Joint Circular No. 65/2006/TTLT/BTC-BLDTBXH guiding the implementation of vocational training policies for boarding students from ethnic minority groups

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Vocational Training Policies for Ethnic Minority Students Living on Campus

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Pursuant to the State Budget Law and the guiding documents for implementing the State Budget Law.

Pursuant to Decision No. 267/2005/QĐ-TTg dated February 31, 2005 of the Prime Minister regarding vocational training policies for ethnic minority students living on campus.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs jointly issue guidelines for implementing vocational training policies for ethnic minority students living on campus as follows:

1. Recipients

Graduates from ethnic minority boarding secondary schools and ethnic minority boarding high schools, including those who have been fostered; graduates from ethnic minority boarding secondary schools who have obtained a high school diploma through supplementary education shall be selected to enroll in vocational training programs on campus, with priority given to ethnic minorities residing in particularly difficult areas and policy beneficiaries as stipulated in the Preferential Treatment Ordinance for Persons Contributing to the Revolution.

2. Forms of Organizing Vocational Training

Vocational training for ethnic minority students living on campus shall be organized at public vocational training institutions that meet the necessary conditions, provide dormitory accommodation for students, and apply only to trades with training periods of three months or longer.

3. Policies for Students Enrolled in Vocational Training Programs and Vocational Training Institutions

3.1. For Students Enrolled in Vocational Training Programs:

a) Exemption from tuition fees and examination registration fees.

b) During their vocational training period, students shall receive scholarships, social allowances, and other benefits equivalent to those currently provided to ethnic minority boarding high school students, specifically:

- Policy-based scholarship: VND 280,000 per person per month; calculated based on the actual number of months of study.

- A one-time annual award based on academic performance, if the student excels in both studies and discipline, achieving a minimum classification of good (in the previous academic year), as follows:

- VND 120,000 for a good classification;

- VND 180,000 for an excellent classification;

- VND 240,000 for a top classification.

- Assistance for purchasing personal items: If students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds (confirmed by local authorities) enter the institution, they will receive financial assistance to purchase certain personal items such as: individual quilts, individual mosquito nets, individual mats, raincoats, and long-sleeved uniforms (school uniforms).

- The maximum amount does not exceed VND 360,000 per student for the entire vocational training program with a training period of one year or longer.

- The maximum amount does not exceed VND 240,000 per student for the entire vocational training program with a training period of three months to less than one year.

- Transportation allowance for a round trip home visit during the Tet holiday or summer break each year. The reimbursement rate is based on the average fare of public transportation at the time of payment.

- Annual support for purchasing learning materials. The support level is VND 50,000 per student per academic year for intermediate and advanced vocational training; VND 30,000 per student per academic year for basic vocational training.

- Textbooks and study materials: Each student may borrow one set of textbooks or study materials according to their level of study and trade.

- Support for traditional festivals: Students who remain at the school during the Tet holiday or ethnic festivals will receive a support amount of VND 10,000 per student per stay.

Based on specific content and conditions, the Principals (Directors) of the schools and vocational training centers shall decide whether to provide financial or in-kind support for some of the above policies.

c) In addition to the aforementioned support policies, students enrolled in vocational training programs also receive support for school activities such as cultural activities, physical education, health care, recruitment, graduation, electricity, water expenses for studying and living, and collective dining halls as stipulated for ethnic minority boarding high school students.

If a student enrolled in vocational training receives a policy-based scholarship but is also eligible for social assistance or preferential treatment under the Preferential Treatment Ordinance for Persons Contributing to the Revolution, they can only receive the benefit with the highest level of assistance.

d) Students enrolled in vocational training programs as specified in point 1 above who do not meet the conditions for vocational training as stipulated in this Circular shall be prioritized for short-term vocational training programs for rural workers as prescribed in Joint Circular No. 06/2006/TTLT-BTC-LDTBXH dated January 19, 2006 of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs guiding the implementation of Decision No. 81/2005/QĐ-TTg dated April 18, 2005 of the Prime Minister on supporting short-term vocational training for rural workers.

đ) Students as specified in point 1 above, when studying at each level of vocational training (basic vocational training, intermediate vocational training, advanced vocational training), shall only receive once the policies stipulated in point 3.1 of this Circular. In cases where the vocational training program has a continuous curriculum between levels, the student shall continue to receive the policy when selected to study the next level of vocational training.

The above policies for ethnic minority students enrolled in vocational training programs on campus shall be adjusted accordingly when the state adjusts scholarship policies and other preferential benefits for ethnic minority boarding high school students.

3.2. For Vocational Training Institutions.

Schools and vocational training centers that meet the conditions for vocational training on campus and are assigned tasks to train the subjects specified in point 1 of this Circular by the People's Committee of the province or centrally administered city (hereinafter referred to as the provincial People's Committee) shall be allocated funds to implement the boarding policies for students enrolled in vocational training programs and vocational training costs, specifically:

- Funds to implement policies for students enrolled in vocational training programs as stipulated in point 3.1 above.

