The Term of Office for Principals of Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Schools in Vietnam

What are the standards for the principal of a lower secondary and upper secondary school in Vietnam?

Individuals appointed as the principal of public lower and upper secondary schools must meet the standards outlined in Clause 3, Article 11, of the Charter for lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and schools with multiple education levels (the Charter) issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT as follows:

- Regarding education qualifications and years of service, the principal must have the required teacher training qualifications as stipulated by the Education Law 2019 for the education level, possess the required training qualifications at the highest education level for schools with multiple education levels, and have taught for at least 5 years (or 4 years for mountainous areas, islands, highlands, remote areas, ethnic minority regions, and regions with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions) at that education level.

- Principals and vice-principals of secondary schools must meet the standards stipulated in the standards for the principal of lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and schools with multiple education levels according to the standards for the principal of general education institutions issued by the Minister of Education and Training.

What is the term length for the principal of a lower secondary and upper secondary school in Vietnam?

According to Point c, Clause 1, Article 11 of the Charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT, the term of office for the principal of lower and upper secondary schools is 5 years. After each school year, the principal will receive feedback from public employees, staff in the school, and evaluations from the competent authorities as stipulated.

A principal shall not serve at a public secondary school for more than two consecutive terms.

Who has the authority to appoint the principal of lower and upper secondary schools in Vietnam?

The authority to appoint the principal of lower and upper secondary schools is stipulated in Clause 4, Article 11 of the Charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT as follows:

- The Chairman of the District People's Committee decides on the appointment or recognition of principals and vice-principals for lower secondary schools and general education schools with the highest education level being secondary.

The Director of the Department of Education and Training decides on the appointment or recognition of principals and vice-principals for upper secondary schools and general education schools with the highest education level being upper secondary school.

- The process for appointment, recognition, reappointment, and dismissal of principals and vice-principals is carried out according to legal regulations.

- The person with authority to appoint also has the authority to reappoint and dismiss the principal or vice-principal of a lower secondary school.

Thus, the Chairman of the District People’s Committee decides on the appointment of principals for lower secondary schools and general education schools with the highest level being secondary. The Director of the Department of Education and Training decides on the appointment for upper secondary schools and general education schools with the highest level being upper secondary school.

The Term of Office for Principals of Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Schools in Vietnam (Image from the Internet)

Duties and rights of the principal of lower and upper secondary schools in Vietnam 

According to Point d, Clause 1, Article 11 of the Charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT, the principal of a lower secondary or upper secondary school has the following duties and rights:

- Establish and organize the school apparatus according to the provisions of Article 9 of the Charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT; appoint department heads and vice heads; form the school board as required by points dd and e, Clause 1, Article 10 of the Charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT;

- Organize the development of the school's strategy, vision, goals, and development planning; the organizational and operational regulations of the school; the school's annual educational plans for approval by the school board and implement them;

- Carry out the decisions or conclusions of the school board regarding the content stipulated at Point c, Clause 1, Article 10 of the Charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT.

If the principal disagrees with the school board's decision, they should seek guidance from the direct higher education management authority of the school. While awaiting the higher management's opinion, the principal must still implement the school board's decision unless it contravenes current legal regulations and the Charter issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT;

- Report and evaluate the results of the school's educational plan implementation and the school board’s decisions before the school board and the competent authorities;

- Recruit, manage teachers, and staff; sign labor contracts, receive and transfer teachers and staff; manage their professional activities; assign work, evaluate, and classify teachers and staff; recommend rewards and disciplinary measures for teachers and staff according to legal provisions;

- Manage students and school-organized student activities; review and approve student assessments, certifying school records, certifying primary education completion for primary students (if any) in schools with multiple education levels, issuing certificates of completion of general education programs for upper secondary school students (if any), and deciding rewards and disciplinary actions for students;

- Manage the school's finances and assets;

- Implement State policies for teachers, staff, and students; exercise democratic regulations and accountability of the head of the education institution in the school's operations; carry out the work of private investment in the school's education;

- Direct the implementation of emulation movements and campaigns; make the school and society publicly accountable according to legal regulations;

- Participate in professional group activities; engage in self-study and self-training to improve professional and managerial capabilities; enjoy preferential policies for educators and other incentives according to regulations; teach according to the teaching hour standards set for principals;

- Receive professional development training and enjoy the policies and other incentives stipulated by law.