Circular No. 43/2026/TT-BGDĐT on Standards for Vocational Education Teachers

 

CIRCULAR

REGULATING STANDARDS FOR VET TEACHERS

 

BASED ON THE EDUCATION LAW NO. 43/2019/QH14 AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED BY THE LAW NO. 123/2025/QH15;

BASED ON THE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING LAW NO. 124/2025/QH15;

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

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF TEACHERS AND VET MANAGEMENT;

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING ISSUES THIS CIRCULAR REGULATING STANDARDS FOR VET TEACHERS.

 

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

ARTICLE 1. SCOPE OF APPLICATION

This Circular regulates the standards for vocational teachers, including: professional ethics standards; training level and practical skill proficiency standards; teaching ability standards; evaluation and recognition of practical skill and teaching ability of vocational teachers.

ARTICLE 2. APPLICABLE SUBJECTS

1. Vocational teachers as defined in paragraph 4 of Article 21 of the Vocational Education and Training Law No. 124/2025/QH15.

2. Vocational colleges, secondary vocational schools, secondary technical schools, vocational education centers, and higher education institutions implementing programs for higher vocational qualifications, secondary vocational qualifications, technical secondary education programs as defined in Article 7 of the Vocational Education and Training Law No. 124/2025/QH15 (hereinafter referred to as vocational education operating entities); enterprises, cooperatives; relevant organizations, individuals.

ARTICLE 3. EXPLANATION OF TERMS

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

1. Vocational teacher includes persons invited by vocational education operating entities to teach or guide practical training in one or more subjects of vocational education programs at enterprises and cooperatives; or those invited or dispatched by enterprises to teach or guide practical training at enterprises and cooperatives according to the cooperation program between vocational education operating entities and enterprises, cooperatives for organizing vocational education program training as prescribed.

2. Vocational education program includes higher vocational qualification programs, secondary vocational qualification programs, technical secondary education programs, basic vocational qualification programs, and other vocational training programs.

3. Outstanding farmer producer at the commune level or above is a household representative of farmers recognized by competent authorities as an outstanding farmer producer at the commune level or above according to the regulations of the Vietnam Farmers' Association.

4. Craftsperson includes Vietnamese Master Craftsman, Vietnamese Culinary Arts and Traditional Craftsmanship Master, and Skilled Worker, which are titles awarded by the Vietnam Handicrafts Association.

 

CHAPTER II

STANDARDS FOR VET TEACHERS

ARTICLE 4. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS STANDARDS

1. Maintain the qualities, reputation, and honor of a vocational teacher; demonstrate a sense of responsibility and passion for their profession; adhere to professional ethics standards in teaching and practical guidance.

2. Respect, treat fairly, and justly all students; provide objective evaluations based on actual abilities; ensure the lawful rights and interests of students and maintain confidentiality of student information as prescribed.

3. Comply with legal provisions; adhere to internal regulations and rules of vocational education operating entities and enterprises or cooperatives where they are engaged in teaching.

4. Adhere to safety, hygiene, labor protection standards; maintain technological, production process, and business secrets during teaching and practical guidance.

Article 5. Standards for Educational Qualification and Professional Competence

1. A vocational instructor who teaches theoretical programs at the college level, intermediate level, or vocational secondary education shall meet the qualification standards for college lecturers, intermediate teachers, and vocational secondary school teachers as stipulated in point a of clause 1, Article 22 of the Vocational Education Law.

2. A vocational instructor who teaches and guides practical training programs at the college level, intermediate level, or vocational secondary education; and teaches programs at the primary level shall meet one of the following standards:

a) Hold a college degree or higher for teaching and guiding practical training programs at the college level, intermediate level, or vocational secondary education; hold an intermediate qualification or higher for teaching programs at the primary level;

b) Meet the professional competence standards corresponding to the teaching qualifications of college lecturers, intermediate teachers, vocational secondary school teachers, and primary teachers as specified in the occupational qualification standards set by the Ministry of Education and Training;

c) Possess the professional competence as stipulated in clause 4 hereof.

3. A vocational instructor who teaches other vocational training programs shall meet one of the following criteria if they do not hold a degree, certificate, or certification as specified in points a and b of clauses 2 and 3 herein:

a) Hold a national level 1 occupational skill certificate; achieve a prize at a skills competition organized by ministries, sectors, or localities; possess a master craftsman certificate grade III/7, II/6 or higher; be a renowned farmer entrepreneur recognized by the commune; or have professional competence as specified in point d of clause 4 herein.

