Joint Circular No. 50/2011/TTLT-BGDĐT-BNV-BTC guides the implementation of Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and Article 9 of Decree No. 82/2010/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2010 of the Government on teaching and learning the spoken language and writing system of ethnic minorities in general education institutions and regular education centers.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for implementing Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and Article 9 of Decree No. 82/2010/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2010 of the Government on teaching and learning ethnic minority languages and scripts in general education institutions and regular education centers

Pursuant to Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 48/2008/NĐ-CP dated April 17, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

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Pursuant to Decree No. 82/2010/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2010 of the Government on teaching and learning ethnic minority languages and scripts in general education institutions and regular education centers;

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

The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance issue guidelines for implementing Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and Article 9 of Decree No. 82/2010/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2010 of the Government on teaching and learning ethnic minority languages and scripts in general education institutions and regular education centers as follows:

Pursuant to Decree No. 118/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 27, 2008, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

1. This Circular provides guidance on Article 3. Conditions for organizing teaching; Article 4. Procedures for introducing ethnic minority languages into teaching; Article 5. Content and methods of teaching; Article 6. Forms of organizing teaching; Article 7. Issuing certificates; Article 8. Training and retraining teachers; and Article 9. Policies under Decree No. 82/2010/NĐ-CP dated July 15, 2010 of the Government.

2. This Circular applies to those teaching ethnic minority languages and ethnic minorities studying their own languages that have writing systems in general education institutions and regular education centers within the national education system.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 2. Conditions for Organizing Teaching

1. The People's Committee of the province or centrally governed city (hereinafter referred to as the Provincial People's Committee) shall, based on the actual use of ethnic minority languages in the locality, direct and coordinate with local authorities at all levels, mass organizations, and social organizations to determine the desire and need of ethnic minorities to learn their own languages.

2. The script of ethnic minority languages taught and learned in general education institutions and regular education centers must ensure that it is an ancient traditional script that has existed for a long time in Vietnam, used by the ethnic minority community, recognized by a specialized agency or approved by the Provincial People's Committee. For ethnic minority languages with multiple scripts, the selection of the script must be based on its prevalence in literary creation, folk literature recording, and usage in the locality.

3. Programs, textbooks, and teaching materials for ethnic minority languages shall be organized for compilation and review according to the current regulations of the Minister of Education and Training.

4. Teachers must meet the training standards for the corresponding level of education regarding ethnic minority languages as stipulated in Article 77 of the Education Law; teachers who teach ethnic minority languages but have not yet met the training standards for teaching ethnic minority languages shall undergo short-term training to obtain a certificate for teaching ethnic minority languages.

5. Physical facilities and teaching equipment for ethnic minority languages must comply with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Specifically:

a) Classes teaching ethnic minority languages shall be equipped with physical facilities similar to other classes at the corresponding educational level;

b) Teaching equipment for ethnic minority languages shall be specified in the minimum list of teaching equipment for each program of teaching ethnic minority languages by the Ministry of Education and Training. It is encouraged for teachers of ethnic minority languages to make teaching aids themselves to enhance the quality of teaching.

a) Classes teaching ethnic minority languages shall be equipped with physical facilities like other regular classes at the corresponding educational level;

b) Teaching equipment for ethnic minority languages shall be specified in the minimum list of teaching equipment for each ethnic minority language teaching program as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training. Teachers teaching ethnic minority languages are encouraged to make their own teaching aids to improve the quality of teaching.

Article 3. Procedure for Incorporating Ethnic Minority Languages into Teaching

1. Based on the wishes and needs of ethnic minorities, the conditions for organizing teaching at the local level, the provincial People's Committee shall prepare and submit directly or through postal service a request to the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the incorporation of ethnic minority languages into teaching and learning in general education institutions and regular education centers within their jurisdiction.

2. The number of files is 01 (one) set.

3. Documents include:

a) A proposal from the provincial People's Committee regarding the teaching of ethnic minority languages, including a report on the ethnic minority language teacher workforce (number, level of training... according to the attached model) and infrastructure and equipment as stipulated in Clause 4, 5 of Article 2 of this Circular; the target group for learning ethnic minority languages; educational facilities assigned to teach ethnic minority languages; implementation and organization plans for teaching (attached with the proposal);

b) Decision approving the ethnic minority language script issued by the provincial People's Committee as prescribed in Clause 2 of Article 2 of this Circular.

