Circular No. 42/2026/TT-BGDĐT Guiding the Implementation of Certain Criteria under the National Standards for New Rural Areas and Conditions for Provinces, Cities to Complete Tasks in Building New Rural Areas from 2026-2030 within the Scope of Management by the Ministry of Education and Training

 

CIRCULAR

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN CRITERIA CONTENTS UNDER THE NATIONAL CRITERIA FOR NEW RURAL TOWNS AND CONDITIONS UNDER THE REGULATIONS OF PROVINCES AND COMMUNES COMPLETING TASKS FOR BUILDING NEW RURAL TOWNS PHASE 2026-2030 WITHIN THE SCOPE OF

GOVERNMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

 

BASED ON DECREE NO. 37/2025/NĐ-CP DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2025 OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS REGULATING THE FUNCTION, MISSION, POWERS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING;

BASED ON DECREE NO. 51/2025/QĐ-TTg DATED DECEMBER 29, 2025 OF THE PRIME MINISTER ISSUING THE NATIONAL CRITERIA FOR NEW RURAL TOWNS PHASE 2026-2030;

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROPOSAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE VOCATIONAL AND ADULT EDUCATION DIVISION;

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING ISSUES THIS CIRCULAR TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN CRITERIA CONTENTS UNDER THE NATIONAL CRITERIA FOR NEW RURAL TOWNS AND CONDITIONS UNDER THE REGULATIONS OF PROVINCES AND COMMUNES COMPLETING TASKS FOR BUILDING NEW RURAL TOWNS PHASE 2026-2030 WITHIN THE SCOPE OF

GOVERNMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 1. Scope of Application This Circular provides guidelines for the implementation of certain criterion contents under the National Criteria for New Rural Towns and conditions under the Regulations of Provinces and Communes Completing Tasks for Building New Rural Towns Phase 2026-2030 within the scope of governmental management of the Ministry of Education and Training as specified in Annex
I and Annex III to Decree No. 51/2025/QĐ-TTg dated December 29, 2025 of the Prime Minister issuing the National Criteria for New Rural Towns Phase 2026-2030 (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 51/2025/QĐ-TTg), including:
1. Criterion content “4.2. Proportion of people within the age group enrolled in education levels after secondary school” (Annex I to Decree No. 51/2025/QĐ-TTg).
2. Criterion content “5.2. Rural town achieving educational development criteria” (Annex I to Decree No. 51/2025/QĐ-TTg).

3. Conditions “6. Achieving universal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 5; having at least 80% of secondary schools meeting national standards; completing compulsory education up to lower secondary level; proportion of people within the age group enrolled in education levels after secondary school reaching over 50% according to guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Training” (Annex III to Decree No. 51/2025/QĐ-TTg).

ARTICLE 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to:

People's Committees (UBND) of provinces, cities, UBND of communes, educational and training institutions, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in the implementation of certain criterion contents and conditions specified in Article 1 of this Circular.

ARTICLE 3. Implementation Principles  1. Ensure specific implementation of Party resolutions, Government decisions, and align with the development conditions of each locality's economy and society.

2. Ensure fairness in access to education and inherit the achievements of the National Program for Building New Rural Towns Phase 2021-2025.

3. Integrate digital transformation and enhance the quality of education and training. The implementation and evaluation of educational and training criteria must prioritize the application of digital transformation. 4. Mobilize resources and the political system's attention at all levels in guiding, supporting, and supervising the implementation.

2. To ensure fairness in access to education and to inherit the achievements of the National Program for Building New Rural Areas (2021-2025).

3. Linking with digital transformation and enhancing the quality of education and training. The implementation and evaluation of criteria related to education and training must prioritize the application of digital transformation.

4. Mobilizing resources and political system attention at all levels in guiding, supporting, and supervising the implementation.

Chapter II

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING CERTAIN CRITERIA CONTENT

BELONGING TO THE NATIONAL STANDARDS CRITERIA FOR NEW RURAL COMMUNITIES

PHASE 2026 - 2030

Article 4. Content of the criteria

1. The content of the criterion "4.2. Proportion of people in working age pursuing education levels after secondary education":

A rural community is deemed to have met the content of the criterion "4.2. Proportion of people in working age pursuing education levels after secondary education" when it meets the following requirements:

a)Rural Community Group 1: 60%;

b)Rural Community Group 2: 50%;

c)Rural Community Group 3: 40%.

