CIRCULAR

PROVIDING FOR THE SYSTEM OF CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR QUALITY INSPECTION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS

Pursuant to the November 29, 2006 Law on Vocational Training;
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 186/20077ND-CP of December 25, 2007, defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs;
Pursuant to the Government's Decree No. 70/ 2009/ND-CP of August 21, 2009, prescribing the vocational training state management responsibility,
The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs provides for the system of criteria and standards for quality inspection of vocational training centers as follows:

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope and subjects of application

1. This Circular provides for the system of criteria and standards for quality inspection of vocational training centers.

2. The system of criteria and standards will apply to quality inspection of public vocational training centers, private vocational training centers and foreign-invested vocational training centers (below collectively referred to as vocational training centers).

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In this Circular, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. Inspection criterion means contents and requirements which a vocational training center must satisfy in order to attain its respective vocational training objectives. Each inspection criterion contains various inspection standards.

2. Inspection standard means the extent of requirements and conditions to be necessarily met at a component of an inspection criterion. Each inspection standard contains various indexes.

3. Index means the extent of requirements and conditions on a specific aspect of an inspection standard.

4. Standard marks mean the total maximum marks prescribed for each inspection criterion.

5. Evaluation marks mean the marks obtained by every index, every standard and every criterion.

Article 3. Use purposes of the system of criteria and standards for quality inspection of vocational training centers

The system of criteria and standards for quality inspection of vocational training centers will be used for:

1. Self-inspection, evaluation and full satisfaction of quality conditions by vocational training centers, aiming to constantly raise the quality of their vocational training.

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Article 4. Inspection criteria, standard marks and evaluation marks

1. Inspection criteria and standard marks:

a/ Criterion 1: Objectives and tasks: 6 marks

b/ Criterion 2: Organization and administration: 8 marks

c/ Criterion 3: Teaching and learning activities: 16 marks

d/ Criterion 4: Teachers and administrators:18 marks

e/ Criterion 5: Curricula and syllabuses: 18 marks

f/ Criterion 6: Libraries: 2 marks

g/ Criterion 7: Physical foundations, equipment, teaching aid: 18 marks

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i/ Criterion 9: Services provided for vocational trainees: 6 marks

The total standard marks of all criteria are 100.

2. Evaluation mark for each satisfied criterion will be 1 mark; criteria failing to satisfy the requirements will get 0 (zero) mark.

Article 5. Various result degrees of quality inspection of vocational training centers

1. Degree 1: The total obtained evaluation marks are below 50 or reach 50 or over but the evaluation marks of any of the inspection criteria reach below 50% of the standard marks of that criterion.

2. Degree 2: The total obtained evaluation marks are between 50 and under 80 and the evaluation marks of each inspection criterion must reach 50% of the standard marks or over or reach 80 marks or more and the evaluation marks of each inspection criterion reach 50% of the standard marks or more but any of criteria 4, 5 and 7 defined at Points d, e and g. Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular reaches below 80% of the standard marks of that criterion.

3. Degree 3: The total obtained evaluation marks reach 80 or over and the evaluation marks of each inspection criterion must reach 50% of the standard marks or higher, of which criteria 4, 5 and 7 prescribed at Point d, e and g, Clause 1, Article 4 of this Circular must reach 80% of the standard marks or over.

Chapter II

CRITERIA AND STANDARDS FOR QUALITY INSPECTION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS

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1. Standard 1.1: The objectives and tasks of vocational training centers are clearly and specifically defined, approved by competent authorities and publicized.

a/ Index 1: The objectives and tasks of the vocational training centers are specified in decisions on their establishment;

b/ Index 2: The objectives and tasks of the vocational training centers arc specified in their statutes and approved by competent authorities according to regulations;

c/ Index 3: The objectives and tasks of the vocational training centers are publicized to trainees and the public.

1. Standard 1.2: The objectives, tasks and development orientations of the vocational training centers are linked to socio-economic development planning and plans and adjusted to suit local human resource demands, and the vocational training centers conduct training suitable to local human resource demands.

a/Index 1: The vocational training centers' development planning, plans and orientations are associated to local socio-economic development planning and plans;

b/ Index 2; The objectives and tasks of vocational training centers and their training disciplines are adjusted to suit local human resource demands;

c/ Index 3: The vocational training centers' training disciplines are suitable to local human resource demands.