4. A vocational instructor who teaches and guides practical training programs at the college level, intermediate level, or vocational secondary education; teaches programs at the primary level, and other vocational training programs if they do not hold a degree, certificate, or certification as specified in points a and b of clauses 2 and 3 herein shall have professional competence corresponding to their teaching qualifications and be evaluated and recognized according to the provisions of Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular, specifically as follows: a) Teaching and guiding practical training programs at the college level: proficiently perform complex tasks in the field; analyze causes, handle, and propose solutions for situations arising in professional practice; update and apply new technologies in the field; organize, guide, and supervise students performing complex tasks in the field; ensure safety and occupational hygiene during implementation;

b) Teaching and guiding practical training programs at the intermediate level: proficiently perform tasks in the field; handle common situations in professional practice; guide students to perform tasks in the field; ensure safety and occupational hygiene during implementation;

c) Teaching and guiding practical training programs in vocational secondary education: proficiently perform basic tasks in the field; handle common professional situations within the scope of basic work in the profession; guide students performing basic skills in the field; ensure safety and occupational hygiene during implementation;

d) Teaching primary level programs and other vocational training programs: proficiently perform simple tasks in the profession; guide students to correctly perform basic operational procedures in the profession; ensure safety and occupational hygiene during implementation.

5. A vocational instructor who teaches both theoretical and practical training programs at the college level, intermediate level, or vocational secondary education shall simultaneously meet the provisions of clauses 1 and 2 herein corresponding to their teaching qualifications.

Article 6. Standards for Teaching Competence

A vocational instructor who teaches theoretical subjects or practical training programs at the college, secondary vocational, and apprenticeship education levels; or teaches primary-level and other vocational training programs shall meet one of the following standards: 1. Possess teaching competence corresponding to the level of instruction as stipulated by the Ministry of Education and Training for the professional standards of college lecturers, secondary vocational teachers, technical secondary school teachers, and primary school teachers.

2. Possess teaching competence corresponding to the level of instruction

and be evaluated and recognized in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 and Article 8 of this Circular, specifically as follows: a) Teaching college-level training programs: design, organize, and manage the teaching process according to the development orientation of learners' abilities; develop lesson plans for subjects or modules; guide learners to perform complex vocational tasks; prepare all necessary teaching aids, equipment, and materials; apply and integrate various teaching methods to promote active and creative learning among students; proficiently use teaching aids and equipment to enhance teaching effectiveness; evaluate student learning outcomes in accordance with the content of the subject or module intended for instruction;

b) Teaching secondary vocational education programs: develop lesson plans for subjects or modules; prepare all necessary teaching aids, equipment, and materials; apply and integrate several teaching methods to promote active and proactive participation among students; proficiently use basic teaching aids and equipment to enhance teaching effectiveness; guide learners to resolve workplace scenarios; evaluate student learning outcomes in accordance with the content of the subject or module intended for instruction;

c) Teaching primary-level training programs and other vocational training programs: develop lesson plans that align with training objectives; prepare all necessary teaching aids, equipment, and materials; select appropriate teaching methods; use basic teaching aids and equipment to enhance teaching effectiveness; organize and guide learners in performing basic operations and skills; evaluate student learning outcomes in accordance with the content of the subject or module intended for instruction.

Article

7. Vocational Competence and Teaching Competence Evaluation Board 1. A vocational education institution shall conduct evaluations of vocational competence and teaching competence for instructors in fields, trades, or groups of fields, trades that are licensed by the competent authority to operate such institutions.

2. The vocational education institution shall formulate a plan to use instructors and establish an Evaluation Board for Vocational Competence and Teaching Competence (hereinafter referred to as the "Board").

3. The Board consists of five or seven members, including: representatives from the leadership of the vocational education institution, educators with relevant professional expertise, and representatives from enterprises, cooperatives, public institutions, organizations operating in the field being evaluated, industry associations (if applicable), or experts not affiliated with the vocational education institution in related fields. Specifically:

a) The Board Chair is either the head or deputy of the leadership of the vocational education institution;

b) A member and Secretary of the Board represents the personnel department of the vocational education institution;

c) Other members have relevant professional expertise for the evaluation content; they must have at least three years of direct teaching experience or work experience in the field being evaluated.

