Circular No. 40/2015/TT-BLDTBXH stipulates the standards for professional expertise, vocational skills, and working conditions of teachers teaching at the primary level.

 CIRCULAR

Regulations on standards for professional qualifications and working conditions of primary level vocational teachers

Pursuant to the Labor Code dated June 18, 2012;

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to the Law on Vocational Education dated November 27, 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. 106/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs;

Pursuant to Decision No. 188/1999/QĐ-TTg dated September 17, 1999 of the Prime Minister on the 40-hour workweek system;

At the proposal of the Director General of the Vocational Training Administration;

The Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs issues this Circular on standards and working conditions for primary level vocational teachers.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates standards for professional qualifications and duties, and working conditions for primary level vocational teachers (hereinafter referred to as teachers) at vocational training centers, vocational training centers - regular education centers, secondary technical schools, colleges, enterprises registered to operate primary level vocational education (hereinafter referred to as vocational education institutions).

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to primary level vocational teachers, management staff participating in teaching primary level courses at vocational education institutions; relevant agencies, units, individuals, and organizations.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

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

1. Standards for professional qualifications of primary level vocational teachers are a set of basic requirements regarding professional qualities and capabilities that teachers need to achieve in order to meet the objectives of primary level vocational education.

2. Criteria are specific contents of the standards, reflecting the qualities and capabilities of teachers.

3. Basic standard are specific requirements of criteria. Each standard includes evaluation indicators.

4. Vocational skill certificates are certificates, diplomas, and certifications of vocational skill levels issued to individuals.

Article 4. Objectives of issuing standards for professional qualifications of teachers

1. To serve as a basis for developing training goals, curricula, and training programs aimed at improving the quality of teachers in vocational education institutions.

2. To help teachers self-assess their political qualities, moral conduct, lifestyle, and professional capabilities, thereby formulating plans for study, practice, and efforts to enhance their moral character, professional knowledge, and skills.

3. To serve as a basis for annual teacher evaluations, supporting planning, utilization, training, and development of the teaching workforce.

4. To serve as a basis for establishing policies and benefits for teachers in vocational education institutions.

Article 5. Criterion 1: Political qualities, professional ethics, and lifestyle

1. Standard 1: Political qualities

a) Strictly adhere to the Party's guidelines and policies, state laws;

b) Continuously study to enhance political awareness;

c) Have a sense of organizational discipline; have a sense of collectivism, striving for common interests; resolutely combat and prevent violations of laws and professional regulations;

d) Set an example in fulfilling civic duties, actively participate in social activities.

2. Standard 2: Professional ethics

a) Love the profession, be passionate about it; maintain personal integrity, honor, reputation, conscience as a teacher; cooperate with colleagues, build a team to achieve educational goals;

b) Be dedicated to work; care for and respect students, help them overcome difficulties in learning and training, protect their legitimate rights and interests;

c) Be fair in teaching and education; be objective in assessing students' abilities;

d) Adhere to the charter, regulations, and internal rules of the unit, institution, and industry; practice thrift, oppose corruption, waste, and false achievements; regularly and seriously engage in criticism and self-criticism.

3. Standard 3: Lifestyle and demeanor

a) Have ideals, purposes, and willpower to strive upward, continuously strive with pure motives and creative thinking; practice diligence, frugality, honesty, fairness, and impartiality according to President Ho Chi Minh's moral example;

b) Live a healthy, modest, friendly, and harmonious lifestyle with colleagues; support and encourage civilized and progressive lifestyles, criticize outdated and selfish behaviors;

c) Demonstrate scientific work habits; dress simply and respectfully when performing duties; show civilized, respectful, and appropriate behavior in social interactions, communication with colleagues, students, parents, and the public; handle tasks objectively, attentively, and thoroughly;

d) Build a cultured family; follow cultural practices in public places.

Article 6. Criterion 2: Professional Competence

1. Standard 1: Professional Knowledge

a) Hold a diploma or higher from a vocational college in a relevant field corresponding to the teaching profession; Possess knowledge about the subject matter, module, and practical production experience of the profession;

b) Have a minimum level of proficiency in a common foreign language at Level 1 as prescribed in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Education and Training on the Six-Level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam or equivalent;

c) Achieve basic information technology skills standards as prescribed in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications on Basic Information Technology Skill Standards;

