Circular No. 35/2015/TT-BGDĐT guiding the work of competition and reward in the Education sector

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Competition and Reward Work in the Education Sector

Pursuant to the Law on Competition and Reward;

Pursuant to Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward; Decree No. 39/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 27, 2012 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward;

Pursuant to Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2014 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward in 2013;

Pursuant to Decree No. 32/2008/NĐ-CP dated March 19, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

PURSUANT TO THE proposal of the Director of the Department of Competition and Rewards;

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

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

1. This Circular guides competition and reward work in the education sector including: competition subjects and reward recipients; organization of competition movements; competition titles and criteria for competition titles; forms of rewards and criteria for rewards; authority to decide, line of submission, procedures for proposing recognition of competition titles, forms of rewards, and organization of award ceremonies; Competition and Reward Councils and Innovation Councils; competition and reward funds.

2. Competition and reward work in the education sector shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward; Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward (hereinafter referred to collectively as Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP); Decree No. 39/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 27, 2012 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward (hereinafter referred to collectively as Decree No. 39/2012/NĐ-CP); Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2014 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward in 2013 (hereinafter referred to collectively as Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP); Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV dated August 29, 2014 of the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the implementation of certain provisions of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward, Decree No. 39/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 27, 2012 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2010 of the Government and Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2014 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Law on Competition and Reward in 2013 (hereinafter referred to collectively as Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV) and the provisions of this Circular.

Article 2. Applicability

1. Competition subjects include:

a) Departments, Bureaus, Inspectors, Offices, and Representative Agencies of the Ministry of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City (hereinafter collectively referred to as units under the Ministry);

b) Educational institutions, public service units, enterprises directly under the Ministry of Education and Training (hereinafter collectively referred to as units directly under the Ministry);

c) Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and continuing education institutions;

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

đ) Secondary vocational schools, colleges, higher education institutions directly under provincial People's Committees (hereinafter collectively referred to as institutions under provincial People's Committees), directly under ministries, agencies at ministerial level, and government agencies (hereinafter collectively referred to as institutions under ministries); private higher education institutions; other secondary vocational schools, colleges, and higher education institutions within the national education system;

c) Hanoi National University, Ho Chi Minh City National University;

g) Departments, offices, bureaus, and equivalent organizations under the units specified in Points b, d, đ, and e of this Clause;

h) Officials, civil servants, public officials, and employees including those in their probationary period or on contracts of one year or more working in the agencies and units specified in Points a, b, c, d, đ, and e of this Clause;

i) Students studying at educational institutions.

2. Reward recipients include:

a) Subjects specified in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Organizations and individuals not belonging to the education sector; Vietnamese organizations and individuals abroad and foreign organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of education and training.

Article 3. Principles for assessing and rewarding commendations

1. The assessment and reward process shall be conducted at the end of the year's work or academic year, upon completion of campaigns or specialized competitions, or when outstanding individuals or deeds are identified.

2. Meetings to assess commendation titles shall be considered valid if attended by at least two-thirds of the total number of officers, civil servants, public officials, and employees, or members of the Competition and Reward Council of the unit.

3. Titles such as "Advanced Worker," "Model Competitor at the Grassroots Level," "Outstanding Labor Collective," "Flag of Competition from the Ministry of Education and Training," "Flag of Competition from the Government," Certificates of Merit from the Minister, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, and Medals of various categories must receive at least 70% approval votes from those participating in the meeting or those whose opinions were sought.

4. Titles such as "Ministry-Level Model Competitor," "National Model Competitor," National Honorary Titles, Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize must be decided by secret ballot with at least 90% approval votes from the members of the Council at that level (if Council members are absent, their opinions will be sought through ballots).

Article 4. Tasks and Authorities of Organizations and Individuals in Competition and Reward Work

1. The Director of the Department of Competition and Reward shall cooperate with the heads of units under the Ministry to advise the Minister on policies, contents, programs, plans, measures for organizing and launching competition movements within the education sector; guide, urge, inspect, summarize, and conclude competition movements and reward work; promote exemplary models and good deeds within the sector; assist in reviewing competition application files, recommending rewards, presenting to the Ministry’s Competition and Reward Council for review, presenting to the Minister for awarding according to authority, or presenting to the Minister for the Minister to present to competent authorities for awarding competition titles and reward forms as prescribed by law.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, Rectors of National Universities, Directors of Provincial Departments of Education and Training, heads of educational institutions directly under provincial People's Committees, and the Ministry shall be responsible for concretizing the contents, targets, and measures for organizing competition movements, inspecting implementation, summarizing and concluding competition movements, promoting exemplary models; proposing rewards and suggesting improvements to competition and reward work.

