Decision No. 32/2005/QD-BGD&DT on the issuance of the Regulation on recognizing primary schools meeting national standards

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the issuance of the Regulation on recognizing primary schools meeting national standards

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MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Pursuant to Decree No. 86/2002/NĐ-CP dated November 5, 2002 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 85/2003/ND-CP dated July 18, 2003 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No. 166/2004/ND-CP dated September 16, 2004 of the Government stipulating responsibilities for state management of education;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Primary Education Department,

DECISION:

Article 1. This Decision promulgates the Regulation on recognizing primary schools meeting national standards.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette. This Decision replaces Decision No. 1366/GD-ĐT dated April 26, 1997 of the Minister of Education and Training on the issuance of the Regulation on recognizing primary schools meeting national standards for the period 1996-2000.

Article 3. The Heads of the Office, Directors of the Primary Education Department, Heads of units related to the Ministry of Education and Training, Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, and Directors of Departments of Education and Training shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.

 

REGULATIONS

Regulation on Recognizing Primary Schools Meeting National Standards

(Issued together with Decision No. 32/2005/QD-BGD&ĐT dated October 24, 2005 of the Minister of Education and Training)

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 PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Regulation sets forth the criteria, inspection procedures, and recognition process for primary schools meeting national standards.

Article 2. This Regulation applies to all types of primary schools.

Article 2. Levels of Recognition

Primary schools meeting national standards are divided into two levels: Level 1 and Level 2.

Point 1. Level 1 specifies the necessary criteria for primary schools meeting national standards to ensure comprehensive quality educational activities.

Point 2. Level 2 specifies the necessary criteria for primary schools meeting national standards to ensure higher-quality comprehensive educational activities, laying the groundwork for approaching the development level of primary schools in advanced countries in the region and worldwide.

Article 3. Principles

Point 1. A primary school proposed for inspection and recognition must have independent facilities, include all grades of the primary level, and have received the title of advanced primary school in the previous academic year.

Point 2. If a primary school meets the criteria set out in Chapter II of this Regulation, it has the right to request competent authorities to inspect, review, and recognize it at the corresponding level. Schools that fail to meet the criteria upon inspection must continue to strive to meet them and can only be re-inspected in the following academic year.

Point 3. The criteria for primary schools meeting national standards are mandatory requirements with equal value for inspection, review, and recognition. These criteria serve as the basis for local authorities at all levels to develop investment plans for primary education.

Article 4. Duration of Recognition

The duration of recognition for primary schools meeting national standards is five years from the date of signing the recognition decision. During this period, if a recognized school fails to meet the criteria, it may be reviewed based on the nature and severity of the violation, and either continued recognition or non-recognition may be considered.

Five years after the signing of the recognition decision, schools must self-assess and submit files to the competent authorities for re-inspection and recognition.

Chapter II
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS MEETING NATIONAL STANDARDS

Section 1
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS MEETING NATIONAL STANDARDS LEVEL 1

Article 5. Organization and Management

1. Management Work

a) The school establishes annual, semester, monthly, and weekly activity plans; sets development directions for each period; and implements measures to ensure plan execution according to schedule.

b) The principal, deputy principals, and heads of specialized and administrative units manage teachers' and staff members' work and administrative tasks in accordance with the Elementary School Charter and the Civil Servants Ordinance.

c) Manage and utilize material resources effectively to serve teaching activities and other educational activities.

d) Maintain complete and systematic records and files to support the school's management work.

e) Implement financial management in compliance with regulations.

g) There shall be no teacher, cadre, or staff member subject to disciplinary action at or above the warning level.

2. Principal and Deputy Principals

a) Principal

- Holds a minimum education level from a secondary teacher training institution or higher.

- Has at least five years of teaching experience (excluding probationary period).

- Has been trained in political ideology and school management skills.

- Possesses good moral character and firm ideological stance.

- Has professional expertise.

- Has school management capabilities.

- Is in good health.

- Effectively fulfills the duties of an elementary school principal.

b) Deputy Principal

- Holds a minimum education level from a secondary teacher training institution or higher.

- Has at least three years of teaching experience (excluding probationary period).

- Has been trained in political ideology and school management skills.

- Possesses good moral character and firm ideological stance.

- Possesses professional expertise.