4. The Board operates on a collective decision-making principle, making decisions by majority vote; in case of a tie, the decision is made according to the vote of the Board Chair. The Board has the following responsibilities and powers:

a) Based on training program standards issued by the Minister of Education and Training for groups or specific fields, or national vocational skill standards issued by competent authorities; based on evaluation plans formulated by the vocational education institution in accordance with Article 5 Paragraph 4 and Article 6 Paragraph 2 of this Circular, develop evaluation content or proposals, suggest evaluation methods, criteria, and grading scales for teaching competence and vocational competence that are appropriate to the training level and field where the instructor is involved. The content or proposal must be kept confidential as required by law;

b) Based on evidence of honors, achievements, awards, certificates, or practical experience in the profession, and actual teaching experience of the instructor, consider waiving or reducing evaluation content;

c) Report to the head of the vocational education institution for approval of the evaluation content or proposal and method before implementation;

d) Organize evaluations of vocational competence and teaching competence for instructors in accordance with Article 8 of this Circular to ensure accuracy, objectivity, and transparency;

e) Report the results of the evaluation to the head of the vocational education institution;

f) Propose recognition or non-recognition of vocational competence and teaching competence after completing the evaluation for the vocational education institution to consider and decide on the evaluation results; g) Resolve complaints regarding the organization of evaluations and their outcomes (if any); h) The Board shall dissolve itself upon completion of its tasks.

e) Resolving complaints regarding the organization of evaluations and their results (if any);

g) The Council shall dissolve itself after completing its tasks.

5. Based on practical circumstances, vocational education institutions may cooperate to establish a Joint Evaluation Board for Practical Skills and Teaching Competence (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Board). The head of one vocational education institution shall, with the written decision of participating institutions, agree to form the Joint Board and be responsible for organizing its activities. Among which:

a) The number of members of the Joint Board (an odd number) may exceed the provisions of Clause 3 of this Article at the discretion of the head of the vocational education institution; ensuring the composition structure as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article, including representation from participating vocational education institutions involved in cooperation;

b) The operational principles, duties, and powers of the Joint Board shall be implemented according to the provisions of Clause 4 of this Article;

c) The evaluation results of the Joint Board have common usage value for participating vocational education institutions;

d) The expenses required for the operation of the Joint Board are to be negotiated and agreed upon by participating vocational education institutions, ensuring transparency and openness, and implemented in accordance with relevant laws and internal financial regulations of the participating vocational education institutions.

6. No persons shall be appointed who have any of the following relationships: spouse, parents (including spouse), adoptive parents; children (including adopted); siblings; aunts, uncles, cousins, paternal or maternal grandparents; spouses of siblings of the instructor; those currently under disciplinary action or serving a disciplinary decision; and those previously disciplined for corruption or negative behavior in cadre work as members of the Board or Joint Board.

Article 8. Organization of Evaluation of Practical Skills and Teaching Competence

1. Based on the nature, characteristics of the profession, evidence specified at Point b of Clause 4 of Article 7 (if applicable), and requirements for teaching positions as to instructors, the head of a vocational education institution with authority may establish a Board or Joint Board to decide on one of three evaluation forms or a combination thereof: oral questioning, practical teaching demonstration, or skill practice.

2. The content or criteria for evaluation must reflect the requirements for practical skills and teaching competence corresponding to the teaching duties and training level as stipulated in Clause 4 of Article 5 and Clause 2 of this Circular; it should be specifically detailed into evaluation criteria and scoring system appropriate for each profession.

3. The results of the evaluation must be documented in a file, including at least: Evaluation minutes; evaluation comments from Board or Joint Board members; a document proposed by the Board Chair or Joint Board Chair recommending recognition or non-recognition of practical skills and teaching competence sent to the head of the vocational education institution for review and decision on recognition; relevant evidence documents (if applicable).

4. The file containing the evaluation results shall be stored in accordance with legal provisions by the vocational education institution, ensuring it serves management, inspection, and audit purposes.

5. Complaints and resolution of complaints regarding the organization of evaluations and their results are to be handled according to relevant laws; the vocational education institution is responsible for specifying specific procedures and time limits for complaint handling in its evaluation plan, ensuring objectivity and transparency.

6. The value of recognizing teaching competence as specified below:

a) An instructor recognized as meeting the standards for practical skills and teaching competence to teach training programs in vocational education shall be deemed qualified from the date the vocational education institution issues the recognition decision;

b) The recognition provided under point (a) of this clause continues to be maintained when the instructor directly teaches or guides practice according to plans or assignments by the vocational education institution, enterprise, cooperative, and is not interrupted for more than 12 consecutive months without direct teaching or guidance; it shall also be subject to evaluation by the vocational education institution on completion of duties in accordance with the organizational and operational regulations of the vocational education institution;

c) An instructor must evaluate their practical skills and teaching competence according to this Circular before continuing to teach if they fall under any of the following circumstances: an interruption for more than 12 consecutive months without direct teaching or guidance as per plans or assignments by the vocational education institution, enterprise, cooperative; a change in teaching or guiding practice to a different training level, profession, or group of professions from those already evaluated and recognized; or failure to be evaluated on completion of duties according to the organizational and operational regulations of the vocational education institution.

