JOINT CIRCULAR of the Government Organizational and Cadre Affairs Agency - Ministry of Planning and Investment - Ministry of Finance - Ministry of Education and Training No. 79/1997/TTLT/BTCCBCP-BKH-BTC-BGDĐT dated September 19, 1997 guiding the implementation of Decision No. 874/TTg dated November 20, 1996 of the Prime Minister on cadre training and civil servant development work

JOINT CIRCULAR

Joint Circular No. 79/1997/TTLT-BTCCBCP-BKH-BTC-BGDĐT dated September 19, 1997 of the Government Organization and Civil Service Board, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Education and Training guiding the implementation of Decision No. 874/TTg dated November 20, 1996 of the Prime Minister on cadre training and civil servant development work

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Pursuant to Article 8 of Decision No. 874/TTg dated November 20, 1996 of the Prime Minister on cadre training and civil servant development work, the Government Organization and Civil Service Board, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Education and Training guide ministries, sectors, and localities in implementing this Decision as follows:

1. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS FOR STATE CIVIL SERVANTS AND CADRES

1.1. Training and Development Objectives:

Decision No. 874/TTg of the Prime Minister has affirmed that the objectives of training and developing state cadres and civil servants are to "build a cadre and civil servant workforce proficient in their specialties and professions, loyal to the Socialist regime, dedicated to public service, with good management skills, meeting the requirements for improving and enhancing the effectiveness of the state administrative apparatus." To achieve these objectives, it is necessary to closely adhere to the following specific contents:

- Training and developing state cadres and civil servants to ensure they meet the standards prescribed for each grade of state civil servant and each position of managerial cadre, according to the "Professional Standards for State Civil Servant and Public Official Grades" issued by the State.

- Training and developing state cadres and civil servants to ensure they meet the standards prescribed for each grade of state civil servant and each position of managerial cadre, according to the "Professional Standards for State Civil Servant and Public Official Grades" issued by the State.

- In the current phase, the training and development of state cadres and civil servants focus on addressing deficiencies in professional qualifications and limitations in management capabilities so that state cadres and civil servants can effectively perform their assigned tasks; concentrating on equipping and supplementing basic knowledge and skills in specialties, professions, and management, particularly administrative management, closely aligned with job requirements and standards for state cadres and civil servants, to meet the needs for improving and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the state administrative apparatus.

1.2. Training and Development Targets:

The targets of training and development work include state cadres and civil servants, comprising: elected officials; administrative civil servants; specialized and professional civil servants; economic management and business cadres; grassroots government cadres.

At present, the two main groups that need priority and focused training and development are:

- Administrative civil servants working in state administrative agencies, Party organizations, mass organizations, the National Assembly, People's Councils, People's Courts, and People's Procuratorates at all levels.

- Grassroots government cadres, including: Chairpersons, Deputy Chairpersons, and members of People's Committees; Chairpersons, Deputy Chairpersons of People's Councils, and various professional positions such as office, finance, judiciary, land administration, culture-society, etc., of communes, wards, and towns.

Chapter I sets out the training and development programs for these two categories as the priority of the training and development work for state officials and civil servants from now until the year 2000. To achieve the target of "annually having at least 20% of administrative officials and grassroots-level cadres trained and developed," Ministries, Sectors, and Localities must focus on effectively conducting teacher training, developing curricula and textbooks, enhancing material and technical infrastructure, and allocating adequate financial resources to implement these key programs.

2. CONTENT AND FORMS OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR STATE OFFICIALS AND CIVIL SERVANTS

2.1. Content of Training and Development:

Decision No. 874/TTg has identified the basic content of training and development for state officials and civil servants, which includes knowledge on political theory, state administrative management, economic management, foreign languages, and information technology. When implementing, attention should be paid to:

- The dissemination of Party and State policies and guidelines should be timely and regular throughout training and development courses for state officials and civil servants.

- Training and development of state officials and civil servants in foreign languages shall be carried out according to Directive No. 422/TTg dated August 15, 1994, issued by the Prime Minister, and Circular No. 171/TTLB dated November 4, 1994, issued by the Government's Organizational and Cadre Board and the Ministry of Education and Training, guiding the implementation of the aforementioned directive.

- Among the contents determined in Decision No. 874/TTg, it is necessary to strengthen training and development in administrative management and state management to meet current requirements. Along with equipping and supplementing theoretical knowledge, particular emphasis should be placed on practical aspects (management skills, operational methods, practical tools, etc.) and disseminating domestic and international management experience. Practical skills are a crucial component of the training and development content for state officials and civil servants and should have an appropriate proportion in the structure of training and development programs for different subjects.