- Has school management capabilities.

- Is in good health.

- Effectively fulfills the duties of an elementary school deputy principal.

3. Organizations, Associations, and Councils within the School

a) Organizations, associations, and councils within the school operate efficiently.

b) Effectively implement democratic regulations in the school's operations.

4. Compliance with Party Leadership and Local Government Administration

a) The school implements Party directives and resolutions related to elementary education, adheres to local government administrative management, and proactively advises the Party committee and local government on specific leadership measures for the school's activities according to elementary education goals and plans.

b) The school follows direct professional guidance from the Department of Education and Training, promptly reporting local elementary education conditions to the Department of Education and Training.

Article 6. Teaching Staff

1. Quantity and Educational Qualifications

a) Ensures sufficient quantity and types of teachers as stipulated by current regulations.

b) Ensures all required subjects are taught at the elementary level.

c) At least 90% of teachers meet the standard educational qualifications, with at least 20% exceeding these standards.

d) Physical education, music, art, foreign language, and computer science teachers who have not undergone elementary teacher training must receive training and obtain elementary teacher certification.

2. Moral Character, Professional Ethics, and Expertise

a) All teachers possess good moral character and professional ethics, and are responsible towards students.

b) At least 20% of teachers achieve county-level (district, city) excellence awards or higher.

c) At least 50% of teachers achieve school-level excellence awards.

d) There shall be no teachers lacking in professional expertise or skills.

3. Professional Activities

a) Specialized units organize activities as prescribed.

b) The school regularly organizes professional exchange activities, thematic seminars, field trips to learn from other schools, and provides detailed reports evaluating each activity.

4. Training and Development Plan

a) Develops plans to build and train the teaching staff so that all teachers meet or exceed educational qualification standards.

b) Strictly implements regular training programs and summer training programs as directed by the Ministry.

c) Each teacher has a personal development plan to enhance their professional expertise and skills.

Article 7. School Physical Facilities and Equipment

1. Campus, Playgrounds, and Training Grounds

a) The campus area of schools must comply with the hygiene standards for schools issued by the Ministry of Health pursuant to Decision No. 1221/2000/QĐ-BYT dated April 18, 2000 of the Minister of Health: not less than 6m² per student in urban and town areas; not less than 10m² per student in other regions.²/1 student for urban and town areas; not less than 10m²/1 student for the remaining areas.

For schools located in urban and town areas and market towns that were constructed before 1997, due to special difficult conditions, the calculation of the campus area may be based on the usable floor area, provided that it meets the above requirements; there must be a multi-purpose hall that ensures regular and effective training for students; at least one session per month should be organized for students to learn outside the classroom.

b) The playground and sports field (or multi-purpose hall) must be arranged and constructed according to regulations; the school yard must have shade trees and grass.

2. Classrooms

a) The school has a maximum of 30 classes, each class having a maximum of 35 students.

b) There must be sufficient classrooms for each class.

The average classroom area must not be less than 1m² per student.

3. Library

There must be a library meeting the standard set forth in the primary school library standards issued by Decision No. 01/2003/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated January 2, 2003 and Decision No. 01/2004/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated January 29, 2004 of the Minister of Education and Training.

4. Functional Rooms

There must be functional rooms such as the Principal's Office, Vice-Principal's Office, Teachers' Room, Team Activities Room, Art Education Room, School Health Room, Educational Equipment Room, and Permanent Office.

5. Educational Equipment and Facilities

a) In the classrooms, there must be sufficient desks and chairs for teachers and students, equipped with ventilation systems. Desks, chairs, blackboards, lecterns, lighting systems, and classroom decorations must meet the specifications.

b) The school must be fully equipped with educational facilities as specified in the minimum list prescribed by the Ministry.

6. Sanitation Conditions

a) Ensure green, clean, beautiful, quiet, ventilated, and convenient conditions for students to study.

b) Meet sanitation requirements: the school must have clean water sources, separate sanitary facilities for staff and students, male and female sections, parking areas, drainage systems, surrounding walls or green hedges, no stalls or residences within the school premises, and a clean and beautiful environment around the school.

