Circular No. 33/2018/TT-BLDTBXH on vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through distance learning and self-study with guidance

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT COLLEGE, VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, AND BEGINNER LEVELS THROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING AND SELF-STUDY WITH GUIDANCE

DISTANCE LEARNING AND SELF-STUDY WITH GUIDANCE

Pursuant to the Vocational Education Law dated November 21, 2014;

Pursuant to Decree No. 48/2015/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2015, of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Vocational Education Law;

Pursuant to Decree No. 14/2017/ND-CP dated February 17, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs;

At the proposal of the Director General of the General Department of Vocational Education;

The Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issues this Circular on regulations concerning vocational training at college, vocational high school, and beginner levels through distance learning and self-study with guidance.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Circular stipulates on vocational training at college, vocational high school, and beginner levels through distance learning and self-study with guidance including: curriculum, teaching materials for training; training learning materials; management system for training; enrollment for training; duration of courses, organization of teaching sessions; training organization; examination, testing, recognition of graduation; diplomas, certificates of completion, course completion certificates, module completion certificates, credit completion certificates, and responsibilities of related agencies and units.

This Circular does not apply to teacher training programs managed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 2. This Circular applies to vocational education institutions, higher education institutions that have registered for vocational education activities at the college level, enterprises (hereinafter referred to collectively as vocational training institutions), and related agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

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

1. Distance learning and self-study with guidance is a non-concentrated vocational training form where learners mainly study independently through learning materials (textbooks, video tapes, multimedia applications on electronic devices, using audio-visual equipment, radio, television, multimedia communication systems, the Internet) under the organization and assistance of teachers and schools. Distance learning and self-study with guidance can be implemented for individual subjects, modules, credits, or for the entire training program.

2. The distance learning and self-study with guidance training system of vocational training institutions includes: curriculum, learning materials, learning management system, technical infrastructure system, and other ensuring factors such as teachers, support staff, managers, and the distance learning regulations of vocational training institutions.

3. Learning materials for distance learning and self-study with guidance include:

a) Main learning materials (curriculum, textbooks, guide materials...) providing comprehensive contents of the training program for learners to study and research independently.

b) Supplementary learning materials (software, discs, videos, printed books, guide materials, practical exercises, simulated internships...) providing learners with a thorough understanding of the main learning materials.

4. Methods of distance learning and self-study with guidance include: training through correspondence or mass media (radio, television, etc.) or the Internet (online training) or a combination of the above methods and direct teaching and guidance activities at vocational education institutions.

5. Learning management application system: applications allowing the organization, management, and implementation of distance learning and self-study with guidance activities from the time learners register for admission until they complete their courses; enabling vocational training institutions to monitor and manage the training process; creating an online teaching and learning environment; facilitating instructors to communicate and guide learners during teaching; enabling learners to track their learning progress; storing all information about the distance learning and self-study with guidance process.

PART II

ORGANIZATION OF DISTANCE LEARNING AND SELF-STUDY WITH GUIDANCE

Article 3. Training Programs and Textbooks

1. The training programs and textbooks for vocational training at college, intermediate, and basic levels through distance learning and self-study with guidance shall be the corresponding training programs and textbooks for regular training forms adjusted by vocational training institutions to suit the learners' capabilities, training forms, and training duration.

For common subjects in college and intermediate level training programs, they may be adjusted to suit the learner groups and shall be decided by the head of the vocational training institution.

2. The training programs and textbooks for vocational training at college and intermediate levels through distance learning and self-study with guidance shall be independently built or selected, approved, and used by the head of the vocational training institution according to Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 1, 2017, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs on procedures for building, reviewing, and promulgating training programs; organizing the compilation, selection, and review of textbooks for intermediate and college level training.

3. The training programs and textbooks for vocational training at the basic level through distance learning and self-study with guidance shall be independently built or selected, approved, and used by the head of the vocational training institution according to Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH dated October 20, 2015, issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs on basic level training (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH).

4. Approved training programs must be publicly disclosed on the vocational training institution's electronic information website before organizing admissions.

Article 4. Distance Learning and Self-Study Teaching Materials

1. Distance learning and self-study teaching materials must closely align with the training program's objectives and content, have high pedagogical value, be user-friendly, and meet the needs of self-study learners.

2. Teaching materials serving distance learning and self-study courses, modules, and credits must be fully prepared and ready before training begins.

3. Distance learning and self-study teaching materials produced by vocational training institutions through design, production, leasing, purchasing from external sources, or using other legitimate sources must comply with intellectual property regulations.

