Vietnam: What are the regulations on use of textbooks and teaching equipment by primary schools?

What are the regulations on the use of textbooks and teaching equipment by primary schools in Vietnam?

Under Article 18 of the Charter of Primary Schools issued together with Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT, the use of textbooks and teaching equipment by primary schools is regulated as follows:

- Primary schools use textbooks approved by the Minister of Education and Training and decided by the Provincial People's Committee for selection and use in teaching and learning activities within primary schools in the locality; teachers and students use textbooks in teaching and learning activities to achieve educational goals, content, and requirements for student's qualities and competencies specified in the primary education program; primary schools must promptly provide sufficient information about the textbooks used at the school so that students and their families are informed.

- Teaching equipment used in the school belongs to the list of minimum teaching equipment prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training and other teaching equipment as stipulated in the public education program.

Additionally, the school organizes the selection and provision of reference publications to serve the teaching and research activities of teachers as per Ministry of Education and Training regulations; teachers are encouraged to use reference publications to improve the quality of education.

No organization or individual is allowed to force students to buy reference materials.

Local educational materials are compiled and assessed under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee to meet local needs and suitability and are approved by the Minister of Education and Training, complying with primary education program goals and content.

What are the regulations on the use of textbooks and teaching equipment by primary schools in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are the regulations on classes and class organization in primary schools in Vietnam?

The regulations on classes and class organization in primary schools are stipulated in Article 16 of the Charter of Primary Schools issued together with Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT as follows:

- Students shall be divided into classes. Each class holds no more than 35 students and is overseen by a homeroom teacher. Each inclusive class has no more than 02 students with disabilities; in special cases, the principal can arrange more students with disabilities in a class based on actual conditions to ensure that students with disabilities who have needs and capabilities are all able to attend school.

In mountainous, remote, and especially disadvantaged areas, composite classes may be organized. The number of students and the number of proficiency levels in a composite class must match the teaching capacity of the teacher and the actual conditions of the school. Such a composite class holds no more than 02 proficiency levels; special cases decided by authorities will allow no more than 03 proficiency levels. A composite class has no more than 15 students.

- Each class shall have a class monitor and deputy class monitors who are self-nominated or introduced by the homeroom teacher and elected by the students of the class throughout the academic year. Each class shall be divided into different student teams, and each team shall have a team leader and deputy team leader who are self-nominated or introduced by the homeroom teacher and favored by the team members throughout the academic year. The class organization method is flexible to suit different students and actual conditions.

Class activities ensure democracy, self-management, and cooperation. Each student actively discusses, and participates in planning activities for the team, and class, with the support of the teacher.

- Classes of the same level are organized into 01 Grade to coordinate common activities. The ratio of male to female students and the number of students should be balanced across classes within the grade.

- Depending on local conditions, primary schools can have additional school branches in different locations to make it convenient for students to attend. The principal assigns a vice principal to be in charge of the school branches.

Do primary schools in Vietnam have to implement the education universalization plan?

Education universalization and compulsory education in primary schools are regulated in Article 20 of the Charter of Primary Schools issued together with Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT. Specifically:

Education universalization, compulsory education and illiteracy eradication, inclusive education

1. The school participates in the steering committee, develops, and implements the education universalization plan, compulsory education, illiteracy eradication, and ensures primary education is compulsory at the local level.

2. Coordinate with local authorities and organizations to mobilize children and individuals within the scope of education universalization, compulsory education, and illiteracy eradication to attend school; organize learning and education activities ensuring the quality of Education universalization, compulsory education, and illiteracy eradication.

3. Participate in surveys, update data, manage rducation universalization, compulsory education, and illiteracy eradication records as assigned by the locality; coordinate in checking and evaluating the results of education universalization, compulsory education, and illiteracy eradication at the commune level; advise communal authorities to recommend the District People's Committee to check and recognize meeting education universalization, compulsory education, and illiteracy eradication standards as prescribed.

4. Implement inclusive education for students with special circumstances, students with disabilities in primary schools in accordance with the Law on Persons with Disabilities, implementation guidelines for the Law on Persons with Disabilities, these Charter provisions, and inclusive education regulations for persons with disabilities issued by the Minister of Education and Training.

Thus, primary schools participate in the steering committee, develop, and implement the education universalization plan, and ensure primary education is compulsory at the local level.