Article 8. Implementation of Socialization in Education

1. Grassroots Education Congresses, Grassroots Education Councils, Parent-Teacher Associations

a) The school collaborates with the community to organize grassroots education congresses regularly with practical content.

b) The school plays a core role in the grassroots education council, proactively proposing specific measures to implement policies and plans set forth by the education congress.

c) The parent-teacher association operates consistently and effectively in cooperation with the school to educate students.

2. Family and Community Activities to Build a Healthy Educational Environment

a) Conduct various forms of promotional activities to increase community understanding of primary education goals, content, methods, and evaluation criteria for primary students, creating conditions for community participation in achieving educational goals and plans.

b) The school coordinates with parents through a division of labor and cooperation mechanism, supporting families in educating their children and providing favorable conditions for their studies; ensuring regular communication between the school, teachers, and families through appropriate information exchange methods such as teacher-parent meetings, communication books, etc.

c) Organize specific educational activities such as moral education, lifestyle education, legal education, cultural, artistic, and physical education.

3. Family and Community Participation in Increasing School Infrastructure

Mobilize contributions of labor and funds from organizations, individuals, and families to build infrastructure; increase teaching and learning resources, reward excellent teachers and students, and support poor students.

Article 9. Educational Activities and Quality

1. Implementation of educational programs and plans

a) Teaching all subjects according to the prescribed program and plan.

b) At least 20% of the total number of students study for two sessions per day. There is an annual plan to increase the number of students studying for two sessions per day.

c) Organizing extracurricular educational activities well for students.

d) Effectively implementing remedial work for weak students.

2. Implementation of innovative teaching methods and student assessment

a) Implementing measures to innovate teaching methods in accordance with the directives of the competent educational management authority.

b) Frequently and effectively using functional rooms, libraries, and educational equipment.

c) Strictly implementing the evaluation and classification of students as prescribed.

3. Implementation of universal primary education - illiteracy eradication (UPP-IPE)

a) Participating in UPP-IPE tasks at the local level; having a correct age-appropriate UPP plan; not allowing illiteracy to reoccur.

b) Organizing "National Day for Sending Children to School" well, mobilizing at least 97% of children of school age to attend school.

c) Maintaining student enrollment, with dropout rates under 1%.

4. Educational quality and effectiveness by grade level

a) The rate of students advancing to the next grade and completing the primary education curriculum is at least 95%.

b) The rate of students assessed as fulfilling all four primary school student duties (or classified as having Good and Very Good conduct) is at least 95%.

c) The rate of students achieving Excellent Student status is at least 10%, and those achieving Advanced Student status is at least 40%.

d) The rate of students classified as Weak in academic performance (for subjects evaluated by scores) and Not Completed (for subjects evaluated by observation) does not exceed 5%.

e) Training effectiveness (the rate of students completing the primary education curriculum within five years of study) is at least 90%.

Section 2
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS AT LEVEL 2

Article 10. Organization and Management

In addition to the provisions in Article 5 of this Regulation, adjust and supplement the following criteria:

1. Implementation of management and management effectiveness

a) The school has detailed activity plans for each academic year, semester, month, and week.

b) Implementing fair, democratic, and transparent management processes.

c) Using information technology in management to enhance the quality and effectiveness of school management.

d) Implementing management creatively, fully utilizing teachers' and staff's capabilities in building and developing the school.

e) Organizing training for teachers to improve their awareness and professional skills for at least 50 hours per academic year.

2. Principal and Deputy Principals

a) The principal and deputy principals have a minimum of a college-level education in primary education.

b) They have been trained to improve political and school management professional skills.

Article 11. Teacher Workforce

In addition to the provisions in Article 6 of this Regulation, adjust and supplement the following criteria:

1. Quantity and Educational Qualifications

All teachers meet the standard in terms of educational qualifications, with at least 30% exceeding the standard; there are teachers specializing in Physical Education, Music, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, and Information Technology; there is a full-time teacher responsible for the Young Pioneer Corps.

2. Moral Character, Professional Ethics, and Expertise

a) Teachers are creative, flexibly applying various teaching methods and educating students. Each teacher submits at least one report on improving teaching methods annually.

b) Teachers have individual lesson plans for outstanding and weak students in their class.

c) At least 30% of teachers achieve the title of Excellent Teacher at the district (city, town) level or higher.

d) Teachers use information technology in teaching.

e) Teachers are devoted to loving students and dedicated to their profession.

g) Teachers fully participate in professional activities, seminars, and social activities organized by the school or jointly organized.

h) Teachers must have a development plan after being evaluated according to the Professional Standards Guide issued by the Ministry of Education and Training. This plan must be kept in their personal file.

