Vietnam: Which document is the latest charter for secondary schools?

Which document is the latest charter for secondary schools?

Currently, the latest charter for lower secondary schools is officially named the lower secondary school, upper secondary school and multi-level school charter that was issued together with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam.

Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT has been effective since November 1, 2020, and provides for organization and operation of lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools and multi-level schools, including school organization and management; organization of education activities in school; duties and rights of teachers and staff; duties and rights of students; property and finance of the school; and relationship between the school, the family and the society.

At the same time, Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT replaces Circular 12/2011/TT-BGDDT dated March 28, 2011, by the Minister of Education and Training, which issued the Charter for Lower Secondary Schools, Upper Secondary Schools, and Multi-level Schools.

To whom does the latest charter for lower secondary schools apply?

Additionally, the lower secondary school, upper secondary school and multi-level school charter that was issued together with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT is applicable to lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, multi-level schools, special schools and other educational institutions adopting the general education curricula (hereinafter collectively referred to as “secondary schools”) and relevant organizations and individuals.

What are the duties of lower secondary schools according to the latest charter?

Based on Article 3 of the lower secondary school, upper secondary school and multi-level school charter that was issued together with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT, the duties and powers of secondary schools are prescribed as follows:

- Formulate the school’s development plans and strategies as appropriate to the socio-economic situation of the location where the school is located; determine the school’s vision, mission, and core values in relation to education, culture, history and traditions.

- Develop and launch the school’s education plans in accordance with the general education curricula promulgated by the Minister of Education and Training. Cooperate with students’ families, organizations and individuals in organization of educational activities.

 -Admit and receive students, and manage students according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

- Launch plans for universalization of education as assigned.

- Enable teachers, staff and students to participate in social activities.

- Manage teachers and staff as prescribed by law.

- Mobilize, manage and use resources for education in compliance with the law.

- Manage, use and preserve facilities and equipment as per the law.

- Carry out activities of educational quality assurance, assessment and accreditation according to regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

- Publicly announce the school’s commitment to educational quality, educational quality assurance conditions, and revenues and expenditures in compliance with the law.

- Practice democracy and accountability in management of educational activities; ensure the participation of students, students’ families and the society in management of educational activities as prescribed by law.

- Perform other duties and exercise other powers as prescribed by law.

Which document is the latest charter for secondary schools? (Image from the Internet)

How many types of secondary schools are defined in the latest charter?

According to Article 4 of the lower secondary school, upper secondary school and multi-level school charter that was issued together with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT, secondary school types and systems are as follows:

Secondary school types and systems

1. There are two types of secondary schools: public schools and private schools.

a) A public secondary school is established and directly managed by the competent authority. The school’s facilities and recurrent expenditures are mostly covered by state budget.

b) A private secondary school has its establishment invested in and operating conditions guaranteed by a foreign or Vietnamese investor and is established under the law.  The school’s facilities and operating expenses are not covered by state budget.

2. Single-level secondary schools include:

a) Lower secondary schools.

b) Upper secondary schools.

3. Multi-level schools include:

a) Combined primary and lower secondary schools.

b) Combined lower secondary and upper secondary schools.

c) Combined primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools.

4. Special schools and other educational institutions include:

a) Boarding general education schools and semi-boarding general education schools for ethnic minorities.

b) Specialized upper secondary schools and schools for gifted students.

c) Schools and classes for persons with disabilities.

d) Correctional institutions.

dd) Other educational institutions.

Thus, the charter for lower secondary schools stipulates two types: public and private.

- Public lower secondary schools are established and directly managed by competent state authorities.

- Private lower secondary schools are invested in by domestic or foreign investors who ensure operational conditions and are established according to legal regulations.