- Vocational training costs: At the level prescribed by the provincial People's Committee.

- They may apply other policies as stipulated in current regulations applicable to ethnic minority boarding high schools.

- They shall be supported in investing in infrastructure and equipment to ensure the implementation of vocational training tasks for ethnic minority students living on campus from the project budget "Strengthening Capacity for Vocational Training" under the National Target Program on Education and Training and Vocational Training, and other sources of funding.

4. Vocational Training Programs and Implementation Methods

4.1. Vocational Training Programs.

a) The vocational training program for boarding ethnic minority students with a training period of three months or more shall be established in accordance with the regulations stipulated by the Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs.

b) Each locality shall determine specific trades to train and the number of students to be selected for vocational training based on the requirements for specialized technical labor.

c) The monitoring and management of the vocational training process, quality control, examination, and certification issuance shall be carried out in accordance with current regulations.

4.2. Implementation methods.

a) Vocational training for boarding ethnic minority students falls under the category of regular centralized vocational training, where students reside at the training institution throughout the course duration and enjoy the stipends prescribed in this Circular.

b) Recruitment for vocational training and the trades offered to boarding ethnic minority students shall be conducted according to the quotas and lists of candidates determined by the Provincial People's Committee. The recruitment quota for boarding ethnic minority students' vocational training shall be included within the annual new recruitment plan for vocational training.

The institutions chosen to undertake the task of training boarding ethnic minority students must be public vocational training centers that provide dormitory accommodation, communal dining facilities, and other amenities necessary for learning and living during the training period. They must also have adequate equipment, curricula, textbooks, and qualified instructors to ensure the quality of training.

5. Sources, management, and utilization of funds:

The funds for implementing policies concerning students enrolled in vocational training (point 3.1) and vocational training institutions (point 3.2) as stipulated in this Circular shall be guaranteed from the local budget allocated for educational and vocational training expenses, supplemented by contributions from organizations, individuals, and other lawful sources (if any).

The central government budget will provide targeted supplementary funding to localities through the Project "Enhancing Vocational Training Capacity" under the National Target Program on Education, Training, and Vocational Training assigned annually by the Government to support investment in infrastructure and teaching equipment. In 2006, the central government will support provinces in mountainous areas, highlands, and provinces with difficult budgets to implement this policy.

Funds for implementing the vocational training policy for boarding ethnic minority students shall be managed, utilized, and settled according to the current provisions of the State Budget Law, guiding documents for the implementation of the Law, and the regulations set forth in this Circular.

6. Responsibilities of agencies:

a) Provincial People's Committees:

- Determine appropriate vocational training expenditure levels for boarding ethnic minority students in line with the local budget capacity and conditions;

- Approve plans for vocational training for boarding ethnic minority students, balance the annual budget, and direct and organize their implementation;

- Decide on selecting trades to train and assign tasks to certain institutions capable of providing vocational training for boarding ethnic minority students;

- Direct, guide, and inspect the implementation of vocational training policies for boarding ethnic minority students in the locality to ensure they are implemented correctly and reach the intended beneficiaries;

- Report periodically on the implementation of the policy to relevant agencies as required.

b) Departments of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall be responsible for:

- Taking the lead and coordinating with the Department of Finance and related agencies to submit to the Provincial People's Committee:

+ Plans for newly recruited vocational training for boarding ethnic minority students;

+ Assigning tasks to institutions within the jurisdiction capable of providing vocational training for boarding ethnic minority students;

+ Regulations for the admission of boarding ethnic minority students into vocational training programs.

- Guide, monitor, and inspect the vocational training process to ensure compliance with current regulations.

- Organize evaluations and report results to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs (General Department of Vocational Training).

c) Departments of Finance shall be responsible for:

- Taking the lead and coordinating with related agencies to report to the Provincial People's Committee and submit to the Provincial People's Council for approval the budget estimates for supporting vocational training institutions and applying related policies and benefits for students and institutions as stipulated in this Circular, ensuring alignment with the practical needs of each trade, economic and social conditions, and the budget capacity of the locality.

- Ensure funding according to the approved budget estimate by the Provincial People's Council to implement the policy.

- Coordinate with the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to monitor, inspect, and supervise the implementation process according to their assigned functions and responsibilities.

d) Vocational training institutions shall be responsible for:

- Implementing vocational training for the target groups specified in this Circular.

- Prepare the budget according to the State Budget Law regulations to implement vocational training policies for boarding ethnic minority students; manage, utilize, and settle accounts when funds are allocated according to current regulations.

- Regularly report on the implementation status to competent authorities as required.

7. Effective date:

This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

During implementation, if difficulties arise, localities should promptly reflect them to the relevant ministries for research and resolution./.