Article 5. Distance Learning and Self-Study Management System

1. The distance learning and self-study management system includes: the learning management system and the technical infrastructure for distance learning and self-study.

2. The learning management system:

a) Information portal: To publish and introduce training program contents; provide admission information and admission conditions.

b) Learning subsystem: For learners to access remote learning content, self-study, self-assess, track their learning progress and results.

c) Teaching subsystem: For teachers and lecturers to manage teaching materials, establish study rules, collect assignments, conduct tests; monitor, interact, assist, and guide learners; verify and control the learning process; manage students and classes.

d) Examination subsystem: For vocational education institutions to organize exams, assess and record learners' learning progress and results.

đ) Online classroom subsystem: To organize real-time online classes.

e) Mobile application: To facilitate easy and convenient teaching and learning on mobile devices.

g) Reporting subsystem: To extract information about the training process and activities of instructors and learners.

h) A team of teachers, technical staff, support staff, and system managers to organize training and operate the system.

3. Technical Infrastructure System

The server system and network connection infrastructure must have sufficient bandwidth and capacity to meet user access requirements; there must be at least two technical infrastructure systems maintained for mutual backup.

4. Vocational training institutions are encouraged to outsource the distance learning and self-study management system or collaborate with units providing distance learning and self-study solutions to reduce investment and operational costs.

When outsourcing or collaborating with units providing distance learning and self-study solutions, they must meet the requirements for server systems, security, storage infrastructure, and data safety as stipulated by law.

Article 6. Admissions for Training

1. Admissions for training at the college, intermediate, and basic levels through distance learning and self-study with guidance shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions set forth in Circular No. 05/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 2, 2017 issued by the Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs on regulations for admissions and determining admission quotas for intermediate and college levels, and Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic level.

2. Vocational education centers and intermediate schools may only admit students for training through distance learning and self-study with guidance for professions listed in their vocational education activity registration certificate when they submit a report registering to implement the training program (in the form attached as Appendix I of this Circular) to the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs for monitoring and management.

3. Colleges and higher education institutions may only admit students for training through distance learning and self-study with guidance for professions listed in their vocational education activity registration certificate when they submit a report registering to implement the training program (in the form attached as Appendix I of this Circular) to the General Department of Vocational Education for monitoring and management.

4. Enterprises may only admit students for training at the basic level through distance learning and self-study with guidance when they submit a report registering to implement the training program (in the form attached as Appendix I of this Circular) to the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs for monitoring and management.

5. Vocational education institutions and enterprises may only admit students for training certain common subjects, modules, and credits within the college, intermediate, and basic level training programs through distance learning and self-study with guidance for application throughout the vocational education system after submitting a report registering to train subjects, modules, and credits (in the form attached as Appendix II of this Circular) to the General Department of Vocational Education for monitoring and management.

Article 7. Duration of Courses and Teaching Organization

1. The duration of a course is the time required for a student to complete the training program, which is flexibly determined by the head of the vocational training institution in accordance with the profession and the target group of learners.

2. The organization of teaching is flexibly carried out based on the needs of the learners, through direct guidance, online guidance, software, and study materials, but must ensure the requirements of the training program's content.

Article 8. Training Organization

1. Organizing training through distance learning and self-study with guidance is applied to the entire training program at the college, intermediate, and basic levels or certain common subjects, modules, and credits within the training program at these levels.

The decision to organize training for the entire program at the college, intermediate, and basic levels or certain common subjects, modules, and credits within the training program at these levels is made by the head of the vocational training institution and reported to the competent state management agency as stipulated in Article 6 of this Circular.

2. At the beginning of the course, the vocational training institution organizes an examination to consider and decide on exempting or reducing subjects, modules, and credits that the learner has already completed and achieved satisfactory results or accumulated before enrolling.

Before studying each subject, module, or credit, the vocational training institution conducts an assessment of the learner's knowledge and skills to determine the appropriate training program content.

Only teach and guide practical skills according to the content and requirements of the subjects, modules, and credits that the learner has not yet learned, practiced, or mastered thoroughly.

During the training process, interaction between teachers and learners, and among learners, must be ensured, demonstrated through participation in classes, guidance sessions, discussions; completion of study contents from main and supplementary learning materials; implementation of assignments and practical exercises; feedback to teachers about the content taught and practiced.

Encourage the application of new technology to monitor and evaluate the attendance of learners.

Article 9. Examination, Assessment, and Recognition of Graduation

1. Examination, assessment, and recognition of graduation for distance learning and guided self-study programs shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions set forth in Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 13, 2017 issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on organizing the implementation of vocational training programs at the intermediate and higher levels under the annual system or modular or credit accumulation method; examination, assessment, and recognition of graduation regulations (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH) for the higher and intermediate levels; and Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for the basic level.

