Circular 36/2026/TT-BGDĐT Issuing the Regulation on the Organization and Operation of University Preparatory Schools

CIRCULAR

Issuing the Regulation on the Organization and Operation of University Preparatory Schools

Pursuant to Law on Education No. 43/2019/QH14 and Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of Law on Education No. 123/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to Law on Teachers No. 73/2025/QH15;

Pursuant to Decree No. 37/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

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

The Minister of Education and Training issues this Circular on the organization and operation of university preparatory schools.

Article 1. This Circular annexes the Regulation on the Organization and Operation of University Preparatory Schools.

Article 2. This Circular takes effect from June 7, 2026 and replaces Circular No. 24/2011/TT-BGDĐT dated June 13, 2011 issued by the Minister of Education and Training on the Regulation on the Organization and Operation of University Preparatory Schools and Circular No. 41/2013/TT-BGDĐT dated December 31, 2013 issued by the Minister of Education and Training amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Regulation on the Organization and Operation of University Preparatory Schools annexed to Circular No. 24/2011/TT-BGDĐT dated June 13, 2011 issued by the Minister of Education and Training.

Article 3. The Director of the Office, Directors of Departments related to General Education, Heads of units under the Ministry of Education and Training; Principals of university preparatory schools and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

 

REGULATION

ON THE ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY SCHOOLS
(Annexed to Circular No. 36/2026/TT-BGDĐT dated April 22, 2026 issued by the Minister of Education and Training)

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This regulation stipulates on the organization and operation of preparatory university schools, including: tasks and authorities of the school; organizational structure and management of the school; educational activities; tasks and rights of teachers, education support staff, and students; finance and assets; relationships between the school, families, and society.

2. This regulation applies to preparatory university schools and related organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Position and Functions of Preparatory University Schools

1. Preparatory university schools are specialized institutions with the function of implementing ethnic policies of the Party and State in enhancing human resource quality for regions inhabited by ethnic minorities and mountainous areas, as well as regions with extremely difficult socio-economic conditions.

2. Preparatory university schools are directly managed by state agencies authorized under law; they are subject to national education management by the Ministry of Education and Training, while also being territorially managed by provincial People's Committees where the school is located.

3. Preparatory university schools have legal personality, seals, and bank accounts as prescribed.

Article 3. Tasks and Authorities of Preparatory University Schools

1. Developing plans for school development; educational plans according to academic years and organizing their implementation.

2. Organizing student admissions; nurturing, assessing, and evaluating preparatory university students in accordance with regulations set by the Ministry of Education and Training.

3. Establishing organizational structures as prescribed in Article 4 of this regulation.

4. Caring for, supporting, and managing students; organizing educational activities to preserve and promote cultural identity and fine traditions of ethnic groups.

5. Recruiting, employing, and managing administrative staff, teachers, and education support personnel in accordance with laws and delegated authority.

6. Implementing financial systems, accounting, and management and use of public assets as prescribed by law for public service units.

7. Ensuring and certifying educational institution quality according to regulations; applying information technology and digital transformation to enhance teaching quality, management, and governance.

8. Implementing international cooperation in education; scientific research activities; reporting and statistical systems; file management and archiving as prescribed.

9. Performing other tasks and authorities of public service units as stipulated by law.

Chapter II

ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS

Article 4. Organizational Structure of University Preparatory Schools

The organizational structure of university preparatory schools includes:

1. Principal, Deputy Principals.

2. Functional Departments.

3. Subject Teams.

4. Advisory Board.

5. Communist Party of Vietnam Organization and Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Organization.

6. Classes.

Article 5. Principal

1. The principal of a university preparatory school is an educational staff member holding the position of management cadre at the educational institution, serving as the head and legal representative of the university preparatory school; responsible for organizing, managing, directing activities and ensuring the quality of education at the university preparatory school.

