Who shall issue the physical education program in lower secondary school in Vietnam? Is physical education an optional or compulsory subject in Vietnam?

Who shall issue the physical education program in lower secondary school in Vietnam?

Based on point a, clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 11/2015/ND-CP, following regulations are stipulated:

Physical Education Program

1. The Physical Education program is part of the general education program, vocational education, and higher education; the physical education content is part of the preschool education program, reflecting the physical education objectives; it prescribes the standards for knowledge, skills, the scope and structure of physical education content, methods, and forms of organizing physical education activities, and the methods of evaluating the outcomes of the Physical Education subject at each level of education or training.

2. Authority to issue the Physical Education Program

a) The Minister of Education and Training issues the Physical Education program as part of the general education program, and the physical education content is part of the preschool education program.

b) Directors of universities, academies, and principals of universities are responsible for developing, appraising, and issuing the training programs of their institutions, including the Physical Education program as regulated by the Minister of Education and Training.

c) Principals of colleges and vocational schools are responsible for developing, appraising, and issuing the training programs of their institutions, including the Physical Education program as per the guidelines of the heads of central state management agencies on vocational education.

The Minister of Education and Training of Vietnam issues the Physical Education program as part of the general education program, and the physical education content is part of the preschool education program.

Thus, the Physical Education program in lower secondary schools is issued by the Minister of Education and Training.

Who shall issue the physical education program in lower secondary school in Vietnam? Is physical education in Vietnam an optional or compulsory subject?​ (Image from the Internet)

Is physical education an optional or compulsory subject in Vietnam?

Based on clause 1, Article 2 of Decree 11/2015/ND-CP, following regulations are stipulated:

Position, objectives of physical education, and sports activities in schools

1. Physical education in schools is an educational subject, a compulsory subject, part of the education program at all levels of education and training, and aims to equip children and students with basic movement knowledge and skills, foster the habit of exercising to enhance health, develop physical strength and stature, thus contributing to the comprehensive education objectives.

2. Sports activities in schools are voluntary activities for students, organized through extracurricular activities, sports clubs, groups, individuals, suitable to their preferences, gender, age, and health, aiming to perfect movement skills, support physical education objectives through practice and sports competitions, and provide opportunities for students to exercise their rights to play, entertain, and develop athletic talents; discover and nurture sports talents.

Physical education in schools is an educational subject, a compulsory subject and a part of the education program at all levels of education and training. The objective is to equip children and students with basic movement knowledge and skills, foster the habit of exercising to enhance health, develop physical strength and stature, thus contributing to the comprehensive education objectives.

Thus, according to the above regulation, the Physical Education subject in lower secondary schools is an educational subject and a compulsory subject.

What are requirements for teaching physical education in lower secondary schools in Vietnam?

Based on clause 1, Article 4 of Decree 11/2015/ND-CP, following regulations are stipulated:

Physical Education and Sports Teachers and Lecturers

1. Physical education and sports teachers and lecturers must ensure the standards and training levels of educators as prescribed in Article 70 and Article 77 of the Education Law.

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According to the above regulation, physical education and sports lecturers in lower secondary schools must ensure the standards and training levels of educators as prescribed in Article 67 and clause 1, Article 72 of the Law on Education 2019 as follows:

- Have good qualities, thoughts, and ethics;

- Meet professional standards according to job positions;

- Have the skills to update and improve professional competency;

- Meet health standards as required by the profession;

- Have a bachelor's degree in teacher training or higher for secondary school teachers. If the subject lacks teachers with a bachelor's degree in teacher training, they must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and a certificate in pedagogy.