Is the opening day of school the same as the starting date of a new academic year in Vietnam?

Is the opening day of school the same as the starting date of a new academic year in Vietnam?

To answer the above question, you may refer to Article 1 of Decision 2045/QD-BGDDT in 2024:

Issuing the framework for the school year 2024 - 2025 for preschool, general education, and continuing education applied nationwide as follows:

1. The earliest school start is one week before the school opening day. For grade 1, the earliest school start is two weeks before the school opening day.

2. The school opening is organized on September 5, 2024.

3. The first semester concludes before January 18, 2025, and the school year program is completed, ending before May 31, 2025.

4. Review and recognize the completion of the primary school program and review and recognize middle school graduation before June 30, 2025.

5. Complete admissions for entry-level classes before July 31, 2025.

6. High school graduation exam in 2025 is expected to take place on June 26 and June 27, 2025.

7. Other national examinations are organized according to regulations.

Thus, the school start and the opening day of school are two entirely different concepts.

In 2024, students will start school at the earliest one week before the school opening day. For grade 1, students will start school at the earliest two weeks before the school opening. The school opening will be held on September 5, 2024.

How many weeks of actual classes are there in the academic year 2024-2025 in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 2 of Decision 2045/QD-BGDDT in 2024, the principles for building the school year plan of localities are as follows:

Principles for building the school year plan of localities

1. The school year plan of localities must ensure a total of 35 weeks of actual study (18 weeks for the first semester, 17 weeks for the second semester).

2. The school year plan should be suitable to the practical conditions of the locality.

3. Public holidays and Tet are implemented according to the Labor Code and annual guiding documents.

4. Teachers' annual leave is taken during summer break or can be allocated intermittently to suit specific conditions and the school year plan of the locality.

5. The school year plan should ensure synchronization for all educational levels within a residential area, especially in schools that have multiple educational levels.

Thus, the 2024-2025 school year has 35 weeks of actual study (18 weeks in the first semester, 17 weeks in the second semester).

Localities build the school year plan ensuring synchronization for all educational levels within a residential area, especially in schools that have multiple educational levels.

Is the opening day of school the same as the starting date of a new academic year in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

Who Has the Authority to Decide for Students to Take Time Off School Due to Severe Weather in Vietnam?

According to Article 3 of Decision 2045/QD-BGDDT in 2024, the responsibilities for implementation are as follows:

Responsibilities for implementation

1. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-run city decides:

a) The school year plan for preschool, general education, and continuing education suitable to local practical conditions.

b) The earliest school start date and the extended school year not exceeding 15 days compared to the regulations in Article 1 of this Decision to ensure the implementation and completion of the preschool, general education, and continuing education programs in case of natural disasters, epidemics; for unique cases that arise, report to the Ministry of Education and Training before implementation.

2. Director of the Department of Education and Training:

a) Decides to let students take time off school in case of severe weather, natural disasters, and arranges make-up classes; ensures teachers’ vacation time during the school year.

b) Reports to the Ministry of Education and Training on:

- The preparation for the new school year and the organization of the school opening for the 2024 - 2025 school year before September 10, 2024;

- Summarizes the implementation of key tasks, solutions of the 2024 - 2025 school year, and the results of implementing the emulation criteria, and submits commendation proposals before June 25, 2025.

Thus, the decision to let students take time off school due to severe weather falls within the authority of the Director of the Department of Education and Training.