2. The examination, assessment, and recognition of graduation may be conducted directly or indirectly but must ensure objectivity, transparency, and accurately evaluate the acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities of learners during their study period.

Article 10. Graduation Certificates and Diplomas

1. Learners who complete the higher vocational training program through distance learning and guided self-study will be awarded a higher vocational diploma in accordance with Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH dated March 13, 2017 issued by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs on the model of intermediate and higher vocational diplomas; printing, managing, issuing, recalling, and canceling graduation certificates in intermediate and higher vocational training (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH).

2. Learners who complete the intermediate vocational training program through distance learning and guided self-study will be awarded an intermediate vocational diploma in accordance with Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH.

3. Learners who complete the basic vocational training program through distance learning and guided self-study will be awarded a basic vocational certificate in accordance with Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH.

4. Learners who complete subjects, modules, or credits through distance learning and guided self-study organized by vocational education institutions and enterprises as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 6 of this Circular will be awarded a completion certificate for subjects, modules, or credits. These certificates are recognized within the vocational education system and can be used as a basis for skill assessment and recognition to continue studying for a basic vocational certificate, intermediate vocational diploma, or higher vocational diploma.

5. The models of graduation certificates and diplomas; printing, managing, issuing, recalling, and canceling graduation certificates and diplomas for intermediate and higher vocational training and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study shall be carried out in accordance with Circular No. 10/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for intermediate and higher vocational levels, without indicating the form of training, and Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for the basic level.

The completion certificate for subjects, modules, or credits shall be issued by the head of vocational education institutions and enterprises, clearly stating the content, duration of training, and results/scores of learners.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

Article 11. Responsibilities of Relevant Agencies and Units

1. The General Department of Vocational Education

a) Assist the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs in coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to direct and guide the organization of intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study for vocational training institutions as stipulated in this Circular.

b) Monitor, manage, and conduct post-training inspections for intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study for colleges; and higher vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study for higher education institutions.

c) Place orders and assign tasks for vocational education institutions and enterprises to train some common subjects, basic modules, or credits for intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study as stipulated in Clause 5, Article 6 of this Circular.

d) Organize the development and provision of some basic educational materials for distance learning and guided self-study that have a foundational nature for widespread use in vocational education institutions.

đ) Conduct inspections, examinations, compile reports on the implementation of intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study for vocational training institutions as stipulated.

2. Ministries and sectors with affiliated vocational training institutions implement intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study.

a) Direct and guide affiliated vocational training institutions to implement intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study as stipulated in this Circular.

b) Organize inspections, compile, and report on the implementation of intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study by affiliated vocational training institutions as stipulated.

a) Annually review and allocate local government budget funds entrusted through the Social Policy Bank for lending as prescribed by law;

a) Direct the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to fulfill state management responsibilities for intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study for vocational training institutions in their jurisdiction and the responsibilities of the Department for intermediate and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study for intermediate schools, vocational education centers, and enterprises in their jurisdiction as stipulated in this Circular.

b) Organize inspections, audits, compile, and report on the implementation of intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study by vocational training institutions in their jurisdiction as stipulated.

4. Departments of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs of provinces and centrally-administered cities

a) Advise and propose to provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees on fulfilling state management responsibilities for intermediate, higher, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study for vocational training institutions in their jurisdiction as stipulated in this Circular.

b) Monitor, manage, and conduct post-inspection on intermediate, basic vocational training conducted through distance learning and guided self-study for secondary vocational schools, vocational education centers, and enterprises within their jurisdiction in accordance with this Circular.

c) Inspect, audit, and compile reports on the implementation of higher vocational, intermediate, and basic vocational training conducted through distance learning and guided self-study for vocational training institutions within their jurisdiction as prescribed.

5. Vocational Training Institutions

a) Develop and promulgate regulations on distance learning and guided self-study, and publicly display them at the headquarters, training facilities, in admission announcements, and publish them on the vocational training institution's website to implement such regulations.

b) Organize higher vocational, intermediate, and basic vocational training through distance learning and guided self-study in accordance with this Circular.

c) Implement reporting requirements for higher vocational, intermediate, and basic vocational training conducted through distance learning and guided self-study in accordance with Circular No. 09/2017/TT-BLDTBXH for higher vocational and intermediate levels; and Circular No. 42/2015/TT-BLDTBXH for basic vocational level and subject, module, and credit training.

Article 12. Implementation Provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from February 8, 2019.

2. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties or new issues arise, please report to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs for guidance or supplementation and adjustment as necessary./.