Vietnam: What is the time limit for preparing for the new academic year by public preschool teachers?

What is the time limit for preparing for the new academic year by public preschool teachers in Vietnam?

According to the provisions in Article 3 of Circular 48/2011/TT-BGDDT regarding working period and annual leave for teachers as follows:

Annual working period and breaks for teachers

1. The working period in a year for preschool teachers is 42 weeks, including:

a) 35 weeks of feeding, caring for, and educating children (hereinafter collectively referred to as teaching children);

b) 4 weeks for learning and professional development;

c) 2 weeks for preparing for the new academic year;

d) 1 week for summarizing the academic year.

2. Annual breaks for preschool teachers includes: summer vacation and other holidays. To be specific:

a) The summer vacation for teachers is 08 weeks, during which they receive full salary and allowances (if any);

b) Other holidays shall comply with the provisions of the Labor Code and current regulations.

Based on the plan of the academic year, the scale, characteristics, and specific conditions of each school, the Principal shall reasonably arrange the annual breaks for teachers conformably.

Under the above regulations, the working period in a year for preschool teachers is 42 weeks, including:

- 35 weeks of feeding, caring for, and educating children (hereinafter collectively referred to as teaching children);

- 4 weeks for learning and professional development;

- 2 weeks for preparing for the new academic year;

- 1 week for summarizing the academic year.

Thus, preschool teachers will have 2 weeks to prepare for the new academic year.

What is the time limit for preparing for the new academic year by public preschool teachers in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

How many are the teaching hours per week for public preschool teachers teaching 2 sessions per day in Vietnam?

Under Article 4 of Circular 48/2011/TT-BGDDT regulating teachers' teaching hours:

Teachers' teaching hours

1. For teachers teaching daycare groups and kindergarten classes with 2 sessions per day, each teacher teaches in class for 6 hours per day and performs preparatory work for teaching in classroom as well as other tasks assigned by the Principal to ensure they work 40 hours per week.

2. For teachers teaching daycare groups and kindergarten classes with 1 session per day, each teacher teaches in class for 4 hours per day and performs preparatory work for teaching in classroom as well as other tasks assigned by the Principal to ensure they work 40 hours per week.

3. For teachers teaching classes with integrated disabled children, each teacher teaches the number of hours specified in clause 1 or clause 2 of this Article; for every disabled child per class, each teacher is credited with an additional 0.5 teaching hours per day.

4. For principals and vice-principals, in addition to performing their duties as principals and vice-principals as specified in the preschool charter, the principal must directly participate in educational activities (either teaching children or observing teachers' instruction) 2 hours per week; the vice-principal must directly participate in educational activities 4 hours per week.

Thus,  teaching hours of preschool teachers teaching kindergarten classes 2 sessions per day will be 6 hours per day. These preschool teachers shall carry out preparatory work for teaching in the classroom and other tasks as assigned by the Principal to ensure they work 40 hours per week.

What are the required qualifications for public preschool teachers in Vietnam?

Article 72 of the Law on Education 2019 stipulates the qualifications of teachers:

[-] Possessing a college degree in preschool education or higher for preschool teachers;

*Note: The Government of Vietnam prescribes the roadmap for upgrading the training qualifications of preschool, primary, and secondary school teachers as stipulated in points a and b, clause 1, Article 72 of the Law on Education 2019.

The Minister of Education and Training, the Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, within the scope of their duties and powers, prescribe the employment of teachers who do not meet the qualifications specified in clause 1, Article 72 of the Law on Education 2019.

Thus, public preschool teachers are required to possess a college degree in preschool education or higher.

What are the training and retraining policies for public preschool teachers in Vietnam?

Under Article 73 of the Law on Education 2019, public preschool teachers are entitled to the following training and retaining policies:

- The state has training and retaining policies to enhance political, professional qualifications for teachers; teachers sent for training and retaining shall enjoy full salaries and allowances as prescribed by the Government of Vietnam.

- Educational institutions are responsible for creating conditions for teachers to be trained and meet the standards stipulated by law.