3. Information agencies, press, and publishing houses under the Ministry of Education and Training, Provincial Departments of Education and Training, and educational institutions shall be responsible for continuously publicizing competition and reward work; disseminating and showcasing exemplary models and good deeds in competition movements; combating and criticizing violations of laws related to competition and reward.

4. Units and individuals proposing to be awarded competition titles and reward forms shall implement the provisions of this Circular and relevant laws, and bear responsibility for the accuracy of the application files submitted to higher levels.

Article 5. Competition Groups and Regions

1. Based on the position, functions, tasks, nature of work, and scope of activities of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, National Universities, educational institutions directly under provincial People's Committees, the Ministry, and non-public higher education institutions, the Minister shall decide to establish competition groups.

2. Based on the characteristics and socio-economic conditions of localities, the Minister shall decide to establish competition regions for Provincial Departments of Education and Training.

3. The head of a competition group or region shall be responsible to the Minister for the activities of the group or region.

4. Tasks and authorities of competition groups and regions:

a) Organize the implementation of competition movements launched by the Ministry; concretize targets, contents, and measures to build competition movements within the group or region;

b) Summarize and conclude competition movements, exchange learning experiences, share knowledge, develop new models, and exemplary cases within the group or region;

c) Evaluate and rank within the group or region to provide the Minister with grounds for deciding to award the title of "Outstanding Labor Collective," Ministry-level Flag of Competition, and Minister's Certificate of Merit according to the annual guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Chapter II
ORGANIZATION AND LAUNCH OF COMPETITION MOVEMENTS; COMPETITION TITLES AND STANDARDS FOR COMPETITION TITLES

Article 6. Forms and contents of organizing competitive movements

The forms and contents of organizing competitive movements shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 2 and Article 3 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Article 7. Registration for competition and signing of competition agreements

1. The head of units specified in Points a, b, and e Clause 1 Article 2 of this Circular shall organize for individuals and units under their management to register for competition and submit to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Mobilization and Reward) before October 30 each year for units evaluated based on the academic year, and before January 31 each year for units evaluated based on the working year.

2. Based on the content of the competitive movement launched by the Minister, the blocks and regions of competition shall organize the signing of competition agreements and submit reports to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Mobilization and Reward) as prescribed.

Article 8. Commendation Titles

1. For individuals: "Advanced Worker", "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level", "Model Worker at the Ministry Level", "National Model Worker".

2. For units: "Advanced Working Group", "Outstanding Working Group", "Flag of Competition of the Ministry of Education and Training", "Flag of Competition of the Government".

3. The commendation titles shall be awarded annually at the end of the academic year or working year.

Article 9. Title "Advanced Worker"

The title "Advanced Worker" shall be awarded to individuals who meet the criteria stipulated in Article 5 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP.

Article 10. Title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level"

1. The title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level" shall be awarded to individuals who meet the criteria stipulated in Article 4 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP.

2. Individuals who achieve one of the achievements specified in Clause 2 Article 11 of this Circular or one of the following achievements shall be considered as innovative initiatives when evaluating and recognizing the title "Model Worker at the Grassroots Level":

a) Kindergarten, primary, and secondary school teachers who have achieved the title of excellent teacher at the district level or higher; high school and provincial-level continuing education center teachers who have achieved the title of excellent teacher at the school level or higher;

b) Teachers directly teaching and nurturing one student who achieves first, second, or third place in provincial-level competitions. For teachers working in areas with special difficulties in economic and social conditions or poor districts, the policy applicable to areas with special difficulties in economic and social conditions shall be applied if students achieve awards in district-level competitions;

c) Teachers and lecturers who are the main authors of articles published in domestic or international scientific journals;

d) Civil servants, public officials, and workers who participate in drafting projects, regulations of the unit that have been promulgated according to the decision of the competent authority;

3. Heads and deputy heads who meet the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article and the units they manage must achieve the title "Advanced Working Group".

4. The ratio of "Model Workers at the Grassroots Level" shall not exceed 15% of the number of individuals who have achieved the title "Advanced Worker" in the unit, ensuring that no more than 1/3 are managerial staff, rounding up any remainder.

