Vietnam: How many years is the term of office for the principal of a private lower secondary school?

Is a person who is older than 70 years of age nominated to be the principal of a private lower secondary school?

According to the regulations stipulated in point a, clause 1 of Article 9 of the regulation on organization and operation of private primary schools, middle schools, high schools and combined schools issued with Circular 40/2021/TT-BGDDT of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam:

School principal, deputy principal (s);

1. School principal

a) The principal of a private school shall manage and direct the school's operations and take responsibility for the school’s educational quality.

b) The principal of the private school must meet all requirements as prescribed in the Charter of private schools, not be older than 70 years of age when he/she is nominated and not be an official, an employee of the state personnel.

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Thus, according to the above regulation, the nominee for the principal of a private lower secondary school must not be over 70 years old.

How many years is the term of office for the principal of a private lower secondary school? (Image from the Internet)

How many years is the term of office for the principal of a private lower secondary school?

According to the regulations stipulated in point c, clause 1 of Article 9 of the regulation on organization and operation of private primary schools, middle schools, high schools and combined schools issued with Circular 40/2021/TT-BGDDT:

School principal, deputy principal (s);

1. School principal

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c) The tenure of a principal

The tenure of the principal shall be 05 years. In case of the private school with a foreign principal, the principal's tenure shall comply with the work permit and not exceed 5 years.

Each person may not hold the Principal position concurrently in two private schools.

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The term of the principal of a private school is 05 years; for a private school with a foreign principal, the term of the principal is according to the duration of the work permit but not exceeding 05 years.

Thus, under normal conditions, the term of the principal of a private lower secondary school is 05 years.

What are the duties of the principal of a private lower secondary school?

Firstly, the responsibilities of the principal are stipulated in Article 56 of the Education Law 2019 of Vietnam. School principal is responsible for managing the school's operations and is appointed or recognised by a competent authority.

Standards, duties and powers of school principal; appointment procedure of principals of vocational education and higher education institutions shall be implemented as prescribed in the Law on Vocational education, Law on Higher education and other relevant provisions.

Specifically, according to the regulations stipulated in Article 9 of the regulation on organization and operation of private primary schools, middle schools, high schools and combined schools issued with Circular 40/2021/TT-BGDDT:

- Formulate the school’s development planning; the school’s organizational and operational regulations; and the school’s annual education plans, which shall be proposed to the school council for approval and implementation;

- Organize teaching activities and other activities according to regulations, ensure the quality, comply with regulations of the Law and the plan approved by the school council in order to achieve goals of developing the school;

- Implement the school council's resolutions; organize and administer professional activities, ensure the quality of education and operation of the school within their duties and rights;

- Sign labor contracts with teachers and staff in case of being authoritized by the investor or owner conference; appoint and dismiss group leaders and vice-leaders, reward and discipline teachers, staff and students in accordance with regulations of the Law after approval of the school council;

- Make estimates and annual budget settlement then submit them to the investor or owner conference for approval and implement according to regulations; send regular reports to the investor or owner conference; school council and the competent agencies related to financial activities and operation of the school;

- Ensure order, security, environment protection and safety in the school;

- Attend the meetings of the school council (if he/she is not a member) without voting right; report teaching activities to the school council, the investor or owner conference; reserve his/her opinions different from the decision of the school council then send report to the superior education authority for consideration.

- Perform other duties and rights as prescribed per the law.

Ensuring order, security, environmental protection, and safety within the school is one of the responsibilities of the principal of a private school.

Who has the authority to recognize the principal of a private lower secondary school?

According to the regulations in clause 3 of Article 9 of the regulation on organization and operation of private primary schools, middle schools, high schools and combined schools issued with Circular 40/2021/TT-BGDDT:

School principal, deputy principal (s);

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3. Competence in recognition of principal and deputy principal(s)

a) The Chairpersons of district-level People's Committees shall issue decision on recognition for the school’s principal and deputy principal (s) of primary schools, middle schools and combined schools (in which the middle school is the highest level). Directors of the Department of Education and Training shall issue decision on recognition for the principal and deputy principal (s) of high schools, combined schools (in which the high school is the highest level).

b) The principal and deputy principal (s) of the private school invested by foreign investors shall be recognized by the competent authority which gives permission for establishment of the school.

Thus, according to the regulations, the Chairman of the District People's Committee has the authority to recognize the principal.

Additionally, the principal of a private school invested by foreign investors is recognized by the competent authority that is authorized to establish the school.