Article 12. School Material and Equipment Infrastructure

In addition to the provisions stipulated in Article 7 of this Regulation, the following criteria shall be adjusted and supplemented:

1. Student Desks and Chairs

A student desk is a two-seat desk with each seat being at least 0.5 meters wide. The chairs must be separate from the desks and have backrests. The dimensions (height, width, depth) of the desks and chairs must correspond to each other and be suitable for the stature of students. The dimensions of student desks and chairs must comply with the hygiene regulations for schools issued by the Ministry of Health under Decision No. 1221/2000/QĐ-BYT dated April 18, 2000, of the Minister of Health.

2. Blackboards

The size, color, and method of hanging blackboards must comply with the hygiene regulations for schools issued by the Ministry of Health. The blackboard must be glare-resistant.

3. Functional Rooms

a) Separate rooms for teaching Music, Fine Arts, and Information Technology subjects.

b) Functional rooms and libraries must maintain daily activity logs.

c) There must be a room for teaching students with special difficulties individually.

4. Educational Equipment and Facilities

a) Classrooms must be equipped with filing cabinets for teachers' and students' instructional materials.

b) The school must provide modern office equipment (such as computers, photocopiers, etc.) to support teaching activities.

c) Teaching aids and educational equipment must be strengthened and supplemented annually with high utilization efficiency.

d) The school must have a common archive room for storing documents and files.

Article 13. Implementation of Socialization in Education Policy

In addition to the provisions stipulated in Article 8 of this Regulation, the following criteria shall be adjusted and supplemented:

1. Publicize the school's sources of income.

2. Maintain a record book and sign an annual memorandum between the school and the People's Committee of the commune (town) regarding the ratio of students enrolled at the beginning of the academic year (especially for children with disabilities).

Article 14. Educational Activities and Educational Quality

In addition to the provisions stipulated in Article 9 of this Regulation, the following criteria shall be adjusted and supplemented:

1. Implementation of educational programs and plans

a) Develop specific education plans to nurture students with talents and improve the level of students who perform poorly, and plans for inclusive education (if there are students with disabilities in the area).

b) At least 50% of the total number of students attend school for two sessions per day. Annual plans should be made to achieve the goal of organizing two sessions per day for most students.

c) Allocate time for students to engage in extracurricular activities outdoors.

d) Set an appropriate theme for each academic year that aligns with the unique characteristics of the school.

2. Implementing the Target of Universal Primary Education at the Right Age

a) The commune (town, township) where the school is located has been recognized as meeting the national standard for universal primary education at the right age.

b) Develop specific plans and measures to mobilize all children within the age range to attend school and support students with particularly difficult circumstances to maintain attendance rates and reduce retention rates.

3. Educational Quality and Effectiveness by Grade Level

a) The rate of students advancing to the next grade and completing the primary school curriculum reaches over 98%.

b) The rate of students assessed as fulfilling all four tasks of primary school students (or rated as having Good or Very Good conduct) reaches at least 99%.

c) The rate of students achieving the title of Excellent Student reaches at least 25%, and the rate of students achieving the title of Advanced Student reaches at least 40%.

d) The rate of students rated as Weak (for subjects evaluated by grades) and Not Completed (for subjects evaluated by comments) does not exceed 1%.

e) The training effectiveness (the rate of students completing the primary school curriculum after five years of study) reaches at least 95%.

g) Store examination papers from the last two academic years. Fully store all mid-term examination papers of students. For students with disabilities, fully store all regular examination papers.

h) Students leave textbooks in class and only take home assignments as required by teachers for specific student groups.

4. Reforming Teaching Methods

a) There must be no situation where students are forced to put their hands on the desk while listening to the teacher's lecture.

b) There must be no situation where teachers harm students in front of the class.

c) There must be no instances where teachers criticize students' shortcomings in front of parents.

d) Conduct an initial assessment of students' quality at the start of the academic year according to the directives of the Ministry. The results of the school's student quality assessment must be consistent with the inspection team's findings.