Article 11. Title "Model Worker at the Ministry Level"

1. The title "Model Worker at the Ministry Level" shall be awarded to individuals who meet the criteria stipulated in Article 14 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP.

2. Some achievements that can be counted as innovative initiatives when evaluating and recognizing the title of Model Worker at the provincial or ministry level:

a) Participating in drafting normative legal documents that have been promulgated according to the decision of the competent authority;

b) Teachers and lecturers directly teaching and nurturing one student who achieves first, second, or third place or Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals in national or international competitions;

c) Participating in compiling curricula and textbooks for general education that have been reviewed;

d) Teachers and lecturers who win first, second, or third place in competitions organized by the province or ministry.

Article 12. The title "National Model Worker"

The title "National Model Worker" shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 3 of Decree No. 65/2014/ND-CP and Article 4 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Article 13. The title "Advanced Labor Collective"

The title "Advanced Labor Collective" shall be awarded to units meeting the standards prescribed in Article 17 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP and Article 6 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Article 14. Title "Outstanding Labor Collective"

The title "Outstanding Labor Collective" shall be awarded to units meeting the standards prescribed in Article 6 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Article 15. 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 to the subjects specified in Points a, b, c, d, đ, e, and g of Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular that meet the standards prescribed in Article 26 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward.

2. The awarding of the Flag of Excellence of the Ministry to outstanding and excellent units shall be carried out through evaluation, assessment, and recommendation within the blocs and regions of competition. The Minister of Education and Training shall decide specifically the number of Flags to be awarded to units within the blocs and regions of competition.

3. At the end of the academic year or work period, subordinate units of the Ministry, subordinate units of regional universities, and subordinate units of the National University shall select one leading and outstanding unit among departments, offices, bureaus, and equivalent organizations to recommend for the award of the Flag of Excellence. For units with twenty or more departments, offices, bureaus, and equivalent organizations, two units may be recommended.

4. At the end of the academic year, the Department of Education and Training shall select one leading and outstanding unit in the movement of excellence in teaching and learning at each level of education and training, and one district education and training office to recommend for the award of the Flag of Excellence.

Article 16. "Flag of Excellence of the Government"

The title "Flag of Excellence of the Government" shall be awarded to units meeting the standards prescribed in Article 6 of Decree No. 65/2014/ND-CP and Article 7 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Chapter III
FORMS OF REWARD AND STANDARDS FOR REWARD

Article 17. Forms of reward

1. State-level reward forms:

a) Orders: "Order of Independence Star"; "Ho Chi Minh Order"; "Independence Order" first class, second class, third class; "Labor Order" first class, second class, third class; "Bravery Order", "Friendship Order";

b) State honorary titles: "Hero of the People's Armed Forces"; "Hero of Labor"; "People's Teacher", "Outstanding Teacher";

c) Ho Chi Minh Prize, State Prize;

d) Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister.

2. Reward forms of the Ministry of Education and Training: Certificate of Merit from the Minister, Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education".

Article 18. Standards for awarding the "Order of Independence Star"

The Order of Independence Star shall be awarded to collectives; awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 20 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP, Article 7 of Decree No. 65/2014/ND-CP, and Article 13 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Article 19. Standards for awarding the "Ho Chi Minh Order"

The Ho Chi Minh Order shall be awarded to collectives; awarded or posthumously awarded to individuals meeting the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 4 of Article 21 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP, Article 8 of Decree No. 65/2014/ND-CP, and Article 13 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Article 20. Criteria for awarding the "Independence Medal"

1. The first-class "Independence Medal" shall be awarded to collectives; individuals meeting the criteria specified in Article 9 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP shall be awarded or posthumously awarded the medal.

2. The second-class "Independence Medal" shall be awarded to collectives; individuals meeting the criteria specified in Article 10 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP shall be awarded or posthumously awarded the medal.

3. The third-class "Independence Medal" shall be awarded to collectives; individuals meeting the criteria specified in Article 11 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP shall be awarded or posthumously awarded the medal.