2. Standard 2: Vocational Skills

a) Hold one of the following vocational skill certificates to teach the primary level: National Vocational Skill Certificate Level 1 or Master Craftsperson Level 3/7, 2/6, or Provincial/Central City Artisan, or a diploma from a vocational college, or a vocational skill certificate at the intermediate level or higher;

b) Proficiently perform vocational skills as specified in the module, course, or program curriculum assigned for teaching; know how to organize labor production and services of the assigned profession; be well-versed in occupational safety and hygiene techniques;

Article 7. Criterion 3: Pedagogical Competence

1. Standard 1: Pedagogical Qualification and Teaching Experience

a) Hold a bachelor's degree in technical education or an associate degree in technical education, or have a vocational teaching certificate for primary level vocational training or a Primary Level Pedagogical Certificate or equivalent;

b) Have at least six months of teaching experience in vocational education;

2. Standard 2: Preparation for Teaching Activities

a) Develop a teaching plan for modules, courses, or programs based on the overall training program of the course;

b) Prepare lesson plans according to regulations, demonstrating teaching and learning activities;

c) Select appropriate teaching methods suitable for each lesson of the assigned course, module, or program;

d) Prepare all necessary teaching aids, equipment, raw materials, and supplies for practical exercises; be able to make common teaching aids independently;

3. Standard 3: Implementation of Teaching Activities

a) Organize teaching in accordance with the training profession and the characteristics of each student group; fully implement the teaching schedule as per the program and content;

b) Conduct theoretical, practical, and integrated lessons according to the lesson plan, ensuring the standard of knowledge, skills, and attitudes as prescribed;

c) Apply and coordinate various teaching methods to promote students' initiative, creativity, and self-study abilities;

d) Proficiently use teaching aids and equipment to enhance teaching effectiveness and quality; apply information technology in teaching;

4. Standard 4: Assessment and Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

a) Select and design assessment tools for evaluating students' learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are appropriate to the assigned course, module, or program;

b) Conduct comprehensive, accurate, educational assessments in accordance with regulations;

5. Standard 5: Management of Teaching Records

a) Fully comply with regulations regarding the use of forms, ledgers, and teaching records;

b) Properly store, manage, and utilize teaching records as prescribed;

6. Standard 6: Development of Programs, Compilation of Textbooks, and Teaching Materials

a) Understand the basis, principles, requirements, and procedures for developing primary-level training programs;

b) Possess the ability to participate in compiling and revising primary-level training programs and vocational upgrading programs consistent with the principles and objectives of the program; participate in compiling textbooks and teaching materials for primary-level training;

7. Standard 7: Planning and Implementing Educational Activities

a) Develop educational plans for students through teaching and other activities;

b) Implement moral and professional attitude education through teaching subjects, modules, or programs as planned;

c) Apply psychological and educational knowledge to conduct educational activities for students at vocational education institutions;

d) Accurately, fairly, and effectively evaluate students' moral development results as prescribed;

8. Standard 8: Student Management, Building Educational and Learning Environments

a) Manage information related to students and effectively use this information for education, teaching, and student management;

b) Create a healthy, convenient, democratic, and cooperative educational and learning environment;

9. Standard 9: Social Activities

a) Collaborate with students' families and communities to encourage, support, and monitor their studies and training; contribute to mobilizing social resources to build and develop vocational education institutions;

b) Actively participate in social activities both within and outside vocational education institutions, contributing to building relationships between institutions and businesses to develop vocational education institutions and foster vocational training initiatives in society;

Article 8. Criterion 4: Professional Development Capacity

1. Regularly observe classes, exchange teaching experiences with colleagues, and actively participate in teaching contests at various levels;

2. Actively participate in colleague training according to the development requirements of departments and specialized teams;

3. Participate in training and upgrading courses while continuously engaging in self-study, training, and improving professional and ethical qualities;

4. Actively innovate teaching methods to continuously improve efficiency and meet the requirements of vocational education.

Article 9. Tasks

1. Teaching work, including:

a) Preparing for teaching: drafting lesson plans, outlining lecture outlines, preparing materials and equipment to serve the teaching of modules, subjects, and courses assigned;

b) Teaching modules, subjects, and courses according to the plan and regulations of the program;

c) Evaluating students' learning outcomes: preparing exams and quizzes; supervising exams and quizzes; grading exams and quizzes.

2. Compiling textbooks and teaching materials; providing comments on the development of programs, module contents, subjects, and courses assigned for teaching;

3. Participating in designing and building specialized classrooms; designing, improving, and making educational vocational equipment.

4. Organizing educational activities and training students.

5. Studying, standardizing, and enhancing qualifications; observing classes, exchanging teaching experiences; practicing at enterprises, participating in professional activities.

