Contents of social work in schools in Vietnam

Contents of social work in schools in Vietnam (Image from the Internet)

1. Purpose of Social Work in Schools in Vietnam

According to Article 2 of Circular 33/2018/TT-BGDDT, the purposes of social work in schools in Vietnam are as follows:

- Enhance knowledge and skills so that learners can independently address temporary psychological difficulties, stresses, and crises, thereby unlocking their potential and academic abilities. Protect learners from the risk of abuse and violence, prevent social evils, reduce school dropout rates, and ensure legal compliance.

- Improve the awareness and skills of parents or guardians in understanding, sharing, and accompanying learners. Support administrators, teachers, and staff in educational institutions to improve their knowledge and skills in school social work.

- Connect community resources to participate in and coordinate with educational institutions to promote social work activities in schools.

2. Principles of Social Work Implementation in Schools in Vietnam

According to Article 3 of Circular 33/2018/TT-BGDDT, the principles of social work implementation in schools in Vietnam are as follows:

- Maintain the confidentiality of learners' personal information; information sharing must comply with legal regulations.

- Respect the unique characteristics, personalities, qualities, and personal circumstances of learners, placing them at the center of assistance activities.

- Listen to learners' opinions and create opportunities for them to participate maximally in discussing solutions to their issues.

- Ensure that all decisions are carefully considered for the best interests of the learners without infringing upon the rights and legitimate interests of others.

- Guarantee an equal, objective, and standard relationship between learners and those involved in social work activities in schools.

3. Contents of Social Work in Schools in Vietnam

According to Article 4 of Circular 33/2018/TT-BGDDT, the contents of social work in schools include:

- Identify risks inside and outside educational institutions that negatively affect learners; identify incidents related to learners in special circumstances, those who are abused, exhibit violent behavior, drop out of school, or violate the law.

- Organize activities to prevent and limit the risks of learners falling into special circumstances, being abused, facing violence, dropping out of school, or violating the law.

- Implement intervention procedures and assistance for learners in special circumstances, those who are abused, face violence, drop out of school, or violate the law.

- Coordinate with families, local authorities, and public social work service providers in the community to intervene and assist learners in need of urgent intervention or support or those with such needs.

- Organize activities to support development and community integration for learners after interventions or for those, including teachers and parents, needing development and community integration support.

4. Responsibilities of students in Educational Institutions Regarding Social Work in Vietnam

The responsibilities of learners in educational institutions regarding social work, according to Article 16 of Circular 33/2018/TT-BGDDT, are as follows:

- Proactively detect and report to teachers or staff assigned to lead the implementation of social work in schools or other teachers and staff in the educational institution cases of learners in special circumstances, those who are abused, exhibit violent behavior, drop out of school, violate the law, or other issues related to teachers and learners.

- Actively participate in prevention, intervention, and assistance activities for cases of learners in special circumstances, those who are abused, face violence, are bullied, drop out of school, or violate the law.

- Proactively update their knowledge and enhance their self-protection capabilities, along with knowledge and skills to avoid dangerous situations. They are responsible for reporting their issues and difficulties to parents or teachers and staff assigned to lead the implementation of social work in schools, as well as other administrators, teachers, and staff in the educational institution.

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