Article 21. Criteria for awarding the "Labor Medal"

1. The "Labor Medal" includes:

a) The first-class "Labor Medal" shall be awarded to collectives; individuals meeting the criteria specified in Article 15 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP shall be awarded or posthumously awarded the medal;

b) The second-class "Labor Medal" shall be awarded to collectives; individuals meeting the criteria specified in Article 16 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP shall be awarded or posthumously awarded the medal;

c) The third-class "Labor Medal" shall be awarded to collectives; individuals meeting the criteria specified in Article 17 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP shall be awarded or posthumously awarded the medal.

2. Outstanding and sudden achievements and particularly outstanding scientific works and inventions as stipulated in Point a Clause 1 of Articles 15, 16, and 17 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP are specifically as follows:

a) Outstanding and sudden achievements include one of the following:

Demonstrating intelligence and bravery in rescuing people and state and public property; preventing and mitigating the consequences of natural disasters, epidemics, enemy attacks, or other sudden achievements with nationwide, regional, provincial, or city-wide impact, confirmed by the People's Committee of the province or the relevant ministry where the incident occurred.

b) Inventions and innovations applied with high effectiveness having nationwide influence and exemplary value, or particularly outstanding scientific projects and works such as:

Inventions and innovations or leading national-level, provincial-level, or ministry-level scientific research projects that have been evaluated as excellent and won national or international awards, applied with high effectiveness, or made significant contributions to solving theoretical and practical issues of the country, sector, field, or locality, recognized and confirmed by the competent authority in charge of the sector, field, or locality;

c) Teachers who have achieved particularly outstanding results in teaching and nurturing students who win Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals in international competitions;

d) Acts of noble virtue and bravery in fighting negative behaviors, law violations, and social evils with nationwide exemplary effect recognized and honored by society.

3. The evaluation of outstanding and sudden achievements and the effectiveness of inventions, innovations, and initiatives as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article shall be the responsibility of the Commendation and Award Council at the grassroots level to review and propose; the Standing Committee of the Commendation and Award Council under the Ministry of Education and Training shall review and submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and to the President for decision on awarding the Labor Medal in various classes.

Article 22. Criteria for awarding the title of "Hero of Labor"

The title of "Hero of Labor" shall be awarded to collectives; individuals meeting the criteria specified in Article 61 of the Law on Commendation and Awards shall be awarded or posthumously awarded the title.

Article 23. Criteria for awarding the titles "People's Teacher" and "Outstanding Teacher"

The titles "People's Teacher" and "Outstanding Teacher" shall be awarded to teachers and educational management officials who meet the criteria specified in Government Decree No. 27/2015/NĐ-CP dated March 10, 2015, on the criteria for awarding the titles "People's Teacher" and "Outstanding Teacher".

Article 24. "Ho Chi Minh Award", "State Award"

The "Ho Chi Minh Award" and "State Award" shall be awarded to authors of one or more works, scientific research projects, technological, educational, and literary and artistic works, in accordance with the provisions of Article 46 and Article 47 of Government Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP and other relevant laws.

Article 25. Criteria for awarding the Prime Minister’s Commendation

1. Implement the criteria stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 3 of Article 23 of Government Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP.

2. Units and individuals that achieve the achievements specified in Points a, b, c, and d of Clause 2 of Article 21 of this Circular shall be considered and proposed for the Prime Minister’s Commendation. The grassroots Competition and Reward Council is responsible for reviewing and recommending. The Standing Committee of the Competition and Reward Council under the Ministry of Education and Training will review and submit to the Prime Minister for decision.

Article 26. Recipients and criteria for awarding the Minister’s Commendation

1. To reward outstanding achievements and merits of units and individuals who have achieved outstanding results after completing annual or multi-year tasks.

a) Recipients

Units and individuals specified in Points a, b, and e; departments, offices, bureaus, and equivalent organizations directly subordinate to units specified in Points b and e of Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular;

b) Criteria

Units that have been recognized by competent authorities as "Excellent Labor Collectives" for two consecutive years;

Individuals who have been rated as having completed their assigned tasks excellently for two consecutive years by the head of the unit, during which time they have had two recognized and effectively applied initiatives within the scope of the grassroots level;

2. To reward specific achievements of units and individuals who have achieved outstanding results after completing a competition period or a special work program initiated by the President, the Prime Minister, or the Minister.

a) Recipients

Units and individuals specified in Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular;

b) Criteria

The most outstanding unit selected from the competition movements initiated by the Ministry. Individuals with the most outstanding achievements selected from the competition movements initiated by the Ministry or winning first place, Gold Medal at national contests; winning first, second, third place, or Gold, Silver, Bronze Medals at international contests.

