Ministry of Education and Training issues new form of reward for students

This Circular applies to educational institutions with students studying general education programs, continuing education programs at junior high school and high school levels.

Responding to urgent needs of schools in emulation, rewards and student discipline

The Circular stipulates specific responsibilities of schools, principals, teachers, students, students' families and the Department of Education and Training in implementing and monitoring regulations on rewards and discipline for students.

The issuance of Circular No. 19 aims to complete the system of documents guiding the implementation of the Law on Education, the Law on Emulation and Commendation, and to be consistent with the Law on Children and the current legal system. Unify and streamline the system of legal documents, while strengthening decentralization and delegation of authority to meet the urgent needs of schools in emulation and commendation work for students.

"Letter of commendation" is a new form of reward.

Circular No. 19 stipulates 05 forms of commendation. Compared to the old regulations, Circular 19 has removed specific titles and honorary boards in the list of official forms; simplified formal procedures, focused on implementing the principles of commendation and regulations in the Law on Emulation and Commendation.

The form of "Letter of Commendation" is a new and clear form of commendation in Circular No. 19. Letter of Commendation is given to students who have improved academic and training results, surpassed themselves or have outstanding achievements. This form can be carried out by teachers, Principals or higher management levels depending on the nature and level of achievement.

Circular No. 19 clearly stipulates that there may be other appropriate forms of commendation and reward implemented by agencies, organizations and individuals to provide timely encouragement. This demonstrates the expansion and flexibility in the work of commendation.

It is strictly forbidden to use disciplinary measures that affect students' physical and mental health.

Regarding the principles of discipline, Circular No. 19 adds principles such as respect, tolerance, non-prejudice, ensuring the rights and interests of students. In particular, Circular No. 19 strictly prohibits the use of disciplinary measures that are violent, insulting to the dignity, and affecting the physical and mental health of students. This demonstrates a strong shift towards a humane approach to disciplinary education that respects students.

Circular No. 19 supplements prohibited acts under the Law on Education and provides specific classification of violation levels: Level 1 (harm to oneself), Level 2 (negative impact within the group, class), Level 3 (negative impact within the school).

Regarding the system of disciplinary forms, Circular No. 19 divides disciplinary forms according to school levels. Accordingly, for primary school students, there are only 2 measures: Warning (applied to level 1) and Request for apology (applied when re-offending level 1 after warning or level 2 or higher).

For students outside of primary school, there are only 3 measures: Warning (applied to level 1), Criticism (applied when re-offending level 1 after warning or level 2), Requiring to write a self-criticism (applied when re-offending level 1/2 after previous measures, or level 3).

Severe forms of discipline such as Reprimand before the Disciplinary Council, Warning in front of the whole school, Expulsion for one week, Expulsion for one year according to the old regulations have been eliminated in Circular No. 19. The measures of Requesting an apology and Requesting to write a self-criticism are new forms clearly stated in Circular No. 19.