Do Teachers Without a University Degree in Vietnam Have to Pursue Certification Before July 1, 2020?

Do Teachers Without a University Degree in Vietnam Have to Pursue Certification Before July 1, 2020?​ (Illustrative Image)

As Lawnet has informed our Customers and Members, from July 1, 2020, primary and secondary school teachers in Vietnam must have at least a bachelor's degree in education. This is an important provision mentioned in the Education Law 2019, specifically stating that the standard level of education for teachers at various levels has been elevated compared to the Education Law 2005. To be specific:

- For preschool teachers: Must have at least an associate degree in pedagogy. (Currently, the regulations only require a vocational intermediate degree in education).

- For primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary teachers: Must have at least a bachelor's degree in teacher training. (Current regulations require an intermediate teacher training degree for primary teachers; an associate degree in pedagogy or an associate degree along with a teaching proficiency certificate for lower secondary teachers).

In cases where the subject does not have enough teachers with a bachelor's degree in teacher training, a bachelor's degree in a relevant major and a teaching proficiency certificate is required.

The question arises whether the current primary and secondary school teachers who are teaching at educational institutions but do not meet the new standard (do not possess a bachelor’s degree) have to pursue further education to obtain a University degree before July 1, 2020. And what will happen to those teachers who have not met the standard by that time – will they be terminated?

Regarding this matter, Lawnet would like to inform our Valued Customers and Members that: The upgrade to the standard level of education for preschool, primary, and lower secondary school teachers will follow a specific roadmap. This is highlighted in Decision 936/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam about issuing a list and assigning leading agencies to draft guiding documents for the Law approved by the National Assembly XIV at its 7th session.

Specifically, the Ministry of Education and Training will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Government of Vietnam, and relevant agencies and organizations to build and submit the Government of Vietnam a Decree prescribing the roadmap to upgrade the standard educational level for preschool, primary, and lower secondary school teachers as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 72 of the Education Law 2019 in April 2020.

Therefore, teachers who do not currently meet the standard educational level stipulated in the Education Law 2019 should not worry too much, as the Government of Vietnam will soon have detailed plans and solutions for this standard upgrade, preventing sudden disruptions.

According to the Education Law 2019, students studying pedagogy or those pursuing teaching proficiency courses admitted before the Law comes into effect will continue to follow the provisions in Clause 3, Article 89 of the Education Law No. 38/2005/QH11 amended, and supplemented by Law No. 44/2009/QH12, Law No. 74/2014/QH13, and Law No. 97/2015/QH13.

"The Ministry of Education and Training will direct localities to develop a roadmap and plans for training and retraining to elevate the educational level of primary and lower secondary school teachers to university level in pedagogy. The Ministry will direct stopping enrolment for teacher training at the intermediate and associate level for primary school teaching as soon as the Education Law 2019 is passed and takes effect. There will be no new recruitment for primary school teachers with an intermediate or associate degree in pedagogy, and supplementary training will be organized in a way that links with the aim that when students graduate, they will have a university degree in primary education." This was the response from Mr. Hoang Duc Minh, Director of the Department of Teachers and Educational Management Personnel, when asked about the plan to upgrade the educational level for teachers before the draft Education Law 2019.

He also mentioned that for teachers with an intermediate degree in education, associate degrees, or those who have not reached university level, within 1 to 5 years of service, the Ministry will direct localities to coordinate with educational institutions to design continuous professional development courses to enhance teaching capabilities in line with educational reforms. For teachers who have over 5 years of service and have not met the standard university level, the Ministry will direct teaching institutions to closely coordinate with localities to develop and implement training roadmaps linked to curriculum reforms. Training will be conducted in rolling phases across different grades with flexible, appropriate, effective methods, not just for formal certification.

The Ministry will issue a roadmap to enforce these regulations or set effective dates for regions with significant difficulties to allow these areas to implement measures for upgrading primary and lower secondary teacher training standards appropriately. Along with upgrading educational standards, the Ministry of Education and Training will develop regulations ensuring teacher welfare and propose suitable implementation methods for different regions.

According to Article 73 of the Education Law 2019, the Ministry of Education and Training also provides policies for teachers engaged in higher education as follows:

Article 73. Training and Fostering Teachers

1. The State has policies training and fostering to enhance the political, professional, and specialized knowledge for teachers; teachers sent for training and professional development will be entitled to salaries and allowances as prescribed by the Government of Vietnam.

2. Educational institutions are responsible for facilitating teachers' attainment of training and development as per the legal regulations.

Thus, teachers who are sent to pursue higher education and professional development in Vietnam are entitled to salaries and allowances, and educational institutions must facilitate the training and development to meet the standards.

Nguyen Trinh

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