What are conditions for the principals of private upper secondary schools in Vietnam?

What are conditions for the principals of private upper secondary schools in Vietnam?

According to Article 56 Education Law 2019, the principal is the person responsible for managing and operating the school's activities, appointed or recognized by a competent authority. Principals in the national education system must receive training in school management and meet the standards for principals.

In Clause 3, Article 11 of the Charter for lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and schools with multiple levels of education issued with Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT, it is stipulated that the principal of a private upper secondary school in Vietnam must meet the following conditions:

- Regarding educational qualifications and work experience:

+ Must attain the standard educational qualifications for teachers as prescribed by the Education Law 2019 at the respective educational level, or the highest educational level in case of a school with multiple levels of education.

+ Must have taught for at least 05 years (or 04 years in mountainous areas, islands, highlands, remote areas, regions with ethnic minorities, and areas with especially difficult socio-economic conditions) at that educational level.

- Must meet the standards specified for upper secondary school principals as outlined in the standards for principals of primary and secondary education institutions as stipulated in Chapter 2 of the Regulations on Standards for Principals of General Education Institutions, issued with Circular 14/2018/TT-BGDDT.

Additionally, according to Point b, Clause 1, Article 9 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of primary schools, lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and schools with multiple levels of education of the private type, issued with Circular 40/2021/TT-BGDDT:

The principal of a private upper secondary school, when nominated, must not be older than 70 years and must not be a state official or public employee.

What are conditions for the principals of private upper secondary schools in Vietnam?​​ (Image from the Internet)

What is the term of office for the principal of a private upper secondary school in Vietnam?

At Point c, Clause 1, Article 9 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of primary schools, lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and schools with multiple levels of education of the private type, issued with Circular 40/2021/TT-BGDDT, following regulations are stipulated:

Principal, vice-principal

1. Principal

...

c) Term of office of the principal

The term of office of the principal of a private upper secondary school is 05 years; for a private upper secondary school with a foreign principal, the term of office is according to the duration of the work permit and does not exceed 05 years.

During the same period, one person can only be the principal of one private upper secondary school.

...

Thus, the term of office for the principal of a private upper secondary school is 05 years. For a foreign principal of a private upper secondary school, the term of office will follow the duration of the work permit and shall not exceed 05 years.

Can the principal of a private high school in Vietnam also be a member of the Board of Supervisors?

At Article 8 of the Regulation on the organization and operation of primary schools, lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, and schools with multiple levels of education of the private type, issued with Circular 40/2021/TT-BGDDT, it is regulated on the Board of Supervisors of private upper secondary schools as follows:

Board of Supervisors

1. The Board of Supervisors of a private school is elected by the investor conference or the owner. The Board of Supervisors includes a head and members. The number of members of the Board of Supervisors ranges from 03 to 05 people, including representatives of investors, teachers, staff, and parents. The Board of Supervisors must have at least 01 member with accounting expertise.

2. Members of the Board of Supervisors cannot concurrently be members of the school council, principal, chief accountant; and must not be the parents, spouses, or children of members of the school council, principal, or chief accountant of that school.

3. The term of office of the Board of Supervisors follows the term of the school council.

4. The Board of Supervisors has the following rights and duties:

a) Inspect and supervise the activities of the school, the school council, leaders, and other organizations within the school.

b) Inspect and supervise financial activities and transparency of financial policies of the school.

c) Periodically inform the school council of its activities and the content of its reports, conclusions, and recommendations before being officially presented to the investor conference or owner.

d) Report to the investor conference or owner on the results of inspecting and supervising the school’s activities at the investor conference or owner’s meetings.

dd) Perform other rights and duties as specified in the school’s organizational and operational regulations.

Members of the Board of Supervisors of a private upper secondary school cannot concurrently be members of the school council, the principal, or the chief accountant; and must not be parents, spouses, or children of members of the school council, the principal, or the chief accountant of the school.

Therefore, the principal of a private upper secondary school cannot simultaneously be a member of the Board of Supervisors of that private upper secondary school.