4. The Ministry of Education and Training shall review the conditions for teaching ethnic minority languages based on the request of the provincial People's Committee; notify the provincial People's Committee in writing within thirty working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid application for teaching ethnic minority languages.

5. If approved by the Ministry of Education and Training, the provincial People's Committee shall issue a decision on teaching ethnic minority languages within its jurisdiction.

Article 4. Content, Methods, and Plan for Teaching

1. Teaching Content:

The teaching content of ethnic minority languages is specified in each specific ethnic minority language program, including:

a) Knowledge about phonetics, vocabulary, grammar; contents reflecting the life and culture of ethnic minorities with spoken and written languages taught. Sources of materials used in textbooks and documents are taken from the treasury of folk literature, written literature reflecting the material and spiritual cultural life of ethnic groups with spoken and written languages being learned and other ethnic groups;

b) Knowledge about economy, culture, society, science and technology, aimed at helping learners improve the quality of life in programs for regular education centers;

c) Emphasizing the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills so that learners can skillfully use ethnic minority languages.

2. Teaching Methods:

a) Mother tongue teaching method is the main method in the system of ethnic minority language teaching methods;

b) Ethnic minority language teaching method is a language practice method, developing simultaneously all language skills, but emphasizing more on training reading and writing skills, thereby forming knowledge about phonetics, vocabulary, and grammar.

3. Teaching Plan:

a) For general education institutions, the plan for teaching ethnic minority languages is specified in the General Education Program and in each specific ethnic minority language program prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training;

b) For regular education centers, the plan for teaching ethnic minority languages is specified in the Regular Education Program and in each specific ethnic minority language program prescribed by the Minister of Education and Training.

The duration of a lesson in ethnic minority languages shall be implemented according to the general regulations of the corresponding level and field of study.

Article 5. Forms of Teaching Organization

1. Ethnic minority languages are subjects that use corresponding elective time for each level and field of study to organize teaching in general education schools and regular education centers.

2. The form of organizing teaching according to class is regulated in the general education program, regular education program, Elementary School Regulations, Middle School Regulations, High School Regulations, and multi-level general schools, and the Rules on the organization and operation of regular education centers. The organization of ethnic minority language classes is stipulated as follows:

a) If all students in a class at a certain level wish to learn an ethnic minority language and have the same proficiency level, the ethnic minority language class will be organized concurrently with the regular class.

b) In cases where the number of students wishing to learn an ethnic minority language in a class at a certain level is insufficient to form an ethnic minority language class, the ethnic minority language class will include students from different classes within the same school who wish to learn the same ethnic minority language and have the same proficiency level; the minimum number of students in an ethnic minority language class must not be less than ten students/class.

Article 6. Issuing Certificates

1. Students completing the ethnic minority language program will be tested, evaluated, classified, and issued certificates. The issuance of ethnic minority language certificates is carried out in accordance with Decision No. 33/2007/QD-BGDĐT dated June 20, 2007, of the Minister of Education and Training on the issuance of regulations on diplomas and certificates of the national education system.

2. The management and use of certificate blanks and ethnic minority language certificates are implemented in accordance with Decision No. 5599/QD-BGDĐT dated December 1, 2010, of the Minister of Education and Training on the procedures for issuing certificate blanks at the Ministry of Education and Training as with other certificate blanks in the national education system.

Article 7. Training and Professional Development of Teachers

1. Teachers teaching ethnic minority languages are trained in ethnic minority languages at teacher colleges, normal universities, and universities with teacher training departments. Training institutions assigned the task of training teachers teaching ethnic minority languages are conducted through formal education and regular education forms.

2. Training institutions assigned the task of training teachers teaching ethnic minority languages are conducted according to the Teacher Training Program for Ethnic Minority Language Teachers issued by the Ministry of Education and Training. The training program must ensure that trainees have proficient skills in using ethnic minority languages and the ability to teach ethnic minority languages in general education schools and regular education centers.