Article 7. Criterion 2: Organization and administration

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a/ Index 1: The vocational training centers possess documents defining their respective organization and administration towards autonomy and self-accountability;

b/ Index 2: The vocational training centers work out their respective regulations on democracy, creating a favorable environment for teachers, administrators, employees and trainees to comment on the vocational training centers' policies, plans and activities; promptly settling complaints and denunciations of cadres, teachers, employees, trainees and concerned persons;

c/ Index 3: The provisions on organization, administration and democracy regulations of the vocational training centers are examined and adjusted to suit legal provisions and practical conditions.

2. Standard 2.2: Having rational organizational structures, which are suitable to the State's regulations as well as the vocational training centers' development objectives and tasks and operate efficiently.

a/ Index 1: Having training and professional bureaus or sections as provided for, which are suitable to the vocational training centers' job structures and training scales;

b/ Index 2: The functions and tasks of training and professional bureaus or sections of the vocational training centers are clearly defined and rationally tasked;

c/ Index 3: The training and professional bureaus or sections of vocational training centers operate strictly according to their respective functions and tasks with coordination and efficiency in their assigned tasks.

3. Standards 2.3: The Communist Party of Vietnam organizations as well as social organizations, socio-political organizations and associations actively contribute to activities of the vocational training centers.

a/ Index 1: The Communist Party of Vietnam organizations, social organizations, socio­political organizations and other mass organizations in the vocational training centers operate according to their respective charters and provisions of law;

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Article 8. Criterion 3: Teaching and learning activities

1. Standard 3.1: Registering and additionally registering vocational training activities according to regulations; seriously carrying out the fair, objective and public recruitment according to regulations.

a/ Index 1: Having certificates of registration of vocational training activities, certificates of additional registration of vocational training activities, as provided for;

b/ Index 2: Annually, the vocational training centers provide guidance on recruitment of trainees according to regulations, which is widely publicized to trainees and the public;

c/ Index 3: Seriously carrying out the recruitment according to their respective registered training disciplines and scales, ensuring fairness and objectivity.

2. Standard 3.2: Diversifying the training modes to meet trainees' learning demands and establishing ties with enterprises as well as production, business and/or service establishments.

a/ Index 1: Diversifying the training modes to meet trainees' learning demands;

b/ Index 2: Establishing ties with enterprises as well as production, business and/or service establishments in the course of training;

c/ Index 3: Annually gathering comments of administrators, teachers and trainees on the quality and efficiency of the training modes.

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a/ Index 1: Having a training plan for each training course, detailed to each specific module and study subject for periods on theoretical training, practice and production probation;

b/ Index 2: Overseeing and evaluating the implementation of training plans to ensure their schedule, quality and efficiency;

c/ Index 3: Organizing the vocational training according to the objectives and contents of the approved training programs;

d/ Index 4: Annually reviewing and evaluating the vocational training activities, based on the assessment of their suitability to the objectives and contents of the vocational training programs, and making timely adjustments, when necessary.

4. Standard 3.4: Applying teaching methods towards activating trainees; seriously evaluating study results in a fair and objective manner, suitable to training modes and forms as well as peculiarities of modules and study subjects.

a/ Index 1: Applying teaching methods of activating trainees, encouraging the development of their self-learning capabilities, creativeness and spirit of cooperation:

b/ Index 2: Annually gathering comments of administrators, teachers, trainees and employers in order to review, assess and disseminate the experience in the application of teaching methods of activating trainees;

c/ Index 3: Seriously evaluating study results, ensuring the publicity, fairness, objectivity and conformity with training modes and forms as well as peculiarities of modules and study subjects under the regulations on exams, tests. graduation recognition and certificate grant.

5. Standard 3.5: Having adequate systems of trainees' study result- monitoring books, forms, which arc fully, promptly and accurately inscribed and safely archived for convenient monitoring, management and search; fully reporting thereon to immediate managing authorities and state management bodies.

