Vietnam: What are the standardized educational qualifications and professional standards for primary school teachers?

What are the standardized educational qualifications of teachers in Vietnam under the Law on Education 2019?

Under Article 72 of the Law on Education 2019, the standardized educational qualifications of teachers are regulated as follows:

- Standardized educational qualifications of teachers are regulated as follows:

+ Teachers of preschool education teachers must possess at least a pedagogical college diploma;

+ Teachers of primary education, lower secondary education and upper secondary education must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in pedagogy training.

In case a subject is yet to acquire enough teachers with bachelor’s degree in pedagogy training, teachers of this subject must possess a bachelor's degree of suitable specialization and a certificate of pedagogy training;

+ Lecturers of higher education must possess a master’s degree; lecturers teaching or instructing master or doctor’s theses must possess a doctoral degree.

+ Standardized educational qualifications of teachers working in institutions of vocational education shall follow regulations in the Law on Vocational Education 2014.

- The Government shall specify road maps for improving standardized educational qualifications of teachers of preschool education, primary education and lower secondary education as prescribed in point a and point b of clause 1, Article 72 of the Law on Education 2019.

Within the scope of their duties and authorities, the Minister of Education and Training and Minister of Labour - War Invalids and Social Affairs shall stipulate employment of teachers not meeting criteria prescribed in clause 1, Article 72 of the Law on Education 2019.

What are the standardized educational qualifications and professional standards for primary school teachers in Vietnam?

Under Article 30 of the Primary School Charter issued together with Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT, regulations on the standardized educational qualifications and professional standards for primary school teachers in Vietnam are as follows:

- The standardized educational qualifications for primary school teachers are possession of a bachelor's degree in primary education teacher training or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate major and a pedagogy retraining certificate in primary education.

- The professional standards for primary school teachers shall follow regulations. Annually, teachers conduct self-assessments and are periodically assessed by the school based on the professional standards for primary school teachers, which serve as a basis for developing learning and retraining plans to enhance their professional capabilities.

What are the standardized educational qualifications and professional standards for primary school teachers in Vietnam?

What are the duties of primary school teachers in Vietnam?

Under Clause 1, Article 27 of the Primary School Charter issued together with Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT, the duties of primary school teachers in Vietnam are regulated as follows:

- Implement the primary education program and the school's education plan.

Proactively implement and take responsibility for the education plan; independently and responsibly perform professional duties (content, teaching methods, student assessment) and the quality and effectiveness of each student's education in their assigned class, ensuring compliance with the education program, suitability to students' needs, and the specific conditions of the school.

- Participate in formulating the education plan of the professional group and the school; regularly update directives from the sector; prepare, organize teaching, and assess students according to regulations; and carry out other professional activities.

- Build a friendly and democratic relationship between teachers and students, between teachers and parents, and the community; help students become proactive, creative, confident, and independent in learning and training.

- Maintain the qualities, honor, and reputation of teachers; exhibit cultural behavior; maintain solidarity and support colleagues; set an example for students; show love, fairness, and respect towards students; protect students' lawful rights and interests.

- Conduct self-assessment according to teachers' professional standards; engage in self-learning and self-training to enhance professional capabilities; regularly participate in professional development activities; and share and exchange professional knowledge with colleagues inside and outside the school.

- Apply information technology in teaching, learning, and professional activities; be creative and flexible in creating teaching aids.

- Participate in selecting textbooks as per regulations; request the school to equip appropriate reference publications and teaching equipment for use in teaching.

- Participate in educational quality accreditation.

- Contribute to compulsory education, educational universalization, and literacy eradication efforts in the local area.

- Collaborate with the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization, students' families, the community, and related social organizations to fulfill educational tasks.

- Manage and execute the education plan at the school site as assigned by the principal.

- Perform other duties as prescribed by law and as assigned by the principal.

Moreover, homeroom teachers, in addition to the above tasks, have the following additional duties:

- Proactively gather information about each student in the assigned class; design educational activities that clearly reflect the objectives, content, and methods of education, ensuring feasibility, suitability to students' characteristics, and practicality to promote the progress of the entire class and each individual student.

- Carry out educational activities according to the plan approved by the principal.

- Work closely with parents or guardians, teachers, leaders of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization, and relevant social organizations to organize educational activities, support, and supervise students' learning and training in their assigned class; compile feedback and assess students at the end of the first semester and the school year; guide students in voting and recommending awards; draft a list of students recommended for retention; and complete student report cards.

- Periodic or ad hoc reporting on the class situation to the principal.

Additionally, teachers serving as the leader of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization are accountable to the principal for developing and implementing the activity plans of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization and Ho Chi Minh Children's Star, contributing to the overall educational objectives for students.