2. Duties and Rights of the Principal

a) Issuing internal regulations, management rules, and guiding documents to implement tasks in accordance with legal provisions to ensure order, discipline, and educational quality;

b) Arranging and organizing the institutional structure according to Article 4 of this Regulation; implementing appointments and dismissals of team leaders, deputy team leaders, department heads, and deputy department heads based on hierarchical authority and relevant laws; c) Developing a job position plan in accordance with guidelines from the competent state management agency, ensuring regulations set by the Ministry of Education and Training and other legal provisions; organizing recruitment, utilization, management, transfer, signing labor contracts, and termination for teachers and educational support staff based on hierarchical authority and relevant laws;d) Managing, assigning tasks, inspecting, evaluating, classifying, rewarding, and disciplining administrative managers, teachers, and educational support staff according to legal provisions;

đ) Organizing the development of plans for school development; annual education plans and their implementation; organizing the compilation of materials to implement university preparatory courses as issued by the Ministry of Education and Training;

e) Managing students and student activities organized by the school; reviewing academic performance and discipline, recognizing completion of university preparation for students; implementing rewards and disciplinary actions for students according to regulations;

g) Managing financial resources and assets of the school in accordance with legal provisions;

h) Implementing state policies for administrative managers, teachers, educational support staff, and students; implementing socialized education activities as prescribed;

i) Implementing democratic regulations and accountability of the head of an educational institution in organizing activities; publicly disclosing activities according to regulations; directing implementation of competitive movements and campaigns;

k) Engaging in self-study and professional development, teaching university preparatory courses according to the lecture hour quota prescribed for university preparatory school principals;

l) Receiving job premium benefits as stipulated for teachers and other preferential policies; receiving training to enhance qualifications, professional development, and enjoying relevant benefits and policies.

3. Qualifications of Principal

a) Having good political qualities and ethics; meeting the qualification standards for university preparatory school teachers as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training; meeting position-specific criteria approved by competent authorities and other regulations set by the Party and relevant laws; holding a master's degree or higher in a field related to taught subjects or educational management;

b) Having credibility, managerial skills, and experience teaching at secondary schools or university preparatory schools; having at least 5 years of experience in positions such as subject team leader or department head at secondary schools or university preparatory schools; must have been rated as satisfactorily completing tasks for at least three consecutive years before appointment.

4. Appointment, reappointment, and dismissal authority for the principal shall be carried out according to legal provisions.

b) Having reputation, management and administrative capacity of a school; having teaching experience at secondary or pre-university level; holding a position from department head or higher for at least 5 years in a secondary or pre-university school; before appointment, must have been evaluated as satisfactorily completing duties or better for at least three consecutive years.

4. The authority to appoint, reappoint, and remove the Principal shall be carried out in accordance with legal provisions.

Article 6. Deputy Director

1. The Deputy Director of a preparatory university school assists the Director in managing and operating the activities of the institution according to the assignment by the Director; is responsible before the Director and under the law for the tasks assigned.

2. Duties and rights of the Deputy Director

a) Directly oversees certain areas of work as assigned by the Director, manages and operates the activities of the school when authorized by the Director, and is responsible to the Director and under the law for the work carried out; reports to the Director on the implementation status of the tasks assigned.

b) Engages in self-study and professional development to enhance expertise and management capabilities; participates in teaching courses as stipulated by the regulations for Deputy Directors of preparatory university schools (except when the Deputy Director is not a teacher); receives training to improve qualifications, professional development, and benefits according to legal provisions.

3. Qualifications for Deputy Director

a) Possesses good political qualities and ethics; has management and administrative capabilities; meets the standards approved by competent authorities for the position of Deputy Director and other relevant regulations of the Party and laws;

b) A Deputy Director responsible for managing educational activities must hold a master's degree or higher in a field related to the taught subjects or education administration, with professional expertise and at least five years of teaching experience at secondary school level or preparatory university. In cases where the Deputy Director does not manage educational activities, they must have a bachelor’s degree or higher. If the Deputy Director is also a teacher, they must meet the standards for preparatory university teachers as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training.

4. The authority to appoint, reappoint, and dismiss Deputy Directors of preparatory universities shall be carried out in accordance with legal provisions.

Article 7. Functional Departments

1. The establishment of functional departments at a preparatory university must meet the criteria set forth by law regarding the formation, restructuring, or dissolution of public service units. Based on their functions, tasks, student scale, and decisions made by directly managing state agencies, preparatory universities may organize functional departments to handle various areas of work including: administrative management; human resources organization; professional management, quality assurance, scientific research; planning and finance; student affairs.