3. Professional development of teachers teaching ethnic minority languages is carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 8. On Policies and Benefits

1. For Teachers:

a) Teachers (regardless of permanent or contract positions, or part-time positions) teaching ethnic minority languages who ensure the teaching hours according to the standard, including at least four periods per week for teachers and two periods per week for principals and equivalent positions, shall receive a job responsibility allowance equal to 0.3 times the minimum wage outside other allowances as prescribed. This allowance does not apply to teachers who already receive a job responsibility allowance under Article 13 of Decree No. 61/2006/NĐ-CP dated June 20, 2006, of the Government on policies for educators and educational managers working in specialized schools and areas with extremely difficult economic and social conditions. The job responsibility allowance is paid together with monthly salary and is not used to calculate contributions or benefits under social insurance and health insurance.

b) Teachers teaching ethnic minority languages, part-time teachers, and contract teachers teaching ethnic minority languages whose teaching hours exceed the standard set forth in Circular No. 28/2009/TT-BGDĐT dated October 21, 2009, on working conditions for general education teachers, will be compensated for additional teaching hours in accordance with Joint Circular No. 50/2008/TTLT-BGDĐT-BNV-BTC dated September 9, 2008, of the Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Finance on guiding the implementation of the overtime pay system for teachers in public educational institutions, but not exceeding 200 standard hours/year.

2. For Students:

a) Students from ethnic minorities studying ethnic minority languages at general education schools and regular education centers are guaranteed textbooks, reference materials, and notebooks for learning ethnic minority languages by the State.

The People's Committee of the province shall specify the specific level of support for students regarding study conditions as stipulated in point a, Clause 2 of this Article.

b) Cadres, civil servants, employees, non-professional cadres at the commune level, and teachers from ethnic minorities studying ethnic minority languages at regular education centers shall enjoy the training and professional development benefits of state cadres, civil servants, and employees as prescribed in Circular No. 139/2010/TT-BTC dated September 21, 2010, of the Ministry of Finance on the regulations on budgeting, managing, and using state funds for cadre training and professional development.

3. For Educational Institutions Assigned the Task of Teaching Ethnic Minority Languages:

General education schools and regular education centers assigned the task of teaching ethnic minority languages, in addition to the number of teacher positions as specified in Joint Circular No. 35/2006/TTLT-BGDĐT-BNV dated August 23, 2006, of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Home Affairs on guidelines for staffing standards for public general education institutions, are stipulated as follows:

a) Allocate additional staffing for teaching ethnic minority languages according to the labor quota of the educational level and field in general education institutions and regular education centers. The teaching hour quota for teachers teaching ethnic minority languages in general education institutions shall be implemented in accordance with Point c Clause 6 Part I of Circular Joint Circular No. 35/2006/TTLT-BGDĐT-BNV dated August 23, 2006 of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the staffing quota of civil servants in public general education institutions, and the teaching hour quota for teachers teaching ethnic minority languages at regular education centers shall be implemented in accordance with Clause 6 Article 24 Decision No. 01/2007/QĐ-BGDĐT dated January 2, 2007 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating the regulations on the organization and operation of regular education centers;

b) Heads of educational institutions assigned the task of teaching ethnic minority languages shall arrange teachers to teach ethnic minority languages based on the guidance of this Circular, ensuring sufficient staffing as prescribed, and minimizing the arrangement of teachers for extra hours.

4. The funds serving the activities of teaching and learning ethnic minority languages, policies, and benefits for those teaching and learning ethnic minority languages as stipulated in this Circular shall be guaranteed by the state budget and allocated in the regular budget estimate of general education institutions and regular education centers implementing ethnic minority language teaching and learning programs according to the current state budget management hierarchy.

The establishment and allocation of state budget estimates, management, utilization, and settlement of accounts for funds shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the State Budget Law and related guiding documents.

Provincial People's Committees are responsible for ensuring the funding for implementing the policies and benefits for teaching and learning ethnic minority languages as stipulated in this Circular in accordance with the current regulations on state budget management hierarchy.

Article 9. Implementation Organization

1. This Circular takes effect from December 30, 2011.

2. In cases where the referenced documents for application in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced by new documents, they shall be applied according to the new documents.

3. During implementation, if there are difficulties or obstacles, it is requested that ministries, sectors, and localities reflect them to the Ministry of Education and Training to take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Finance to study and resolve them./.