What is a teacher according to the law in Vietnam? What are standardized educational qualifications of teachers in Vietnam?

What is a teacher according to the law in Vietnam?

Based on Article 66 of the 2019 Education Law:

Position, roles of teachers

1. Teachers are persons who carry out teaching and educating at educational institutions, except for educational institutions prescribed in point c clause 1 Article 65 of this Law.

Teachers working at institutions of preschool education, general education and other educational institutions or teaching elementary-level, intermediate-level are called teachers; teachers of colleges and higher qualifications are called lecturers.

2. Teachers play the decisive role in ensuring education quality, hold an important position in society and are honoured by society.

Thus, a teacher is a person teaching at preschool, general education institutions, or other educational institutions, teaching at primary and intermediate levels.

What is a teacher according to the law in Vietnam? What are standardized educational qualifications of teachers in Vietnam?​ (Image from the Internet)

What are standardized educational qualifications of teachers in Vietnam?

Based on Article 72 of the 2019 Education Law:

Standardized educational qualifications of teachers

1. Standardized educational qualifications of teachers are regulated as follows:

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

b) 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;

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

d) Standardized educational qualifications of teachers working in institutions of vocational education shall follow regulations in the Law on Vocational education.

2. 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 of this Article. 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 of this Article.

Thus, teachers must have the following standard qualifications:

- 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.

Note: 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.

How long is the summer vacation of preschool and general education teachers in Vietnam?

According to Article 70 of the 2019 Education Law, the rights of teachers are as follows:

Rights of teachers

Teachers have the right to:

1. Teach according to their educated specialization.

2. Receive further education and training to improve political qualification, professional qualification and knowledge.

3. Work under contract as visiting teacher and/or researcher in other educational or research institutions.

4. Be protected with regards to their honor, dignity and physical wellbeing;

5. Have summer vacation as stipulated by the Government and other holidays as prescribed by law.

Additionally, according to Article 3 of Decree 84/2020/ND-CP guiding the 2019 Education Law:

Summer vacation periods for teachers

1. Summer vacation periods for teachers:

a) The annual summer vacation period for teachers in preschool education institutions, general education institutions, and specialized schools is 08 weeks, including annual leave;

b) The annual summer vacation period for teachers in intermediate schools and lecturers in colleges is 06 weeks, including annual leave;

c) The annual summer vacation period for lecturers in higher education institutions is implemented according to the organization and operation regulations of the higher education institution;

d) In cases of emergencies, disasters, disease prevention, or urgent situations, the summer vacation period for teachers in preschool education institutions, general education institutions, specialized schools, intermediate schools, and colleges shall be decided by the Minister of Education and Training, the Minister of Labor - War Invalids and Social Affairs according to their authority.

2. Besides the summer vacation period as prescribed in clause 1 of this Article, teachers and lecturers are entitled to holidays, New Year, and other days off as prescribed by the Labor Code.

3. Based on the academic year time plan issued by the Ministry of Education and Training and the specific conditions of the locality, the Chairperson of the People's Committee of the province, centrally affiliated city (hereinafter referred to as the provincial People's Committee) shall decide the summer vacation timing for teachers in preschool education institutions and general education schools in the area.

Based on the provisions at point b, clause 1 of this Article, the principal of intermediate schools and colleges shall decide the summer vacation timing for teachers and lecturers suitable to the training plan and specific conditions of each school.

4. The summer vacation of teachers in educational institutions under the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense shall be implemented according to separate regulations of the Government of Vietnam.

Thus, the annual summer vacation period for teachers in preschool education institutions and general education institutions is 08 weeks, including annual leave.