2. Duties of functional departments

a) Provide advice and assist the Director in organizing and implementing tasks within their assigned area of work. The duties of each functional department are defined by the Director according to their functions and tasks;

b) Manage teachers and educational support staff as assigned by the Director.

3. Each functional department has a head, with the number of deputy heads in each department following legal provisions. Heads and deputy heads are appointed by the Director. The duties and rights of heads and deputy heads are defined by the Director.

4. Heads and deputy heads must possess good political qualities and ethics; meet the standards approved by competent authorities for their positions, other relevant regulations of the Party and laws; have a bachelor's degree or higher. For heads and deputy heads responsible for managing educational activities, ensuring educational quality, and scientific research work, they must meet the professional standards for preparatory university teachers as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 8. Subject Matter Teams

1. Subject matter teams are organized according to subjects or groups of subjects. Based on the specific circumstances of the school, the Rector decides to establish subject matter teams.

2. Tasks of subject matter teams

a) Participate in building the educational plan of the school; build and implement the team's activity plan; guide the construction and management of individual plans for members within the team;

b) Participate in building teaching content and supplementary materials, learning resources according to the Program of Supplementary Subjects for University Preparation issued by the Ministry of Education and Training;

c) Organize professional activities to implement the school's educational plan; manage teachers assigned by the Rector;

d) Participate in evaluating and classifying teachers based on the standards for university preparatory teachers as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training;

e) Conduct professional meetings at least once every two weeks or as required by work demands or when requested by the Rector. Subject matter teams operate according to democratic principles, respecting, sharing, learning from, and helping each other among members to develop their professional capabilities;

f) Carry out other tasks assigned by the Rector.

3. Each subject matter team has a team leader; the number of deputy leaders in each subject matter team is determined according to legal provisions. The team leader and deputy leaders are appointed or designated by the Rector, and they are under the management and direction of the Rector.

4. Team leaders and deputy leaders must have good political qualities and ethics; meet the standards for university preparatory teachers as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training; meet the criteria approved by competent authorities and relevant regulations of the Party and laws; possess professional capabilities and skills.

Article 9. Advisory Boards

Advisory boards are established based on specific requirements of each task. The establishment, tasks, powers, composition, and duration of advisory boards are determined by the Rector in accordance with legal provisions.

Article 10. Classes

Students are organized into classes; each class must have at least 30 students but no more than 45 students, depending on actual conditions and school size. Each class has one class teacher.

Article 11. The Communist Party of Vietnam Organization and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Organization

The Communist Party of Vietnam Organization and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Organization in preparatory university high schools operate according to the Charter of their respective organizations within the framework of the Constitution and laws.

Chapter III

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANIZATION

Article 12. Education Plan

Preparatory university high schools develop an education plan for each academic year to implement the curriculum of preparatory university courses issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 13. Teaching Materials

Preparatory university high schools organize the compilation, approval of teaching materials that concretize the curriculum of preparatory university courses issued by the Ministry of Education and Training for use in instruction.

Article 14. Special Educational Activities

Special educational activities in preparatory university high schools include cultural education of ethnic groups, vocational guidance, and experiential activities. Preparatory university high schools develop plans and contents for special educational activities to be carried out during and outside class hours, both within and beyond the school premises, with the aim of preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic groups and enhancing students' skills.

Article 15. Student Care, Nourishment, and Management

1. Preparatory university high schools may organize collective dining for students if food safety conditions and other stipulated requirements are met.

2. Preparatory university high schools implement school health services to care for the health of students as prescribed.

3. Preparatory university high schools comprehensively manage students' academic performance, meals, accommodation, and travel during their study period; organize and manage residential life activities in accordance with regulations; guide, inspect, and urge students to engage in self-study and adhere to living routines at the dormitory area; educate students on mutual assistance and support in studies, fostering civilized lifestyles, maintaining hygiene, and protecting the environment.

