Are the principals and vice-principals of lower secondary schools in Vietnam required to complete the regulatory teaching norms?

Are the principals and vice-principals of lower secondary schools in Vietnam required to complete the regulatory teaching norms?

Under Article 7 of the Regulations on working policies for general education teachers issued with Circular 28/2009/TT-BGDDT, supplemented by Clause 6, Clause 7 Article 1 of Circular 15/2017/TT-BGDDT, the teaching norms for principals and vice-principals are stipulated as follows:

Teaching norms for principals and vice-principals

1. Principals and vice-principals of general education institutions are tasked with teaching a number of lessons to comprehend the content, educational program, and students' learning situation to enhance management efficiency.

2. Teaching norms for principals and vice-principals.

The annual teaching norm for principals is calculated as: 2 lessons/week x number of weeks allocated for teaching and educational activities according to the academic year plan regulations;

The annual teaching norm for vice-principals is calculated as: 4 lessons/week x number of weeks allocated for teaching and educational activities according to the academic year plan regulations.

2a. Principals, vice-principals of general education institutions, and pre-university schools cannot convert policies to reduce teaching lessons based on other concurrent positions in lieu of the teaching norms stipulated in this Circular.

Under Official Dispatch 8499/BGDDT-NGCBQLGD 2012, guidance is provided as follows:

For principals and vice-principals of primary, lower secondary schools, and upper secondary schools: the regulatory number of lessons is 2 lessons/week for principals and 4 lessons/week for vice-principals. To facilitate principals and vice-principals in focusing on leadership and management tasks while simultaneously participating in teaching, the teaching assignment should be flexible and appropriate to the conditions of each school. The teaching content for principals and vice-principals may include: (1) participating in teaching classes according to trained specialties (elective subjects/themes); (2) participating in teaching moral education (for primary education programs); (3) conducting educational activities outside class hours and vocational guidance activities. principals and vice-principals can fully undertake the teaching programs or substitute for teachers on leave, such as for study purposes, illness, maternity, remedial teaching for weak students, coaching for excellent students, and professional development for teachers, ensuring the total number of stipulated teaching lessons for principals and vice-principals is met according to existing regulations.

Therefore, principals and vice-principals of lower secondary schools are still required to complete the regulatory teaching norms.

Are the principals and vice-principals of lower secondary schools in Vietnam required to complete the regulatory teaching norms? (Image from the Internet)

What are the standards for principals of lower secondary schools in Vietnam?

Under Clause 3, Article 11 of the lower secondary school, upper secondary school and multi-level school charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT, the standards for principals of lower secondary schools in Vietnam are stipulated as follows:

- Regarding qualifications and years of experience: meet the qualification standards of teachers provided for in the Education Law applicable to the in charged education level or to the highest education level of the multi-level school and have at least 05 years of teaching experience (or 04 years for mountainous areas, islands, remote and isolated areas, areas where ethnic minorities reside and areas with exceptional socio-economic difficulties) in the in charged education level.

- Meet the standards provided for in the standards for principals of lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools and multi-level schools, which are in compliance with standards for principals of general education institutions promulgated by the Minister of Education and Training.

Is the principal of a lower secondary school in Vietnam a school council member?

Under point b, Clause 1, Article 10 of the lower secondary school, upper secondary school and multi-level school charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT:

School council

1. School council of a public secondary school:

...

b) The school shall be composed of the secretary of the Party Executive Committee; school principal; chairperson of trade union; secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, representatives of specialized teams and office team; and representatives of the local government, parent committees and students.

The school council shall have a chairperson, a secretary and other members, and an odd number of members between 07 and 15. The council’s tenure shall be 05 years.

Thus, the principal of a lower secondary school in Vietnam is a school council member.