3. To reward units and individuals for outstanding achievements and bravery in rescuing people and state property in unexpected circumstances not included in regular work plans.

4. To reward foreign organizations and individuals of Vietnamese origin and foreign organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of education and training.

5. Individuals belonging to units specified in Points a, b, and e of Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular, who have consistently performed well before retiring under social insurance regulations and have not received the Minister’s Commendation in the five years prior may be considered and decided upon by the Minister for the Minister’s Commendation.

6. Units and individuals specified in Points a, b, c, đ, e of Clause 1 of Article 2 of this Circular and departments, institutes, centers, and disciplines directly subordinate to higher education institutions and vocational colleges, the Minister may consider and decide to award the Minister’s Commendation on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of the unit (every five years). The criteria and quantity are as follows:

Units with outstanding achievements in the process of construction and development for ten years or more. Provincial Departments of Education and Training may propose no more than five units per year;

Individuals with at least five years of service at the unit, making significant contributions to the construction and development of the unit; the number of proposals does not exceed five individuals per unit, for units under the Ministry, it does not exceed ten individuals per unit, including at least three teachers, lecturers, or workers;

7. Other cases to be considered and decided by the Minister.

Article 27. Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education"

The granting of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Decision No. 26/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005 on the issuance of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" and Decision No. 27/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT of the Minister of Education and Training dated August 29, 2005 on the issuance of the Regulation on the Granting of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" and the following provisions:

1. Individuals who have worked in the education sector for at least 25 years for males and 20 years for females, and have fulfilled their assigned tasks.

2. Individuals currently working in areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions, poor districts may be granted the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" five years earlier than the time specified in Clause 1 of this Article according to the policy applicable to areas with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions.

3. Individuals who meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article but have been disciplined from reprimand to dismissal shall only be eligible for the granting of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" starting from the date when the disciplinary action is lifted. The period during which the disciplinary action is enforced shall not be counted towards the granting of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education".

Chapter IV
AUTHORITY TO DECIDE, NOMINATION PROCEDURE, AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS AND INCENTIVE FORMS

Article 28. Authority to grant awards and incentives

1. The authority to recognize national-level awards and incentives shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Articles 77 and 78 of the Law on Encouragement and Reward.

2. The Minister of Education and Training shall decide:

a) To present the Flag of Excellence to units with outstanding achievements and leading positions in the campaigns initiated by the Ministry;

b) To recognize the title of "Outstanding Worker of the Ministry" for individuals as specified in Points a, b, and e, and the title of "Excellent Labor Collective" for units as specified in Points a and b of Clause 1 of this Circular, and titles of "Advanced Worker", "Outstanding Worker at the Grassroots Level" for units under the Ministry without separate seals and accounts;

c) To recognize the title of "Excellent Labor Collective" for units directly under Regional Universities and the Vietnam Educational Publishing House;

d) To present Certificates of Merit to units and individuals within and outside the education sector;

đ) To present the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education" to individuals within and outside the education sector;

3. The Rector of Regional Universities and the General Director of the Vietnam Educational Publishing House shall examine and recognize the title of "Excellent Labor Collective" for units under their management, excluding those specified in Point c of Clause 2 of this Article.

4. Heads of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry with separate seals and accounts shall decide to present Certificates of Merit, recognize the titles of "Advanced Worker" and "Outstanding Worker at the Grassroots Level" for units and individuals under their management. The presentation of Certificates of Merit by heads of units shall be carried out in accordance with Article 50 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP.

Article 29. Nomination procedure for rewards:

1. The Minister of Education and Training shall submit to the competent authority (through the Central Steering Committee for Encouragement and Reward) for consideration and granting of awards and incentives at the national level for units and individuals under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, and the National University; consult on rewarding units and individuals based on the proposal of the Central Steering Committee for Encouragement and Reward.

2. Heads of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, and the National University shall submit to the Minister (through the Department of Encouragement and Reward) for consideration and granting of awards and incentives within the Minister's authority or for the Minister to submit to the competent authority for consideration and granting of awards and incentives at the national level.

3. Before submitting to the Minister for consideration and granting of Certificates of Merit for units and individuals, the head of the educational institution specified in Point đ of Clause 1 of this Circular must obtain the agreement of the provincial People's Committee or the relevant ministry.

