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

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Implementing Vocational Training Policies for Boarding Students from Ethnic Minority Groups

Pursuant to the State Budget Law and guiding documents for the implementation of the State Budget Law;

Pursuant to Decision No. 267/2005/QD-TTg dated October 31, 2005 of the Prime Minister on vocational training policies for boarding students from ethnic minority groups;

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

1. Recipients

Graduates of boarding schools for ethnic minorities at the lower secondary level and general upper secondary level, including those who have been fostered; graduates of lower secondary boarding schools with a general upper secondary completion certificate obtained through supplementary education may be selected to enroll in vocational training programs, prioritizing students from ethnic minority groups 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 boarding students from ethnic minority groups shall be organized at public vocational training institutions that meet the necessary conditions, provide dormitory accommodation for students, and apply only to trades with a training duration of three months or more.

3. Policies for Vocational Training Students and Training Institutions

3.1. For vocational training students:

a) Exemption from tuition fees and examination registration fees.

b) During their vocational training period, students shall receive scholarships, social allowances, and other benefits similar to those currently provided to boarding students at general upper secondary schools for ethnic minorities, specifically:

- Policy-based scholarship: A monthly amount of 280,000 VND per student based on the actual number of months of study.

- 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:

- 120,000 VND for a good classification;

- 180,000 VND for an excellent classification;

- 240,000 VND for a top classification.

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

- The maximum amount does not exceed 360,000 VND per student for the entire course of vocational training lasting one year or more.

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

- Financial assistance for train tickets once a year (round trip) during the Tet holiday or summer break. The reimbursement rate is based on the average fare of public transportation at the time of payment.

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

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

- Support for holidays and traditional festivals: Students who remain at school during these periods and do not return home will receive a support amount of 10,000 VND per student per stay.

Based on specific content and conditions, the Principals (Directors) of 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, vocational training students also benefit from funding for school activities such as cultural and sports activities, health care, recruitment, graduation, electricity, water costs for study and living, and collective dining halls as stipulated for students at general upper secondary boarding schools for ethnic minorities.

If a vocational training student receives a policy-based scholarship but is also eligible for social allowances or preferential benefits under the Preferential Treatment Ordinance for Persons Contributing to the Revolution, they shall only receive the highest level of allowance.

d) Vocational training students specified in point 1 above who do not meet the conditions for vocational training as stipulated in this Circular shall be given priority in 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/QD-TTg dated April 18, 2005 of the Prime Minister on supporting short-term vocational training for rural workers.

e) Students 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 the benefits stipulated in point 3.1 of this Circular once. In cases where the vocational training program includes a continuous curriculum between levels, the vocational training student shall continue to receive benefits when enrolled in subsequent levels of vocational training.

The above policies for vocational training for boarding students from ethnic minority groups shall be adjusted accordingly when the state adjusts scholarship policies and other preferential benefits for students at general upper secondary boarding schools for ethnic minorities.

3.2. For Vocational Training Institutions.

Schools and vocational training centers that meet the conditions for vocational training for boarding students and are assigned tasks by provincial People's Committees (hereinafter referred to as provincial People's Committees) to provide vocational training for the students specified in point 1 of this Circular shall be allocated funds to implement boarding policies for vocational training students and vocational training expenses, specifically:

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

- Vocational training expenses: As determined by the provincial People's Committee.

- They may apply other policies as currently applicable to general upper secondary boarding schools for ethnic minorities.

- They shall receive investment support for infrastructure and equipment to ensure the provision of vocational training for boarding students from ethnic minorities 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. Curriculum and Implementation Method

4.1. Curriculum.

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 demand 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 to be trained for boarding ethnic minority students shall be conducted according to the quota and list of students selected for training decided by the Provincial People's Committee. The recruitment quota for boarding ethnic minority student vocational training is included in the annual new vocational training recruitment plan.

c) Training institutions chosen to undertake the task of vocational training for boarding ethnic minority students must be public training institutions that provide dormitory accommodation, collective dining facilities, and other facilities serving learning and living activities during the training period, equipped with teaching materials, programs, and qualified instructors to ensure training quality.

5.Funding sources, management, and utilization:

The funds for implementing policies concerning students enrolled in vocational training (point 3.1) and 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, highland regions, 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.

6Responsibilities of relevant agencies:

a) Provincial People's Committees:

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

- Approve vocational training plans 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 meeting the conditions for training 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;

+ Assignment of tasks to training institutions within the jurisdiction that meet the conditions for training boarding ethnic minority students;

+ Regulations for admission to vocational training for boarding ethnic minority students.

- 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 decision-making on the budget estimate for supporting funds for training institutions and the application of related policies for students and training institutions as stipulated in this Circular, ensuring alignment with practical requirements of each trade, socio-economic conditions, and local financial capacity.

- Ensure funding according to the approved budget by the Provincial People's Council for implementation.

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

d) Training institutions shall be responsible for:

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

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

- Regularly report implementation status to competent authorities as required.

7. Implementation Provisions:

This Circular shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

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