2. The content of the criterion "5.2. Rural community meets the criteria for educational development":A rural community is deemed to have met the content of the criterion "5.2. Rural community meets the criteria for educational development" when it meets the following requirements:

ContentRequirements for each group of rural communitiesRural Community Group 1

1. Proportion of people in working age pursuing education levels after secondary education: a) Definition.

The proportion of people in working age pursuing education levels after secondary education (THPT) is the percentage ratio between the number of individuals aged 18 to 22 who have completed the THPT program and are pursuing further education (vocational, college, or university) compared to the total number of individuals aged 18 to 22 who have completed the THPT program.

Among which:

For those pursuing multiple levels (vocational, college, or university), the highest level is considered.

Individuals who have completed the THPT program include those who have received a certificate of completion of general education and those who have obtained a high school diploma;

b) Calculation/Assessment Method

Proportion of people in working age pursuing education levels after secondary education (%)

Number of individuals aged 18 to 22 who have completed the THPT program and are pursuing further education (vocational, college, or university)

x 100

2. Proportion of schools at all levels (kindergarten, primary school, junior high school or secondary school with multiple levels having the highest level as junior high school) meeting national standards:

a) Definition

The proportion of schools at all levels (kindergarten, primary school, junior high school (JHS) or secondary school with multiple levels having the highest level as JHS) meeting national standards is the percentage ratio between the number of schools at all levels that meet national standards compared to the total number of schools at all levels that are eligible for operation time and meet the requirements to be considered a national standard school according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Among which: Kindergarten, primary school, JHS, secondary school with multiple levels having the highest level as JHS meeting national standards shall comply with current regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training;

b) Calculation/Assessment Method

Proportion of schools at all levels (kindergarten, primary school, junior high school or secondary school with multiple levels having the highest level as junior high school) meeting national standards (%)

Number of schools at all levels that meet national standards

x 100

3. Achieving universal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 5 years:

Standards, conditions, and procedures for recognizing provinces/cities, rural communities/villages as achieving universal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 5 years are provided in Decision No. 277/2025/NĐ-CP dated October 20, 2025 of the Government, which details the implementation of Resolution No. 218/2025/QH15 dated June 26, 2025 of the National Assembly on universal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 5 years.

4. Maintaining and improving quality in achieving universal pre-school education for children aged 5 to 6 years:

Standards, conditions, and procedures

for recognizing provinces/cities, rural communities/villages as maintaining and improving the quality of achieving universal pre-school education for children aged 5 to 6 years are provided in Decree No. 20/2014/NĐ-CP dated March 24, 2014 of the Government and Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BGDĐT dated March 22, 2016 of the Minister of Education and Training. 5. Compulsory education completion at junior high school level:

a) Definition

Compulsory education completion at JHS level is education that all citizens within the specified age range are required to attend to achieve the minimum educational attainment as prescribed by law, and which the State ensures the conditions for implementation; b) Calculation/Assessment Method

Students recognized as having completed the JHS education program in the locality.

Proportion of students completing the JHS education program in the locality.

Proportion of students completing

b) Method of Calculation/Evaluation

Students are recognized as having completed the secondary education program locally.

The proportion of students who have completed the secondary education program locally.

Primary and secondary schools, including those with multiple levels, shall comply with the current provisions of the Ministry of Education and Training;

c) Documentation to support evaluation

Documentation for compulsory secondary education in the locality in accordance with the current provisions.

Report on the results of compulsory secondary education in the locality (in accordance with the prescribed format for compulsory education).

Decision recognizing compliance with the standards for compulsory education by the competent authority.

6. Proportion of individuals within the age group who have completed senior high school and equivalent levels:

a) Definition

The proportion of individuals within the age group who have completed senior high school and equivalent levels is the percentage ratio between the number of individuals who have completed senior high school and equivalent levels and the total number of individuals within the specified age group.

Wherein: Individuals within the age group as defined in the School Regulations and other regulatory legal documents. The regulations for primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-level primary-secondary schools shall comply with the current provisions of the Ministry of Education and Training;

b) Method of calculation/evaluation, data source

c) Documentation to support evaluation

List confirming individuals within the age group who have completed the general education program or obtained a secondary school leaving certificate and are domiciled in the locality.

List confirming individuals within the specified age group and are domiciled in the locality.

7. Proportion of students completing primary school who continue to senior high school and other levels:

a) Definition

The proportion of students completing primary school who continue to senior high school and other levels is the percentage ratio between the number of students who have completed the primary education program and proceed to senior high school and other levels, and the total number of adolescents within the specified age group.

Wherein: Age of students who have completed the primary education program and continue to senior high school and other levels as defined in the School Regulations and other relevant documents. The regulations for primary schools, secondary schools, and multi-level primary-secondary schools shall comply with the current provisions of the Ministry of Education and Training;

b) Method of calculation/evaluation

c) Documentation to support evaluation

List confirming students who have completed the primary education program and are domiciled in the locality.