7. A vocational education institution may consider using an instructor based on recognition decisions issued by another vocational education institution without re-evaluation if such recognition continues to meet the provisions of Clause 6 of this Article, and the content and training level recognized are in line with teaching requirements.

In cases where necessary, a vocational education institution may organize additional evaluations for certain contents that do not require full re-evaluation.

 

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 4. Transitional Provisions 9. Clause 1. Vocational Trainers Currently Performing Teaching and Practical Guidance Duties

Paragraph 1. Vocational trainers who are currently performing teaching and practical guidance duties according to the training plan approved by the vocational education operation institution before the effective date of this Circular may continue to perform such duties based on the approved training plan without undergoing a re-evaluation, except where otherwise provided by law. For training plans approved by the vocational education operation institution after the effective date of this Circular, vocational trainers shall complete the standards specified in this Circular within 24 months from the effective date of this Circular. Paragraph 2. Vocational Trainers Possessing a Certificate of Teaching Skills Issued by an Authorized Agency

Paragraph 1. Vocational trainers who possess a teaching skills certificate issued by an authorized agency before the effective date of this Circular are deemed to meet the standards for pedagogical competence and may teach vocational education programs.

Article 10. Responsibilities of the Vocational Education Operation Institution

Paragraph 1. Develop and approve the plan for organizing the evaluation of practical skills and pedagogical competence. The content of the plan must clearly specify the quantity, standards, form, and content or criteria for assessment, the time of organization, recognition of results, handling of complaints, and other contents as appropriate to the characteristics of the vocational education operation institution (if applicable).

Paragraph 2. Establish a committee or inter-institutional committee; organize evaluations; decide on recognizing the practical skills and pedagogical competence of vocational trainers based on the evaluation results from the committee or inter-institutional committee in accordance with this Circular.

Paragraph 3. Bear legal responsibility and be accountable to the competent state management agency for the results of the evaluation, recognition of practical skills and pedagogical competence of vocational trainers.

Paragraph 4. Annually, based on specific conditions of the unit and requirements of the training program, the vocational education operation institution shall develop and implement a plan for enhancing the pedagogical competence and practical skills of vocational trainers.

Paragraph 5. Publicize the list of qualified vocational trainers teaching on the institution's official website; manage, store records, and update data into the information system and database in accordance with legal provisions; ensure compliance with personal data protection regulations.

Paragraph 6. Consider and utilize vocational trainers recognized by another vocational education operation institution for their practical skills and pedagogical competence according to this Circular without re-evaluating them.

Paragraph 7. Ensure the lawful rights and interests of vocational trainers in accordance with legal provisions and agreements between parties.

Paragraph 8. Annually report on the implementation of the standards for vocational trainers; the evaluation, recognition of practical skills and pedagogical competence of vocational trainers before December 31 to the directly supervising authority and the Department of Education and Training where the main office of the vocational education operation institution is located.

Paragraph 9. The costs for organizing evaluations, recognitions, training, updating, and enhancing the pedagogical competence and practical skills of vocational trainers shall be guaranteed from national budget funds, revenue sources of the vocational education operation institution, socialized funding, and other lawful financial resources in accordance with legal provisions. For public vocational education operation institutions, the allocation and utilization of funds are subject to the regulations on state budget, self-financing mechanisms for public sector units, and relevant legal provisions.

Article 11. Responsibilities of Enterprises and Cooperatives

Encouragement is given to enterprises and cooperatives to dispatch individuals who meet the conditions to participate in teaching, guiding practical training; to dispatch professionals suitable for participation in committees or inter-facility committees when requested by vocational education institutions; and to cooperate with vocational education institutions to enhance the practical skills and pedagogical capabilities of teachers.

Article 12. Responsibilities of the Department of Teachers and Education Management

1. To take the lead in guiding and supervising the implementation of this Circular.

2. To coordinate with relevant units to organize inspections of the implementation of the provisions of this Circular.

3. To compile the situation of implementation, report to the Minister of Education and Training, and propose amendments or supplements when necessary.

Article 13. Responsibilities Department of Education and Training

1. To guide and inspect the implementation of this Circular for vocational education institutions within its jurisdiction.

2. To compile the situation of implementation in the locality, report to the competent authority according to regulations.

Article 14. Implementation

1. This Circular shall come into force on June 9, 2026.

2. The Deputy Director of the Office, Director of the Department of Teachers and Education Management, heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Education and Training; Directors of Departments of Education and Training; vocational education institutions, enterprises, cooperatives shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

3. In case of any difficulties during implementation, please report to the Ministry of Education and Training for guidance or consideration and resolution./.