4. The Director of the Department of Education and Training shall submit to the Minister for consideration and granting:

a) Certificates of Merit of the Minister and Flags of Excellence of the Ministry of Education and Training for units and individuals under the Department in accordance with this Circular;

b) The Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education".

5. Heads of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, and the National University shall submit to the Minister for consideration and decision on rewarding or for the Minister to consider and submit to the competent authority for rewarding contributions to the cause of education and training for individuals meeting the criteria under their management.

6. For units, organizations, and individuals not belonging to the education sector:

a) Before submitting to the Minister (through the Department of Encouragement and Reward) for consideration and decision on rewarding units and individuals of the locality, the Director of the Department of Education and Training must obtain the agreement of the provincial People's Committee;

b) Heads of ministries shall propose to the Minister of Education and Training (through the Department of Encouragement and Reward) for consideration and decision on rewarding units and individuals under their management;

c) The Director of the International Cooperation Department shall coordinate with the Department of Encouragement and Reward to submit to the Minister for consideration and decision on rewarding Vietnamese individuals abroad and foreign individuals with outstanding achievements contributing to the development of the education and training cause after obtaining opinions from the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and related units.

Article 30. Application for Awards

1. The file of units and individuals proposing to be recognized with commendation titles and award forms shall be implemented according to the provisions of Decree No. 39/2012/NĐ-CP.

2. Quantity of files submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training

a) Files for national-level awards: four sets;

b) Files for awards within the authority of the Minister: one set.

3. Time for receiving files

a) Files for proposing to be recognized with commendation titles and award forms at the ministry level shall be sent to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Commendation and Award) before August 30 each year for units evaluated on an academic year basis and before January 30 each year for units evaluated on a work year basis;

b) Files for proposing to be recognized with commendation titles and award forms at the national level shall be sent to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Commendation and Award) before October 15 each year for units evaluated on an academic year basis and before February 28 each year for units evaluated on a work year basis;

c) Files for immediate awards: immediately after the unit or individual achieves outstanding results, the head of the unit is responsible for submitting to the Minister for consideration and decision on awarding or to the Minister for submission to the competent authority for consideration and decision on awarding.

4. Time for reviewing files

a) In case the files comply with the regulations

Commendation titles and award forms at the ministry level: fifteen working days;

Commendation titles and award forms at the national level: thirty working days;

b) In case the files do not comply with the regulations

Within seven working days from the date of receipt of the notification from the Ministry of Education and Training, the unit shall complete the files and send them back to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Commendation and Award).

Article 31. Examination and Award Process

1. Commendation Titles and Forms at the Ministry Level

After receiving all necessary files, the Department of Commendation and Award shall assist the Ministry's Commendation and Award Council in reviewing the files, soliciting opinions from related units, compiling and presenting to the Minister for consideration and decision on recognizing the title "Outstanding Labor Collective", the Flag of Merit at the ministry level, the title "Ministry-Level Model Worker", the Minister's Certificate of Merit; presenting to the Minister for consideration and presentation of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Education".

2. Commendation Titles and Forms at the State Level

a) After receiving all necessary files, the Department of Commendation and Award shall check the files, review achievements, seek the opinion of the Chairman of the Council before reporting to the Council or the Standing Committee of the Ministry's Commendation and Award Council; complete the files and present to the Minister for the Minister to submit to the competent authority (through the Central Department of Commendation and Award) for consideration and decision on awarding;

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

Article 32. Organization of Presentation

The organization of presentation and acceptance of National Honor Titles, State Prizes, Orders, Medals, "Flag of Merit of the Government", "National Model Worker", "Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit" shall be carried out according to the provisions of Decree No. 145/2013/NĐ-CP dated October 29, 2013 of the Government on the organization of commemorative days; ceremony for presentation and acceptance of award forms and commendation titles; diplomatic ceremonies and reception of foreign guests.

Article 33. Archiving of Commendation Files

The archiving of commendation files shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in Article 23 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Chapter V
COMPETITION AND REWARD COUNCIL - INNOVATION COUNCIL

Article 34. Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry of Education and Training

1. The Minister decides to establish the Council.

2. The composition of the Council shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 2 of Article 28 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP.

3. The tasks and powers of the Council shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 3 of Article 28 of Decree No. 65/2014/NĐ-CP and the Decision of the Minister on the establishment of the Council, the Rules of Operation of the Council issued by the Minister.