2.2. Types of Training and Development:

The above contents will be implemented through the following types of training and development:

- Training and development for the recruitment of state officials and civil servants; testing and assessing those temporarily recruited into state agencies before being appointed to a specific civil service rank, to ensure a continuous supply of human resources for state organizations and agencies, meeting the requirements and standards of each civil service rank and managerial positions.

- Training and development for the appointment to leadership and managerial positions or higher civil service ranks.

- Advanced training and development in political, professional, and management skills, as well as supplementary knowledge such as foreign languages and information technology, to meet the continuous development requirements of tasks.

These types of training and development are organized in various forms: centralized, semi-centralized, part-time, or under the form of on-the-job mentoring (during work, guided by experienced colleagues).

3. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR STATE OFFICIALS AND CIVIL SERVANTS

- International cooperation in training and development for state officials and civil servants is currently an important part of the training and development work for state officials and civil servants. International cooperation activities in this field must be planned and included in the overall training and development plan for state officials and civil servants; the funds for implementing these tasks are included in the total training and development budget for state officials and civil servants. Sending state officials and civil servants abroad for training and development using the training and development budget for state officials and civil servants requires the approval of the Government's Organizational and Cadre Board.

- Overseas training and development programs for state officials and civil servants or those involving foreign participation must be practical, closely aligned with job requirements, linked to socio-economic goals, and suitable for the conditions and capabilities of the participants.

- Ministries, Sectors, and Localities must develop plans for international cooperation in training and development for state officials and civil servants, specifying the content, target groups, implementation conditions, and submit them annually to the Government's Organizational and Cadre Board for consolidation and presentation to the Government for consideration and decision. Based on the approved plans, the Government's Organizational and Cadre Board, in conjunction with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education and Training, will develop cooperation programs and guide Ministries, Sectors, and Localities in their implementation.

- In the short term, Ministries, Sectors, and Localities with projects or courses for the training and development of state officials and civil servants involving foreign participation or cooperation must inform the Government's Organizational and Cadre Board about the content, program, teaching and learning targets, ensuring strict management, periodic reporting to the Government, and seeking Government approval when necessary.

4. ASSIGNMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1. State Management of Training and Development for State Officials and Civil Servants:

- The system of state management agencies for the training and development of state officials and civil servants includes:

+ The Government's Organizational and Cadre Board is the focal point for state management of the training and development of state officials and civil servants. Together with the Government's Organizational and Cadre Board, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education and Training manage this area. The scope of management and specific responsibilities of these agencies are clearly defined in Decision No. 874/TTg.

+ The local state management agency for the training and development of state officials and civil servants is the Organizational Department of provincial and centrally-administered city governments; at the central level, it is the Organization and Cadre Department (Office) of central ministries and sectors.

+ Officials, sectors, localities shall establish specialized units to perform the tasks of managing and overseeing the training and capacity building of state officials within their jurisdiction. Localities may establish State Official Training and Capacity Building Departments under the Provincial Civil Service Organization Boards.

- The management of the training and capacity building of state officials is the responsibility of the aforementioned administrative agencies. Within the scope of their delegated authority, the main contents of this work include:

+ Compiling and developing plans for the training and capacity building of state officials; monitoring, guiding, and inspecting the implementation of these plans by training and capacity building agencies and institutions for state officials.

+ Monitoring and inspecting the development and implementation of training programs and curricula for state officials by training institutions for state officials.

+ Establishing annual budget standards and quotas for the training and capacity building of state officials; allocating, monitoring, and inspecting the implementation of budget standards and systems for the training and capacity building of state officials.

+ Developing training and capacity building policies for state officials; guiding and inspecting the implementation of state policies on the training and capacity building of state officials.

+ Compiling and developing plans to strengthen and develop the material and technical infrastructure of training and capacity building institutions for state officials.

4.2. Implementation of training and capacity building programs for state officials:

The organization and implementation of training and capacity building programs for state officials must be based on the framework program established by competent state authorities and is the responsibility of training and capacity building institutions for state officials: the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy; the National Administration Academy; provincial political schools; and training centers for state officials under central ministries and sectors.