Chapter III
INSPECTION, REVIEW, AND RECOGNITION
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Article 15. Procedures for inspection, review, and recognition

The procedures for inspecting, reviewing, and recognizing primary schools meeting national standards at Level 1 and Level 2 are identical and consist of specific steps as follows:

1. The school and the Commune Education Council (hereinafter referred to collectively as the commune level) conduct inspections and evaluations according to the standards of Level 1 or Level 2 as stipulated in Chapter II of this Regulation. Upon determining that the school has met the standards, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level shall prepare a document requesting the People's Committee at the district level (hereinafter referred to collectively as the district level) to organize a verification of the inspection and evaluation results.

2. The district-level inspection team (consisting of representatives from relevant functional agencies designated by the Chairman of the People's Committee at the district level) shall conduct a verification of the commune-level inspection and evaluation results, report the verification results to the Chairman of the People's Committee at the district level. Upon determining that the school has met the standards, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the district level shall prepare a document requesting the People's Committee at the provincial level (hereinafter referred to collectively as the provincial level) to organize a verification of the inspection and evaluation results.

3. The provincial-level inspection team (consisting of representatives from relevant functional agencies designated by the Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level) shall conduct a verification of the commune-level and district-level inspection and evaluation results, report the verification results to the Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level. Upon determining that the school has met the standards at which level, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level shall issue a decision to recognize and grant the Certificate of Recognition for Primary Schools Meeting National Standards at that level.

4. The model of the Certificate of Recognition for Primary Schools Meeting National Standards at Level 1 and Level 2 as prescribed (Annex 1).

Article 16. Content of Inspection and Evaluation

1. Listening to the general report of the school according to the standards for primary schools meeting national standards at Level 1 or Level 2.

2. Inspecting according to the standards through the following tasks:

a) Inspecting files and records: land registry books, universal education records, student assessment and classification records, student transcripts, parent-school communication records, lists of students completing the primary education program, principal’s academic year plans, teacher teaching plans, school property records... and other documents and records related to the content of the standards requested by the inspection team.

b) Inspecting the physical facilities, equipment, and library of the school.

c) Collecting opinions from individuals and organizations within and outside the school regarding the school, its activities, and other related issues, if deemed necessary.

d) Observing classes and surveying the quality of teaching by teachers and learning by students.

e) Preparing a comparison record of the school's student quality survey results using a test format with the inspection team's survey results.

3. Preparing an inspection and evaluation record of the school for each standard and concluding a summary of all standards.

Article 17. Documents for Recognition Inspection

The application documents for recognizing primary schools meeting national standards submitted to the Provincial People's Committee include:

1. The school's report on each content as prescribed for building primary schools meeting national standards.

2. The recognition request document for primary schools meeting national standards issued by the Chairman of the District People's Committee.

3. The record of minimum quality level inspection (Annex 2).

4. The record of primary school meeting national standards inspection (Annex 3).

Chapter IV
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT LEVELS

Article 18. Responsibilities of the school

The School Management Board has the responsibility to advise the local Party committee and administration on planning to build and develop the school to meet national standard criteria; maintain, sustain, and enhance the results achieved after being recognized as meeting the national standards.

Article 19. Responsibilities of educational management levels

1. The Departments of Education and Training at local levels have the responsibility to:

a) Advise the People's Committees at various levels on planning for construction and investment in primary schools within their jurisdiction to meet national standards.

b) Urge, supervise, and inspect primary schools in their efforts to achieve standards and maintain the standards already attained;

c) Advise the People's Committees at various levels on requesting the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to revoke the Decision and Certificate recognizing the attainment of national standards for schools that have been recognized but fail to maintain and enhance their achievements;

d) Annually conduct summaries and evaluations of the movement to build national standard schools in their locality;

e) Report every six months to the Ministry of Education and Training (Primary Education Department) on the results of building and recognizing primary schools as meeting national standards.

2. The Ministry of Education and Training has the responsibility to:

a) Summarize and evaluate the construction and recognition of primary schools meeting national standards nationwide;

b) Supervise and inspect localities in their assessment and recognition of primary schools meeting national standards;

c) Recommend the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to revoke the Decision and Certificate recognizing the attainment of national standards for schools that have been recognized but fail to maintain their achievements.