Article 35. Competition and Reward Councils of Units under the Ministry, Directly Under the Ministry, and National University

1. The head of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, and National University with its own seal and separate account decides to establish the Council.

2. Composition of the Board includes:

a) Chairman: Head of the unit;

b) Deputy Chairman: Deputy of the head of the unit, Chairman of the Trade Union of the unit;

c) Member: Representative of the Party Committee, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, heads of specialized departments; head of the competition and reward department or person in charge of the competition and reward work of the unit is a permanent member and secretary of the Council.

3. Principles of operation, tasks, and powers of the Council

a) The Council operates based on the principle of democratic centralism and majority voting. In case the opinions of the members of the Council are equal, the opinion of the Chairman of the Council shall be decisive;

b) Organizing and implementing the policies of the Party, State, and the Ministry of Education and Training on competition and reward work and organizing competition movements within the unit;

c) Regularly evaluating the competition movement and reward work of the unit, proposing policies and measures to promote the competition movement each year and during each phase;

d) Establishing criteria and standards for commendation titles and rewards suitable to the functions and tasks of the unit;

đ) Selecting collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements in the competition movement and patriotic activities to propose to the Minister of Education and Training for consideration and decision to recognize commendation titles and reward forms, or to submit to the competent authority for consideration and decision on rewards;

Article 36. Innovation Council

1. Authority to establish:

a) The Minister decides to establish the innovation council at the ministerial level;

b) The head of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, and National University with its own seal and separate account decides to establish the innovation council of the unit.

2. The Council has the task of assisting the Minister and the head of the unit:

a) Reviewing and recognizing innovations;

b) Evaluating and recognizing innovations; the scope of influence of innovations within the unit or within the provincial or ministerial level; there must be confirmation from the agency, unit, Provincial People's Committee, or Ministry using the innovation.

Chapter VI
FUND FOR COMPETITION AND REWARD

Article 37. Sources and Levels of Deduction for the Competition and Reward Fund

1. The sources and levels of deduction for the competition and reward fund of the Ministry shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 67 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP.

2. Encouraging organizations and individuals inside and outside the industry to support and contribute to supplementing the competition and reward fund of the Ministry and the competition and reward funds of units under the Ministry and directly under the Ministry.

Article 38. Management and use of the Ministry's competition and reward fund

1. The management and use of the Ministry's competition and reward fund shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 68 and Article 69 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP.

2. The content and amount of expenditure for competitions and rewards of the Ministry shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of Circular No. 71/2011/TT-BTC dated May 24, 2011, issued by the Ministry of Finance guiding the establishment, management, and use of the competition and reward fund under Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP.

Article 39. Responsibilities, Reward Amounts, and Principles of Awarding Rewards

1. Responsibility for awarding rewards

The Ministry of Education and Training is responsible for disbursing money for rewards to units and individuals honored at the national level by the Minister; units and individuals receiving salaries from the Ministry who are recognized with commendations and awards by the Minister; units and individuals honored by the Minister for outstanding and exceptional achievements;

Other cases shall be examined and decided by the Minister.

2. Amount of rewards accompanying commendation titles and forms of honors shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Articles 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 of Decree No. 42/2010/NĐ-CP and related legal documents.

3. Principles of awarding rewards

Shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2, Article 24 of Circular No. 07/2014/TT-BNV.

Chapter VII
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 40. Implementation organization

The Chairman of the Competition and Reward Council of the Ministry, the Director of the Department of Competition and Reward, the Head of the Office, the heads of units under the Ministry, directly under the Ministry, the Rector of the National University, the Directors of Provincial Departments of Education and Training, the leaders of competition and reward groups, regions, and organizations, units, and individuals have the responsibility to implement this Circular.

Article 41. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from February 16, 2016, replacing Circular No. 12/2012/TT-BGDĐT dated April 3, 2012, issued by the Minister of Education and Training guiding the competition and reward work in the education sector.

2. Abolish Point a, Point b, Point c, and Point d of Clause 1, Article 4 of Decision No. 27/2005/QĐ-BGD&ĐT dated August 29, 2005, issued by the Minister of Education and Training on the issuance of regulations on the granting of the "For the Cause of Education" Commemorative Medal.

3. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties, it is requested that agencies, units, and individuals report to the Ministry of Education and Training (through the Department of Competition and Reward) for timely examination and resolution./.