6. Participating in training teachers according to requirements for professional development.

7. Participating in training management, student management.

8. Performing other tasks as prescribed and required by the vocational education institution.

Article 10. Standard hours, teaching time, teaching hour quota, class size

1. A standard hour is a unit of time converted from the number of hours of labor necessary before, during, and after teaching to complete teaching tasks including: preparing for teaching, teaching, and periodically assessing the learning outcomes of modules, subjects, and courses.

2. Teaching time in the training plan is calculated in standard hours, including:

a) One theoretical teaching hour is 45 minutes equivalent to one standard hour;

b) One integrated teaching hour (combining both theory and practice) is 45 minutes equivalent to one standard hour;

c) One practical teaching hour is 60 minutes equivalent to one standard hour.

3. The lecture hour quota is determined as the number of standard hours that each teacher must teach, specified annually.

4. Class size: Theoretical classes should not exceed 35 students. Practical and integrated classes should not exceed 18 students for ordinary trades; not more than 10 students for heavy, hazardous, and dangerous trades according to the List issued by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs. The head of the vocational education institution decides the specific number of students in each class, ensuring suitability with the characteristics of each trade.

Article 11. Working hours, annual leave

1. The working hours of primary level teachers are 46 weeks/year under a 40-hour workweek system, including:

a) Teaching and educating students: 42 weeks;

b) Studying, standardizing, and enhancing qualifications; observing classes, exchanging teaching experiences; practicing at enterprises, participating in professional activities: 04 weeks.

In cases where teachers do not fully utilize time for training, standardization improvement, advanced enhancement; observing classes, exchanging teaching experiences; interning at enterprises, participating in professional activities as stipulated, the head of the vocational education institution shall convert the remaining time into teaching duties or other assigned tasks.

2. Annual leave for teachers is 6 weeks; for managerial staff who also teach, as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 12 of this Circular, is 5 weeks, including summer vacation, Tet holiday, and public holidays, wherein:

a) Summer vacation replaces annual leave, with full salary and allowances (if applicable);

b) Other leave benefits are implemented according to current laws.

Based on the academic year plan and specific conditions of each vocational education institution, the head of the vocational education institution shall arrange appropriate rest periods for teachers.

Article 12. Teaching hour quota for teachers

1. The teaching hour quota for primary level teachers in one academic year: From 500 to 580 standard hours.

The head of the vocational education institution shall determine the teaching hours for each teacher in an academic year based on actual circumstances, characteristics of each module, subject, course, teaching experience, and qualifications, ensuring appropriateness.

2. The teaching hour quota for managerial staff meeting the criteria and participating in teaching during the academic year is specified as follows:

a) Director: 30 hours/year;

b) Deputy Director: 40 hours/year;

c) Head of Training Department or equivalent: 60 hours/year;

d) Deputy Head of Training Department or equivalent: 70 hours/year;

đ) Staff of the Training Department: 80 hours/year.

Article 13. Overtime Teaching System for Teachers

1. During the academic year, teachers and management staff participating in teaching who exceed the prescribed teaching hours set forth in Clause 1 and 2, Article 12 of this Circular shall be considered to be teaching overtime.

2. For teachers: The number of overtime teaching hours shall not exceed 200 hours in one academic year.

3. For management staff participating in teaching: The number of overtime teaching hours shall not exceed half of the prescribed teaching hours.

4. The method of calculating additional teaching hour pay according to current regulations.

Article 14. Reduced Teaching Hours System for Teachers

1. Teachers engaged in management work:

a) Class Head: Shall be reduced by 15% of the prescribed teaching hours per class;

b) Teacher responsible for specialized classrooms/workshops: With dedicated staff, shall be reduced by 10% of the prescribed teaching hours per classroom, workshop; without dedicated staff, shall be reduced by 15% of the prescribed teaching hours per classroom, workshop;

c) No reduction in teaching hours for management staff specified in Clause 2, Article 11.

2. Teachers concurrently performing Party and mass organization work:

a) Teachers concurrently serving as Secretary of the Grassroots Party Branch, Secretary of the Trade Union of Vocational Education Institutions shall be reduced by 20-30% of the prescribed teaching hours; teachers concurrently serving as deputy to the aforementioned positions shall be reduced by 15-20% of the prescribed teaching hours;

b) Teachers concurrently serving as Youth League Secretary, Deputy Youth League Secretary shall enjoy benefits and policies according to Decision No. 13/2013/QĐ-TTg dated February 6, 2013 of the Prime Minister on benefits and policies for cadres of the Communist Youth Union of Vietnam, Vietnam Student Association, Vietnam Youth Federation in educational institutions and vocational education institutions;

c) Teachers concurrently holding multiple positions shall be reduced up to a maximum of 45% of the prescribed teaching hours. Depending on the scale of the vocational education institution and the number of members in each organization, after consultation with relevant organizations, the head of the vocational education institution shall decide the percentage of reduced teaching hours for the positions specified in Point a and Point b of this Clause.

