Educational Institutions in Vietnam Are Not Permitted to Establish Average Sponsorship Levels

Sponsorship in Vietnam Must Follow the Principle of Voluntariness

Today, September 13, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) of Vietnam announced that it has issued Circular 16/2018/TT-BGDDT regulating sponsorship for educational institutions within the national education system.

As of September 18, 2018, preschool educational institutions, general education institutions, specialized schools, regular educational institutions, pedagogical intermediate schools, pedagogical colleges, and higher education institutions in Vietnam are subject to this Circular.

The Circular stipulates that sponsorship for education is a voluntary, non-refundable contribution in cash, in-kind, or intangible assets from non-state budget sources provided by agencies, organizations, or individuals both domestically and internationally to educational institutions.

Sponsorship must ensure principles of voluntariness, transparency, and publicity. It should not be coercive, without specifying average or minimum sponsorship levels. Also, sponsorship should not be used to coerce contributions and should not be considered a condition for providing educational and training services.

The solicitation, receipt, management, and use of sponsorships must be publicly disclosed and listed at the receiving educational institution, conforming to current legal regulations.

Additionally, the management and use of sponsorships must adhere to principles of thrift, efficiency, correct purpose, and prevent loss and wastage.

MOET mandates educational institutions to refuse to accept items not serving the institution’s purpose, and items harmful or dangerous to the environment or to the health of staff, teachers, employees, and learners.

Furthermore, sponsors are encouraged to directly implement the investment in construction, procurement of equipment, and complete installation before handing over to the educational institution as per the agreed terms and guidance of the educational institution. The MOET also encourages organizations and individuals to sponsor and support the development of education, enhance school facilities, support teaching and learning activities at educational institutions.

Sponsorships in Vietnam should not be solicited to pay for allowances

Circular 16 also clearly states that educational institutions are allowed to solicit and receive sponsorships for specified purposes. Specifically, these include equipment and tools for teaching and learning; equipment for scientific research; renovation, repair, and construction of educational service facilities. Additionally, it includes support for educational, training, and scientific research activities within educational institutions.

MOET strongly emphasizes that educational institutions should not solicit sponsorships to pay for teaching fees, direct costs for management staff, teachers, lecturers, employees, security activities, and protection. Schools are also prohibited from soliciting sponsorships to cover allowances for overseeing student traffic means, maintaining school cleanliness, rewarding management staff, teachers, and employees, or supporting administrative costs of the educational institution.

Educational institutions must base their sponsorship solicitation plans on the academic year's activity plan and budget estimates allocated by state agencies. Periodically or ad-hoc, these plans should be developed and reported to the Department of Education and Training (DOET) for approval for preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools. High school sponsorship plans and those of other institutions under DOET jurisdiction must be reported to DOET for approval before organizing solicitation activities.

For pedagogical intermediate schools, pedagogical colleges, and higher education institutions, sponsorship solicitation plans must be submitted to the School Council or Board of Directors for approval before implementation and reported to the immediate superior agency.

DOET and district-level Departments of Education and Training have the responsibility to appraise and approve solicitation plans within 15 days from the date of receiving the dossier from the educational institution. If the solicitation plan is found non-compliant with processes, regulations, and lacking transparency, the educational institution must stop implementation.

MOET also notes that educational institutions with sponsorship solicitation plans must clearly define the content, purpose, beneficiaries, budget estimates, and activity implementation plan requiring sponsorship. Additionally, the using institution must publicly disclose the annual financial report and the financial settlement of sponsorship receipts and expenses.

Source: Finance and Urban

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