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b/ Index 2: Trainees" study and training results arc fully, promptly and accurately inscribed in the prescribed books and forms, which are safely archived for convenient monitoring, management and search;

c/ Index 3: Fully reporting thereon to immediate managerial authorities and state management bodies.

Article 9. Criterion 4: Teachers and administrators

1. Standard 4.1: The contingent of teachers is quantitatively adequate and suitable to training discipline structure.

a/ Index 1: Having payroll teachers suitable to professional qualifications and skills required by training disciplines registered by vocational training centers.

b/ Index 2: Ensuring the trainee-teacher ratio according to general regulations.

c/ Index 3: 100% teachers have the number of extra-curricular teaching hours not in excess of the prescribed one.

2. Standard 4.2: The contingent of teachers reaching the prescribed standards satisfy the teaching demands of the vocational training centers.

a/ Index 1: 100% teachers reach the standard qualifications, required pedagogical level and professional skills.

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3. Standard 4.3: The contingent of teachers fulfill their tasks with quality.

a/Index 1:100% teachers have syllabuses and lectures for their classes;

b/ Index 2: 100% teachers give lectures strictly according to the contents of the approved curricula and training programs;

c/ Index 3: Annually, teachers are sent for practice at production establishments and propose supplements to training programs upon technical and technological changes in production reality;

d/ Index 4: Annually, teachers have innovations on teaching methods or improve or make teaching equipment and models;

e/ Index 5: 100% teachers strictly observe legal provisions, regulations and rules of vocational training centers.

4. Standard 4.4: Vocational training centers adopt plans and policies to encourage teachers to further their study so as to heighten their professional qualifications, pedagogical level and professional skills.

a/ Index 1: Vocational training centers adopt plans to foster and heighten the professional qualifications, pedagogical levels and professional skills of their teachers, organizing by themselves or sending teachers to fostering courses thereon:

b/ Index 2: Vocational training centers adopt policies to encourage their teachers to self-study and self-foster in order to raise their professional qualifications, pedagogical levels and professional skills.

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a/ Index 1: Directors and deputy directors of vocational training centers meet the set requirements on standards and conditions;

b/ Index 2: Directors and deputy directors of vocational training centers fully and strictly perform their tasks and powers according to regulations;

c/ Index 3: Directors and deputy directors of vocational training centers are confidence-voted for by at least 70% of administrators, teachers and employees of these centers.

6. Standard 4.6: Training bureaus, professional bureaus or sections of vocational training centers are adequately staffed with administrators and employees; administrators and employees meet the title standards and administration requirements and are fostered for higher qualifications.

a/ Index 1: Administrators and employees of training bureaus, professional bureaus or sections of vocational training centers meet the title standards as provided for;

b/ Index 2: Training bureaus, professional bureaus or sections are adequately staffed with administrators and employees for performance of assigned tasks;

c/ Index 3: Administrators and employees of training bureaus, professional bureaus or sections are trained and fostered for higher professional r"_iiinc2rions.

Article 10. Criterion 5: Curricula and syllabuses

1. Standard 5.1: Having adequate vocational training curricula for various training disciplines at vocational training centers; each vocational training curriculum has its clear objectives, specifying the knowledge, skills, structure of training contents, methods and forms, ways of evaluating study results.

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b/ Index 2: Each vocational training curriculum has clear objectives, specifying standard knowledge, skills and structure of training contents, methods and forms;

c/ Index 3: The vocational training curricula define ways of evaluating study results for each module, study subject or discipline.

2. Standard 5.2: Vocational training curricula are formulated and adjusted to conform to production, business and service techniques and technologies, with the participation of administrators and teachers of vocational training centers as well as specialists and technicians from enterprises, production, business and service establishments.

a/ Index 1: Vocational training curricula are formulated in conformity with production, business and service techniques and technologies;

b/ Index 2: Vocational training curricula are annually reviewed, evaluated and adjusted, when necessary;

c/ Index 3: Administrators and teachers of vocational training centers participate in the formulation, review, evaluation, supplementation and adjustment of vocational training curricula;

d/ Index 4: Specialists and technicians from enterprises and production, business or service establishments participate in the formulation review, evaluation, supplementation and adjustment of vocational training curricula.

