets).

Documents for proposing for awarding Commemorative Medals as stipulated in the Appendix attached to this Circular shall be sent to the Personnel Organization Department of the Ministry of Education and Training.

3. Documents for proposing for awarding merit titles and forms of reward at the ministry level shall be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training before January 31 each year, and national-level documents shall be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training before March 31 each year (except for documents proposing rewards based on competition clusters or groups).

Documents for proposing for immediate rewards: Immediately after the collective or individual achieves outstanding results, the head of the unit shall be responsible for submitting to the Minister of Education and Training for examination and decision on rewarding or submitting to the Minister of Education and Training for examination and submission to the competent authority for examination and decision on rewarding.

Documents for proposing for rewards based on mass movements, special topics, examinations, contests, competitions, and establishment anniversaries: Immediately after the summary or final evaluation of mass movements, special topics, examinations, contests, and competitions, and during the establishment anniversary, the head of the unit shall select collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements, submit to the Minister of Education and Training for examination and decision on rewarding or submitting to the Minister of Education and Training for examination and submission to the competent authority for examination and decision on rewarding.

Article 14. Tasks and Authorities of Organizations and Individuals in the Work of Encouragement and Commendation

1. The Cadre and Civil Service Department of the Ministry of Education and Training is the permanent body of the Ministry of Education and Training's Encouragement and Commendation Council, responsible for advising on encouragement and commendation work; advising the Minister to launch competitive movements; developing programs, plans, measures for organizing and content of competitive movements within the education sector; guiding, urging, inspecting, summarizing, and concluding competitive movements, encouragement and commendation work; promoting exemplary models and good deeds within the sector; reviewing files and submitting them to the Minister of Education and Training for commendation decisions within their authority or referring to competent authorities for commendation.

2. The International Cooperation Department is responsible for compiling files for commendation of collectives and individuals of overseas Vietnamese, Vietnamese working for foreign organizations in Vietnam, and outstanding foreign collectives and individuals who have made significant contributions to the education and training cause; implementing requests for opinions from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and related agencies; transferring files to the Cadre and Civil Service Department for review and submission to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration and decision.

3. Heads of units under the Ministry, subordinate units, directors of provincial education and training departments, principals, directors, or equivalent of educational institutions are responsible for coordinating with peer-level mass organizations to concretize the content, criteria, and methods of organizing competitive movements and inspecting their implementation; summarizing and concluding competitive movements; promoting exemplary models; identifying collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements contributing to the education and training cause, promptly and appropriately recommending them to the Minister of Education and Training for commendation; proposing reforms in encouragement and commendation work.

4. Information, press, and publishing agencies under the Ministry of Education and Training, provincial education and training departments, and educational institutions are responsible for continuously publicizing the Party's policies and State laws on encouragement and commendation work; actively participating in identifying collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements contributing to the education sector; disseminating and showcasing exemplary models and good deeds; combating behaviors chasing after achievements and violations of laws on encouragement and commendation.

5. Collectives and individuals proposed for awarding commendation titles and forms must fully and timely comply with regulations on file requirements, procedures, and deadlines for submitting nomination files according to this Circular and relevant laws, and bear responsibility for the accuracy of the files.

6. Those authorized to propose and submit for consideration commendation titles and forms (except in cases of proposing the "For the Cause of Education" Commemorative Medal, special commendations, and simple procedure commendations) are responsible for publicly listing individuals and collectives on the website of their agency or unit at least seven working days before convening the Encouragement and Commendation Council meeting. The results of the public announcement (including complaints and reports if any) must be reported in writing to the Encouragement and Commendation Council of the unit proposing commendation before submitting to higher authorities and included in the commendation examination record of the proposing unit.

Article 15. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Implementation

1. This Circular shall take effect from February 15, 2024, and replace Circular No. 21/2020/TT-BGDĐT dated July 31, 2020, issued by the Minister of Education and Training guiding the work of competition and commendation in the education sector.

2. In cases where the legal normative documents cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the provisions of the amended, supplemented, or replacing legal normative documents.

3. The ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies; provincial people's committees under central cities; Director of the Office, Heads of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, heads of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry; directors of departments of education and training; directors of national universities, university directors, academy directors; rectors of universities, rectors of teacher training colleges, and related organizations, units, and individuals have the responsibility to implement this Circular.