3. Other Reduced Teaching Hours:

a) Teachers during their probationary period or trial period shall be reduced by 30% of the prescribed teaching hours;

b) Female teachers with children under 12 months old shall be reduced by 15% of the prescribed teaching hours.

Article 15. Conversion of Other Professional Activities into Standard Hours

1. Teaching:

a) Simultaneous teaching in multiple classes with the same program and level, from the third class onwards: One hour of theory is equivalent to 0.75 standard hours;

b) Time spent designing, improving, and making vocational education equipment (approved at the department level or higher) shall be converted into standard hours; the head of the vocational education institution shall determine the number of standard hours based on specific conditions;

c) Teaching, guiding, and enhancing the professional skills of other teachers within the vocational education institution: One hour is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours.

2. Preparing examination questions, supervising examinations, grading examinations at the end of modules, subjects, or courses:

a) Preparing written examination questions: One written examination question with answers is equivalent to 1 standard hour; one multiple-choice examination question with answers is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours; one oral examination question with answers is equivalent to 0.25 standard hours; one practical examination question with answers is equivalent to 0.5 standard hours;

b) Supervising examinations: One hour of examination supervision is equivalent to 0.3 standard hours;

c) Grading examinations: Written examinations and multiple-choice examinations: 0.1 standard hour per paper; Oral examinations: 0.2 standard hour per student; Practical examinations: 0.2 standard hour per student.

3. Preparing examination papers, supervising examinations, grading examinations at the end of the academic year:

a) Preparing examination papers: One written examination paper with answers is equivalent to 2 standard hours; one multiple-choice examination paper with answers is equivalent to 2.5 standard hours; one oral examination paper with answers is equivalent to 0.5 standard hours; one practical examination paper with answers is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours;

b) Supervising examinations: One hour of examination supervision is equivalent to 0.5 standard hours;

c) Grading examinations: Written examinations and multiple-choice examinations: 0.2 standard hour per paper; Oral examinations: 0.4 standard hour per student; Practical examinations: 0.4 standard hour per student.

4. Guiding internships combined with production work: One working day (8 hours) is equivalent to 2.5 to 3 standard hours depending on the nature of the work and specific working conditions.

5. One hour of exam preparation for students participating in skill competitions at various levels is equivalent to 1.5 standard hours.

6. Compiling textbooks and teaching materials: One page of original compilation is equivalent to 1 standard hour; one page of revised compilation or contracted work is equivalent to 0.5 standard hours, paid according to current regulations.

7. The head of the vocational education institution shall specify the conversion of other professional activities into standard hours for calculating the teaching load of each teacher.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 16. Responsibilities of Ministries, sectors, political-social organizations, People's Committees of provinces/cities directly under the Central Government

1. Direct and inspect the implementation of teacher evaluation and classification according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs and the provisions of this Circular for vocational education institutions under their management, report the results to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs (General Department of Vocational Training); based on the evaluation results, develop or approve training and upgrading plans to standardize and improve the quality of teachers at vocational education institutions under their management.

2. Guide and inspect vocational education institutions in implementing working conditions for primary level teachers.

Article 17. Responsibilities of vocational education institutions

1. Vocational education institutions organize teacher evaluation and classification according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs and the provisions of this Circular, report the results to higher-level management agencies; based on the evaluation results, develop training and upgrading plans or propose appropriate solutions to higher-level management agencies to improve teacher quality.

2. Vocational education institutions implement working conditions for primary level teachers based on the provisions of this Circular.

Article 18. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from December 5, 2015.

2. The provisions regarding the standards for primary level vocational teachers stipulated in Article 4, point a, Clause 1 and point a, Clause 2 of Article 5, Article 6, Clause 1 of Article 7 of Circular No. 30/2010/TT-BLDTBXH dated September 29, 2010 issued by the Minister of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs on the standards for vocational teachers and lecturers; the provisions regarding working conditions for primary level vocational teachers stipulated in Part III of Circular No. 09/2008/TT-BLDTBXH dated June 27, 2008 issued by the Minister of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs guiding the working conditions of vocational teachers cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

3. During the implementation process, if there are difficulties, please reflect them to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for guidance./.