3. Standard 5.3: Comments of employers and working graduates on formulation of vocational training curricula are annually collected.

a/ Index 1: Annually gathering comments of employers on vocational training curricula;

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4. Standard 5.4: Each module or study subject has adequate syllabuses, meeting the objectives of the module or study subject, and is reviewed, amended and supplemented when the vocational training curriculum is adjusted.

a/ Index 1: Having adequate syllabuses for various modules or study subjects of vocational training curricula;

b/ Index 2: Syllabuses meet the objectives of modules or study subjects;

c/ Index 3: Syllabuses are reviewed, amended or supplemented when vocational training curricula are adjusted.

5. Standard 5.5: Syllabuses are formulated, amended and supplemented to meet the requirements on training contents, methods and forms of vocational training curricula.

a/ Index I: Having process to organize the compilation or selection, appraisal and approval of syllabuses;

b/Index 2: The counter-statement documents and written records on acceptance of syllabuses of the appraisal councils contain comments on extent of satisfaction of requirements on training contents, methods and forms of the vocational training curricula;

c/ Index 3: Annually gathering comments of administrators, teachers, specialists from production, business or service establishments on the extent of concretization of syllabuses for the requirements on knowledge, skills and behaviors in the vocational training curricula:

d/ Index 4: Annually gathering comments of administrators, teachers and trainees on the extent of satisfaction of requirements on syllabuses with regard to training methods and forms of the vocational training curricula.

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a/ Index 1: Written records on acceptance of syllabuses of the appraisal councils contain comments on the extent of convenience for application of teaching methods of activating trainees;

b/ Index 2: Annually gathering comments of administrators, teachers and trainees on the extent of convenience for application of teaching methods of activating trainees.

Article 11. Criterion 6: Libraries

Standard 6.1: Libraries have adequate curricula, syllabuses, books, newspapers and magazines, which are suitable to training disciplines.

1. Index 1: Libraries have adequate curricula and syllabuses of training disciplines at vocational training centers;

2. Index 2: There are specialized books, newspapers or magazines for all training disciplines at vocational training centers.

Article 12. Criterion 7: Physical foundations, equipments, teaching aids

1. Standard 7.1: Vocational training centers' locations are convenient for their respective teaching, learning and other activities.

a/ Index 1: Vocational training centers are located on good ground free from water logging and flooding; are supplied with electricity and water and easily accessible by vehicles;

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c/ Index 3: The general ground is rationally arranged and designed, meeting vocational training requirements of vocational training centers.

2. Standard 7.2: Classrooms. practice workshops and technical infrastructure meet the requirements on teaching activities, professional practices and training scales of vocational training centers.

a/ Index 1: Classrooms. practice workshops and technical infrastructure of vocational training centers are up to construction standards and regulations;

b/ Index 2: Classrooms, practice workshops and technical infrastructure meet the requirements on teaching activities, professional practices and training scales of vocational training centers.

c/ Index 3: There are in vocational training centers power supply systems, water supply and drainage systems, particularly meeting requirements on practice activities, daily-life and sanitary activities in practice workshop areas; hazardous wastewater, garbage and discarded materials- gathering systems; and adequate fire-fighting equipment;

d/ Index 4: Preservation areas and store houses are furnished with facilities to protect and preserve equipment, commodities and materials, such as roofs, surrounding walls, fences, locks. lighting and air-ventilation equipment and shelves; with equipment, commodity and materials supply and receipt control systems;

e/ Index 5: Classrooms, practice workshops and technical infrastructure are used strictly according to their utility and regulations on management, use and maintenance to ensure activities of vocational training centers.

3. Standard 7.3: For practice workshops: Having adequate internal rules and regulations on labor hygiene and safety, on fire and explosion prevention and fighting; equipment are tidily and rationally arranged to meet professional practice requirements; and organizing the measurement of hazardous elements at practice workshops.

a/ Index 1: Having adequate internal rules and regulations on labor hygiene and safety, fire and explosion prevention and fighting, the systems of signboards and instruction boards in practice workshops as provided for;

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c/ Index 3: Annually organizing the measurement of hazardous elements at practice workshops; applying measures to control hazardous elements below permitted limits.