Chapter IV

DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF TEACHERS, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT STAFF, AND STUDENTS; FINANCE AND ASSETS; RELATIONS BETWEEN THE SCHOOL, FAMILY, AND SOCIETY

Article 16. Standards, Rights and Obligations of Teachers

1. Teacher Standards

Teachers at preparatory university schools must meet the professional standards for preparatory university teachers corresponding to their current positions as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. Rights and Obligations of Teachers

a) Teachers at preparatory university schools shall implement rights and obligations in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Teachers; perform tasks corresponding to their positions as preparatory university teachers according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

b) Teachers engaged in class advisor work

- Shall carry out rights and obligations as stipulated in point a, Clause 2 of this Article;

- Are entitled to observe classes and other educational activities of their assigned class;

- May attend meetings of the award council and disciplinary council when considering and resolving issues related to students in their assigned class;

- Shall participate in training courses, conferences, and specialized sessions on class advisor work;

- Have the right to grant leave for up to three consecutive days to students with valid reasons as prescribed by the school;

- Are entitled to a reduced teaching load according to current regulations;

- Shall enjoy benefits and policies for teachers engaged in class advisor work under current laws.

Article 17. Standards, Rights and Obligations of Educational Support Staff

1. Standards of Educational Support Staff

Educational support staff at preparatory university schools must meet the standards regarding moral character, professional competence, vocational skills, educational qualifications, and training corresponding to their positions as approved by competent authorities.

2. Rights and Obligations of Educational Support Staff

a) Shall perform assigned tasks in accordance with the division of labor by the Principal or persons authorized by the Principal, consistent with their position and unit activity plans; cooperate with teachers and other staff during task implementation to support teaching and educational activities within the school; report as required; participate in training and development to enhance political, professional, and vocational qualifications; carry out additional tasks assigned by the Principal;

b) Shall enjoy rights of workers and civil servants (if they are civil servants) according to legal provisions; be eligible for training and development to improve professional and vocational skills as required by their positions; receive job-related allowances and other benefits and policies under current laws;

c) Shall fulfill obligations of workers and civil servants (if they are civil servants) in accordance with legal provisions; ensure that professional activities comply with educational goals, principles, and standards; maintain moral character, reputation, dignity, personality, and ethics appropriate to the educational environment; cooperate with teachers in managing students within the school; participate in building a safe, democratic, innovative, and creative educational environment.

Article 18. Duties and Rights of University Preparatory Students

1. The duties and rights of university preparatory students shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Education Law and other relevant legal regulations.

2. University preparatory students are entitled to register for and participate in university and college entrance examinations according to their preferences.

3. University preparatory students are eligible for scholarships, financial support, and other preferential policies as stipulated by law.

Article 19. Physical Facilities, Teaching Equipment, Finance, and Assets

1. A university preparatory school must ensure the minimum standard of physical facilities equivalent to a secondary high school and a list of teaching equipment corresponding to the curriculum for university preparatory courses issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, as well as other relevant legal regulations.

2. The finance and assets of a university preparatory school shall be managed and utilized in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and directives from directly supervising state agencies.

Article 20. Relations between School, Family, and Society

1. A university preparatory school must implement transparency rules for educational institutions within the national education system to inform students, parents of students, and society about the activities of the school and allow them to participate in monitoring these activities.

2. The school shall proactively coordinate with families of students to enhance management and education effectiveness.

3. The school shall collaborate with local authorities, social organizations, political and social groups, and relevant individuals to create a unified educational environment aimed at achieving educational goals and principles; mobilize community forces and resources for the education cause, build a healthy and safe educational environment, prevent activities that negatively impact students; provide conditions for university preparatory students to participate in cultural, artistic, and sports movements to preserve and promote national cultural identity.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

Article 21. Directly Supervising State Agencies of University Preparatory Schools

1. Guide university preparatory schools in implementing this Regulation.

2. Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and Training to evaluate conditions ensuring annual enrollment targets for university preparatory schools.

Article 22. Provincial People's Committees and Municipal People's Committees under the Central Government

Shall implement territorial management over university preparatory schools located within their administrative areas in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 23. University Preparatory Schools

1. Shall organize the implementation of the regulations set forth in this Charter; shall conduct internal self-inspection on the implementation of the Charter; and shall be responsible for reporting to the directly supervising state management agencies and competent authorities regarding the fulfillment of tasks and educational quality.

2. Shall cooperate with higher education institutions and colleges in university and college admissions work for students who have completed their preparatory studies as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

3. Shall coordinate with localities and higher education institutions to accept students under special admission quotas or preferential direct admission to universities but must undergo preparatory training according to legal provisions.

4. Shall cooperate with the local authorities where the school is located to ensure security, order, and safety of the educational institution./.