Conditions to Become a Principal, Vice Principal of Primary, Lower Secondary, and Upper Secondary Schools in Vietnam (Latest)

Conditions to Become a Principal or Vice-Principal for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools (Illustrative Image)

Recently, the Minister of Education and Training has issued Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT and Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT stipulating the regulations for Primary, Secondary, and High Schools. According to these two Circulars, the conditions to become a principal or vice-principal for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools are stipulated as follows:

1. Conditions to Become a Principal or Vice-Principal for Primary Schools in Vietnam

* Conditions to Become a Primary School Principal:

According to Clause 1, Article 11, and Clause 1, Article 30 of Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT, the person appointed as a principal for a public school or recognized as a principal for a private school must meet the following conditions:

- Must meet the standards specified in the Standards for Principals of General Education Institutions as stipulated in Circular 14/2018/TT-BGDDT;- Must reach the trained standard level for educators as prescribed by the Education Law for the primary level;- Must have taught for at least 5 years (or 4 years for mountainous areas, islands, highlands, remote areas, ethnic minority areas, areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions) at the primary level;- Must hold a bachelor's degree in primary education teacher training or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate specialization along with a certificate in primary education pedagogy.

Comparison with current regulations:

Clause 2, Article 20 of Circular 41/2010/TT-BGDDT stipulates that the person appointed or recognized as a principal of a primary school must meet the standards of a primary school principal.

* Conditions to Become a Primary School Vice-Principal:

A Vice-Principal is known as a person who assists the principal and is responsible to the principal; manages the tasks assigned by the principal; and manages the school's activities when authorized by the principal.

The conditions to become a Primary School Vice-Principal are stipulated in Clause 2, Article 11 of Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT as follows:

- Must reach a high level in the Standards for Professional Ethics of General Education Teachers as stipulated in Circular 20/2018/TT-BGDDT;- Must have sufficient capacity to undertake the tasks assigned by the principal;

- Must reach the trained standard level for educators as prescribed by the Education Law for the primary level;

- Must have taught for at least 5 years (or 4 years for mountainous areas, islands, highlands, remote areas, ethnic minority areas, areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions) at the primary level;

- Must hold a bachelor's degree in primary education teacher training or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate specialization along with a certificate in primary education pedagogy.

Comparison with current regulations:

Clause 2, Article 21 of Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT stipulates that the person appointed or recognized as a Vice-Principal of a primary school must reach a high level in the standards of professional ethics for primary school teachers and have the capacity to undertake the tasks assigned by the principal.

2. Conditions to Become a Principal or Vice-Principal for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Schools in Vietnam

Regarding the standards for principals and vice-principals of secondary schools, Clause 3, Article 11 of Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT stipulates as follows:

- Conditions on training level and work experience:

- Must reach the trained standard level for educators as prescribed by the Education Law for the respective education level;

- Must reach the trained standard level for the highest education level for schools with multiple education levels;

- Must have taught for at least 5 years (or 4 years for mountainous areas, islands, highlands, remote areas, ethnic minority areas, areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions) at that education level.

- Conditions on standards:

Must meet the standards specified in the Standards for Principals of Secondary Schools, High Schools, and Schools with Multiple Education Levels as stipulated in Circular 14/2018/TT-BGDDT.

Comparison with current regulations:

Point b, Clause 2, Article 18 of Circular 12/2011/TT-BGDDT stipulates that a principal must meet the standards specified in the Standards for Principals of Secondary Schools, High Schools, and Schools with Multiple Education Levels; and a vice-principal must reach a high level in the standards of professional ethics for teachers of the respective education level and have the capacity to undertake the tasks assigned by the principal.

Thus, from the effective date of Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT (on October 20, 2020) and Circular 32/2020/TT-BGDDT (on November 1, 2020), the conditions to become a principal or vice-principal for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools will be based on the regulations in these two Circulars, which replace Circular 41/2010/TT-BGDDT and Circular 12/2011/TT-BGDDT.

Thuy Tram

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