4. Standard 7.4: Ensuring right types and quantity of equipment for practice.

a/ Index 1: Having adequate types of practice equipment for every training discipline;

b/ Index 2: Having adequate quantity of equipment as required by the training scale of each training discipline.

5. Standard 7.5: Ensuring the quality of practice equipment.

a/ Index 1: Practice equipment reaches the technological level equivalent to that of production or service establishments in localities where vocational training centers are operating;

b/ Index 2: Practice equipment is comprehensive and synchronous, accompanied with files on origin, year of manufacture, year of use. technical parameters, manuals with specific and clear instructions;

c/ Index 3: Practice equipment must meet requirements on labor hygiene and safety, on fire and explosion prevention and fighting, when they are used by trainees and teachers;

d/ Index 4: Self-made practice equipment requires decisions of directors of vocational training centers, permitting the use thereof in service of training;

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Article 13. Criterion 8: Financial management

1. Standard 8.1: Having financial sources for realization of vocational training objectives and tasks of vocational training centers.

a/ Index 1: Having revenues from tuitions, fees and training, production, business and service cooperation, and other lawful revenue sources for realization of vocational training objectives and tasks of vocational training centers;

b/ Index 2: Revenue sources are managed and used for proper purposes and according to law;

c/ Index 3: Having plans for mobilization and development of financial sources for realization of vocational training objectives and tasks of vocational training centers.

2. Standard 8.2: Financial plans and financial management must be public and transparent as provided for by the State.

a/ Index 1: Annual financial plans are formulated according to regulations and made public and transparent. There must be regulations on internal expenditures of vocational training centers;

b/ Index 2: State budget revenues and expenditures are collected, made, settled and accounted, financial statements are made, accounting files, books and documents are archived and state budget financial obligations are fulfilled under law;

c/ Index 3: Strictly abiding by the regime of self- financial inspection and financial publicity under the State's regulations.

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a/ Index 1: Annually evaluating the efficiency of the use of financial sources of vocational

training centers;

b/ Index 2: Vocational training centers strictly observe the regimes of financial inspection, examination and audit by competent bodies; and commit no financial violation within three latest years

Article 14: Criterion 9: Services for trainees

1. Standard 9.1: Ensuring that all trainees are fully informed of training disciplines, curricula, plans, regulations of vocational training centers as well as accommodation, study and healthcare conditions upon their recruitment and enrolment.

a/ Index 1: Trainees are fully supplied with information on training disciplines, curricula and plans as well as recruitment and enrolment requirements and conditions:

b/ Index 2: Trainees are fully briefed on regulations of vocational training centers, regulations on recruitment, examinations, tests, evaluation, recognition of graduation, and accommodation and study conditions and internal rules and regulations of vocational training centers;

c/ Index 3: Vocational training centers provide healthcare services, including first-aid cabinets, first-aid and emergency treatment as well as community healthcare provided for trainees by

part-time personnel.

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a/Index 1: Regularly supplying trainees with information on occupations, labor market and employment;

b/ Index 2: Vocational training centers shall organize job recommendation to trainees and assist them in finding jobs after their graduation;

c/ Index 3: Organizing conferences or creating conditions for employers to contact trainees.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Article 15. Responsibilities of management bodies

1. The General Department of Vocational Training shall compile documents, guiding the evaluation and evaluation-support tools for each standard or criterion.

2. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, provincial-level People's Committees, central committees of socio-political organizations and mass organizations shall direct their attached vocational training centers to self-inspect the quality of their vocational training and assist vocational training centers in finalizing contents, requirements and conditions under inspection criteria and standards, aiming to raise the quality of vocational training.

Article 16. Responsibilities of vocational training centers

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2. To work out plans and organize the implementation thereof in order to finalize contents, requirements and conditions under inspection criteria and standards, aiming to raise their vocational training quality.

Article 17. Effect

1. This Circular takes effect 45 days from the date of its signing.

2. Any problems arising in the course of implementation should be reported to the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs for timely consideration and settlement.-

FOR THE MINISTER OF
LABOR, WAR INVALIDS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
DEPUTY MINISTER




Dam Huu Dac