Rationale of the law
The Education Law regulates the national education system. Vietnamese education is based on Marxism-Leninism and the ideas of Hồ Chí Minh but also incorporates scientific and modern elements. Educational activities combine learning with practice and take place not just in schools but also in the family and throughout society.
Concept of lifelong learning
The term ‘lifelong learning’ is used only once in the context of defining continuing education. Continuing education enables people to learn throughout life in order to develop their personality, broaden their knowledge and improve their quality of life, employability and ability to adapt to changes in society.
Main regulations
The law refers to all sectors of the education system, from early childhood to vocational, higher and continuing education. In addition to learning in formal settings, it includes in-service training, distance learning and guided self-learning leading to nationally recognized qualifications. The law includes provisions regarding the following areas:
- The national education system consists of formal and continuing education, including:
- Early childhood education, i.e. crèches and kindergartens
- General education, i.e. primary schools, lower secondary schools, upper secondary schools, multi-level general schools and centres for general skills and career orientation
- Professional education, i.e. vocational secondary education and vocational training
- Undergraduate and postgraduate education
- Schools and other educational institutions: schools in the national education system are organized into public schools, people-founded schools and private schools. Additionally, there are institutions run by state agencies, political organizations and socio-political organizations that are responsible for educating and training civil servants. Institutions run by armed forces are responsible for educating and training officers, non-commissioned officers, professional staff and defence workers. They are also responsible for educating leaders and heads of state on national security.
- Duties and rights of teachers: teachers must have good moral, mental and ideological qualifications, have attained the standard professional qualifications, be healthy and have a good curriculum vitae. They have the right to receive further education and training.
- Duties and rights of learners: learners have the right to receive respect, equal treatment and adequate information concerning their own learning from schools or other educational institutions. They have the duty to perform learning and training tasks according to the educational programmes and plans of schools or other educational institutions.
- School, family and society: schools shall be responsible for actively liaising with families and society to implement educational objectives and principles. Parents or guardians shall be responsible for facilitating their children in learning, training and participating in school activities.
- State management of education: state management of education shall comprise formulating and directing the implementation of strategies, plans and policies on educational development. The government shall be responsible for the unified state management of education. Financial sources of investment in education comprise the state budget; tuition and admission fees; income from consulting, technology transfer, production, business and service activities of educational institutions; and investment from domestic and international organizations and individuals. The state shall expand and develop international cooperation in education based on the principle of respect for national independence, sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit.
Particular feature of the law
The law comprises a section on continuing education.
The contents of continuing education are reflected in the following programmes: illiteracy eradication and continuing post-literacy education; educational programmes targeted at updating knowledge and transferring technology; training and upgrading programmes and programmes leading to educational diplomas. The methods of continuing education must promote the initiatives and take advantage of the experience of learners, with an emphasis on the development of their self-taught abilities. Modern facilities and information technology should be used to improve the quality and efficiency of teaching and learning.
Institutions of continuing education include centres for continuing education organized at province and district levels and community learning centres organized at commune, ward and town levels. Programmes of continuing education are also conducted at general educational institutions, professional educational institutions, higher educational institutions and through the mass media.
Relevant documents that the law refers to:
- Viet Nam. 2001.1992 Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Stakeholders involved in the development of the law:
- National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Further readings and web links:
Issuing Body
National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
