Announcement of draft regulations on code of conduct for teachers

The Draft Circular replaces Decision No. 16/2008/QD-BGD&DT dated April 16, 2008 of the Minister of Education and Training promulgating the Regulations on Teachers' Ethics (Decision No. 16). The Draft Circular inherits the contents of Decision No. 16 which are still appropriate; at the same time, it overcomes some shortcomings that are no longer appropriate and ensures consistency with current relevant legal documents; in accordance with the Party's guidelines, lines and policies, and the State's laws.

Implement the motto "teacher is teacher, student is student"

On April 16, 2008, the Ministry of Education and Training issued regulations on teachers' ethics (Decision No. 16). After 17 years of implementation, Decision 16 has revealed many shortcomings, many regulations are no longer suitable, and have not met the requirements for developing the teaching staff in the period of fundamental and comprehensive reform of education and training.

In addition, there are still cases of teachers having inappropriate behaviors and words, violating teachers' ethics, significantly affecting the spirit and physical health of students as well as reducing the prestige and image of teachers, causing outrage in public opinion. Therefore, there is a need for a new, appropriate regulation related to teachers' behavior in relationships in teaching and educational activities at educational institutions and in the community.

On June 16, 2025, the Law on Teachers (Law No. 73/2025/QH15) was promulgated, which stipulates teachers' ethics including rules of conduct for teachers in their relationships with students, colleagues, students' families and the community, and assigns the Minister of Education and Training to promulgate the code of conduct in Article 10.

Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW dated August 22, 2025 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training development once again affirms: Learners are the center and subject of the education and training process; schools are the foundation, teachers are the driving force, deciding the quality of education and training.

Accordingly, the promulgation of the code of conduct for teachers in educational institutions with many new points, specific regulations and requirements on exemplary conduct of teachers, ethical standards, standards of language, behavior, attitude, and conduct of teachers towards learners, colleagues, educational institution managers, parents or guardians of learners and the community.

The promulgation of the code of conduct for teachers in educational institutions contributes to improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools, implementing the motto "teachers are teachers, students are students" in terms of ethics, personality, and knowledge; resolutely correcting negativity in education, valuing the honor of teachers, and honoring teachers in society.

Specific regulations on the code of conduct for teachers in educational institutions

This Circular applies to teachers performing teaching and education tasks in educational institutions within the national education system.

For teachers in schools belonging to the people's armed forces, the codes of conduct must comply with the provisions of this Circular, the provisions of the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Public Security and other relevant legal provisions.

Contents of the code of conduct from Article 4 to Article 9 of the Draft Circular.

In particular, the general code of conduct stipulates core rules on strictly complying with the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; preserving the qualities, prestige, honor, dignity and ethics of teachers; being dedicated to work; teaching and educating according to educational goals and principles; not taking advantage of the title, title, image of teachers and professional activities to commit illegal acts or for personal gain; preventing school violence, building a safe, healthy, friendly, democratic, innovative and creative educational environment, etc.

The general code of conduct also stipulates that teachers must not be indifferent, avoid or conceal violations occurring in educational institutions; must not insult or impose; must not profit from or force parents or guardians or learners to contribute money or goods contrary to the provisions of law; must use appropriate, honest, respectful, friendly, cooperative and sharing language; must preserve and promote the cultural identity of the nation, etc.

The code of conduct for learners stipulates standard, easy-to-understand language, praise or criticism appropriate to the subject and situation; correctly assesses the actual capacity of learners; creates motivation, promotes qualities and capacities, discovers and nurtures learners' talents; respects and treats learners fairly; does not discriminate between learners in any form; does not cheat or intentionally distort results in enrollment activities, learner assessment, etc.

The Code of Conduct for Colleagues stipulates that teachers must use appropriate, honest, and friendly language; respect colleagues, give constructive feedback to colleagues; be willing to share, cooperate, and support colleagues; not insult, divide, or cause internal disunity, etc.

The draft Circular also stipulates rules of conduct for educational institution managers such as respectful language; compliance with the assignment, direction and management of educational institution managers; actively advising and clearly expressing opinions to educational institution managers; strictly implementing regulations on decentralization and administrative hierarchy, etc.

Regarding the code of conduct with the community, the Draft Circular stipulates that teachers need to comply with and abide by the rules and regulations in public places; promote the spirit of volunteerism and self-consciousness in participating in social activities; use personal prestige to spread humanistic values, good deeds, beautiful images, cultural behavior in society, in schools to the community, etc. At the same time, do not organize or participate in activities that are contrary to the provisions of the law, violate national security, social order and safety; do not practice or support superstitious activities, causing division in the great national unity bloc, etc.

The draft Circular stipulates that the head of an educational institution shall, based on the provisions of this Circular, promulgate detailed codes of conduct for teachers in accordance with the requirements and practical conditions of the school; publicize the codes of conduct for teachers on the electronic information page or post them on the bulletin board of the educational institution; disseminate the codes of conduct to managers, teachers, students and parents or guardians; regularly propagate and thoroughly implement the content of the codes of conduct for teachers in educational institutions.

Along with that, the draft Circular also stipulates the responsibility of the People's Committees of provinces/cities under the Central Government and the Departments of Education and Training to promptly commend and reward organizations and individuals with good performance and strictly handle and appropriately discipline individuals and organizations that violate the law.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/cong-bo-du-thao-quy-dinh-quy-dinh-quy-tac-ung-xu-cua-nha-giao-post748951.html