Vietnam: Are members of the School Council of a pedagogical college required to directly teach at that college?

Are members of the School Council of a pedagogical college in Vietnam required to directly teach at that college?

Under Clause 2, Article 8 of the Charter of Pedagogical Colleges issued with Circular 23/2022/TT-BGDDT:

School Council of a college

2. The quantity and structure of council members of a pedagogical college are stipulated as follows:

a) The number of council members must be odd, with a minimum of 15 members, including members within the college and external members;

b) Internal members include ex officio members and members elected through the representatives' conference of the pedagogical college.

- Ex officio members include: the Communist Party secretary of the college, the principal, the vice-principals, the president of the Trade Union, and the secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of the college;

- Members elected through the representatives' conference of the college include representatives of lecturers (making up at least 25% of the total members of the School Council of a college) and representatives of public employees and workers of the college.

c) External members comprise at least 20% of the total members of the School Council of a college, including:

- Representatives of the direct managing agency;

- Several external members (who are not lecturers or core management staff of the college) must be individuals active in education, science, technology, production, business sectors related to the function, duties of the college and must not be directly related (parent, spouse, child, sibling) to other council members, including: representatives from the local Department of Education and Training, leaders, managers, educators, cultural figures, scientists, entrepreneurs, alumni, and representatives of employers introduced by departments or equivalent units of the college and elected through the representatives' conference of the pedagogical college.

d) The quantity, structure, selection process, appointment procedures of members, election of the chairperson and secretary of the School Council of a college must be specified in the organizational and operational regulations of the college.

According to the above regulations, members of the School Council of a pedagogical college in Vietnam are not required to directly teach within the college; instead, external members can still participate in the role of council members as instructed above.

Are members of the School Council of a pedagogical college in Vietnam required to directly teach at that college? (Image from the Internet)

Is a vice-principal mandatory for a pedagogical college in Vietnam?

Under Point b, Clause 1, Article 7 of the Charter of Pedagogical Colleges issued with Circular 23/2022/TT-BGDDT:

Organization, establishment, shut down, dissolution of organizations of pedagogical colleges

1. The organization structure of a pedagogical college includes:

a) School Council of a college;

b) Principal, vice-principal;

c) Functional departments or specialized, professional units;

d) Faculties, departments;

đ) Scientific and training council and other advisory councils (if any);

e) Practice schools or practice facilities (if any);

g) Branches, research and development organizations; public service providers, production, business, service facilities (if any).

2. The establishment, shut down of branches of a pedagogical college comply with the regulations of the Government of Vietnam on investment and operational conditions in the education sector.

3. The establishment, dissolution of affiliated units, internal organizations, specifying the organizational structure, duties, powers of each unit, organization is implemented according to current legal regulations, regulations in this Charter and must be concretized in the organizational and operational regulations of the college.

Thus, regarding the organization structure, a pedagogical college must include the above components including the principal and the vice-principal.

What actions are taken in cases where the Chairperson of the School Council of a pedagogical college in Vietnam is unable to work?

Under Clause 7, Article 9 of the Charter of Pedagogical Colleges issued with Circular 23/2022/TT-BGDDT:

Procedures for establishing a School Council of a college; appointment, dismissal of the chairperson of the School Council of a college; temporary suspension of the chairperson's work and other council members; recognition, dismissal of other council members

...

7. Activities of the School Council of a college

a) The School Council of a college meets periodically at least every 3 months and convenes extraordinary meetings upon written request by over 30% of the total members of the council, or written request from the principal or chairperson of the council.

A School Council of a college meeting is valid when more than 50% of the total members are present, including external members. The council works on a collective principle, decisions are made by majority vote unless the organizational regulations specify a higher voting rate; decisions of the council are expressed in the form of resolutions. The meeting minutes and resolutions are sent to all council members and the direct managing agency within 10 working days from the meeting or when the resolution is signed;

b) The term of the council is implemented according to the Vocational Education Law. The council can utilize the stamp and organizational machinery of the college for implementing its functions, duties, and powers;

c) The chairperson of the council receives a position allowance equivalent to that of the principal; the secretary receives an allowance equivalent to that of a department head; allowances for other members are specified in the organizational and operational regulations and the internal financial regulations of the college.

Operational expenses of the council, position allowances for the chairperson, secretary, and other members (if any) are defined in the organizational and operational regulations of the college;

d) Authorization of the council's operation

Thus, when the chairperson of the School Council of a college is unable to work for a period, he/she must authorize in writing one of the remaining members of the council to take over the responsibilities of the chairperson.

The authorization letter must be communicated to all council members, submitted to the direct managing agency, and publicly announced throughout the college. The authorization duration and other related details are specified in the organizational and operational regulations of the college, ensuring compliance with current legal provisions.