List confirming individuals within the specified age group and are domiciled in the locality.

8. Whether a community learning center has been upgraded to a digital learning center:

a) Definition

A community learning center that has been upgraded to a digital learning center is an entity that operates with the application of information technology, digital transformation in governance and operations, providing educational programs on a digital platform at a certain level;

b) Method of calculation/evaluation

A commune shall be deemed to have achieved this criterion when it meets at least 4 out of 6 indicators, with Indicator 03 being met according to each group of communes. The specific six indicators are as follows:

Indicator 1: Application of information technology in the management of community learning centers;

Indicator 2: Use of a software system for promoting, studying, and tracking study through both direct and online methods;

Indicator 3: Annually, corresponding to each group of communes (Group 3 communes, Group 2 communes, and Group 1 communes), mobilize at least 2%, 3%, and 5% respectively of the increase in the number of participants in general education programs at community learning centers. The specific calculation formula is as follows:

(Where: t is the number of participants in general education programs during school year t; t-1 is the number of participants in general education programs during school year t - 1.)

Indicator 4: System of electronic information platforms: website or system providing information on various online courses;

Indicator 5: At least 30%, 50%, and 70% (corresponding to Group 3 communes, Group 2 communes, and Group 1 communes respectively) have educational materials digitized and stored on a digital platform;

Indicator 6: At least 10%, 20%, and 30% (corresponding to Group 3 communes, Group 2 communes, and Group 1 communes respectively) in one year organize classes using online methods or blended learning between online and direct methods;

c) Documentation, data source.

9. Achieving Level 2 Literacy Standards:

a) The target group for literacy is individuals aged 15 to 60 who are illiterate, including people with disabilities who can access education. Among them, those achieving Level 1 literacy standards have completed Stage 1 of the National Literacy Program; Those achieving Level 2 literacy standards have completed Stage 2 of the National Literacy Program; b) Criteria for recognizing a commune as having achieved Level 2 literacy standards; conditions to be met and content, procedures, and processes for inspecting and recognizing communes that have achieved Level 2 literacy standards in accordance with current regulations by the Government and guidelines from the Minister of Education and Training on universal education and literacy.

Chapter III

GUIDANCE ON IMPLEMENTING CERTAIN CONDITIONS SPECIFIED BY THE PROVINCE OR CITY TO COMPLETE THE TASK OF BUILDING NEW VILLAGES PHASE 2026-2030

Article 6. Educational and Training Conditions

Achieving universal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 5; at least 80% of secondary schools meet national standards; completing compulsory basic education through junior high school; the proportion of people in the target age group enrolled in post-secondary education is 50% or more.

Article 7. Implementation Guidance

Achieving universal pre-school education for children aged 3 to 5
To be implemented according to the guidance at
Clause 3 of Paragraph 5
of this Circular..

2. Proportion of secondary schools meeting national standards:

Proportion of secondary schools meeting national standards (%)

Number of secondary schools that meet national standards

x 100

Total number of secondary schools eligible for operation time to be considered for recognition as a national standard school according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training

c) Documentation for Assessment

Clause

Decision Recognition of schools meeting national standards remains effective locally.

List of secondary schools that meet the time requirements for organizing educational activities, in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Education and Training, to be considered for recognition as a national standard school locally.

4. The proportion of people in the age group pursuing education levels after secondary education: Shall be implemented according to the guidance provided in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular.

Chapter IV

PROVISIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Article 8. Implementation Organization

1. Units under and directly subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Training shall bear responsibility for guiding the implementation and handling any arising issues (if any) related to the criteria within their management scope during the implementation process.

2. People's Committees of provinces, cities shall, based on the guidance provided in Chapter II of this Circular, concretely apply the content of the criteria to Group 1 communes, Group 2 communes, and Group 3 communes within their jurisdiction according to actual conditions and the economic-social development needs of the locality, ensuring that the requirements are not lower than the standard level; and based on the guidance provided in Chapter III of this Circular and local actual conditions, implement the conditions for provinces, cities to complete the tasks of building new rural areas during the 2026-2030 period within their jurisdiction.

Article 9. Effectiveness and Implementation Responsibility

1. This Circular shall take effect from May 29, 2026.

2. In case any vapplicable legislative provisions cited in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, implementation shall be carried out according to the amended, supplemented, or replacement document..

3. The Director of the Office of the Ministry, Head of the Planning and Finance Department, Director of the Vocational Education and General Education Department, Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces, Directors of Departments of Education and Training, heads of educational institutions and related organizations shall bear responsibility for implementing this Circular.

4. During implementation, if any issues arise, relevant agencies, units, organizations, and individuals are requested to report to the Ministry of Education and Training for research, amendment, or supplementation as appropriate./.