- The organizational structure and responsibilities of provincial political schools have been defined in Decision 874/TTg. Central ministries and sectors shall review their training and capacity building needs, capabilities, and scale of training and capacity building institutions for state officials, and adjust the organizational structures of these institutions according to the spirit of Decision 874/TTg.

- Under the guidance of the competent ministry, sector, and higher-level state management agency for training and capacity building of state officials, training and capacity building institutions for state officials at the provincial and ministerial levels shall coordinate with the same-level state management agency for training and capacity building of state officials to implement plans and common tasks related to the training and capacity building of state officials within their assigned scope.

- The Government’s Organizational and Cadre Management Board shall serve as the coordinating body for managing training and capacity building institutions for state officials under ministries, sectors, and localities. These institutions shall be guided and directed in their professional activities by the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, the National Administration Academy, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment according to the fields of training and capacity building specified in Decision 874/TTg.

5. SOME URGENT TASKS

In addition to measures for implementing the training and capacity building of state officials as stipulated in Decision 874/TTg, relevant agencies need to cooperate to effectively carry out the following tasks:

- The Ministry of Education and Training, together with the Government’s Organizational and Cadre Management Board, shall study, apply, and guide ministries, sectors, and localities in implementing the Party and State's policies regarding teachers engaged in the training and capacity building of state officials (academic titles, teacher titles, allowances, salaries, rank promotions, and other incentives), aiming to submit regulations and systems for the training and capacity building of state officials and policies for teachers in training and capacity building institutions to the Government for approval.

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall take the lead in compiling and balancing the budget for the training and capacity building of state officials, submitting it for Government approval, allocating total training and capacity building quotas to ministries, sectors, and localities, participating in formulating training and capacity building policies for state officials. Ministries, sectors, and localities shall report on the current status of training and capacity building facilities, development plans, and upgrades, sending them to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Government’s Organizational and Cadre Management Board for consolidation and development planning, submitted to the Government for approval, in accordance with Government Decree No. 42/CP dated July 16, 1996 on investment management and construction, and Government Decree No. 92/CP dated August 23, 1997 on amending and supplementing certain provisions on investment management and construction.

- The Government’s Organizational and Cadre Management Board shall take the lead in guiding ministries, sectors, and localities to conduct surveys on the qualifications and training and capacity building needs of state officials. Surveys shall begin in 1997, based on unified content and methods to regularly update necessary data, leading to the establishment of a comprehensive management network for the training and capacity building of state officials. Funding for this activity will be allocated in the annual budget plan of the respective units.

- The Government Organization and Cadre Department shall take the lead and coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy, the National Administration Academy, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Education and Training to gradually develop appropriate framework programs for training and capacity building for each category of state officials and civil servants, avoiding overlap and duplication; gradually standardize main textbooks, and develop regulations on the use of programs, textbooks, and issuance of certificates and diplomas. In 1997, focus on developing and perfecting training and capacity-building programs for two categories: administrative officials and grassroots government officials, initially standardizing programs and textbooks for these categories.

The Ministry of Finance shall take the lead and coordinate with the Government Organization and Cadre Department to establish systems for the allocation, management, and utilization of the state budget for training and capacity building for state officials and civil servants, as well as incentive policies for state officials and civil servants attending training. In 1997, it is necessary to amend Circular Joint No. 37/TTLB dated April 22, 1994, on the management and use of funds for training and capacity building for state officials and civil servants to be consistent with new circumstances. Starting from 1998, ministries, sectors, and localities must submit their plans for training and capacity building for state officials and civil servants (both domestic and international) to the Government Organization and Cadre Department, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Finance within the time frame stipulated by the State Budget Law for consolidation into the budget plan to be submitted to the Government.

6. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION

- Ministries, sectors, and localities shall base their decisions on Prime Minister's Decision No. 874/TTg dated November 20, 1996, and this Circular to consider and issue appropriate decisions to implement the work of training and capacity building for state officials and civil servants within their delegated authority.

- The Cadre and Personnel Department, the Planning Department, the Finance Department of central ministries and sectors; the Local Administration Organization Department, the Provincial Planning and Investment Department, the Provincial Finance Department, and the Provincial Education and Training Department shall assist the heads of ministries, sectors, and localities in implementing the Prime Minister's Decision and this Circular.

- This Circular shall take effect fifteen days after the date of signature. During implementation, if there are difficulties, suggestions for supplementation or amendments, ministries, sectors, and localities are requested to promptly report to the Government Organization and Cadre Department, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education and Training for consideration and resolution.