Do not use disciplinary measures that are violent or insult the dignity of students.

The Ministry of Education and Training has just issued Circular 19/2025/TT-BGDDT regulating rewards and discipline for students, effective from October 31, 2025.

For primary school students, only two forms of discipline are applied: warning and request for apology.

The Circular clearly states three general principles on rewarding and disciplining students, which are: rewarding and disciplining students must ensure humanistic education , for the progress of students; promoting decentralization, delegation of authority, enhancing autonomy and self-responsibility of schools, principals and teachers; ensuring coordination between family - school - society, properly performing the functions and tasks of the school.

5 forms of rewards

The Circular stipulates 5 forms of commendation including: 1- Commendation in front of the class; 2- Commendation in front of the whole school; 3- Certificate of merit from the principal; 4- Letter of commendation; 5- Other forms of commendation and rewards.

In particular, public praise is given to students with good behavior, who have a positive influence on other students in the class, or who have made remarkable progress in their studies and training. Teachers decide and carry out public praise for students at the appropriate time.

Commendations in front of the whole school are given to students with excellent achievements, good behavior, positive influence on other students in the school or students with outstanding achievements in studying and training. The homeroom teacher asks the principal to commend the student in front of the whole school.

Principal's certificate of merit: The principal awards certificates of merit to students according to detailed regulations implementing a number of articles of the Law on Emulation and Commendation for the education sector.

Letters of commendation are given to students who have improved academic results, training, surpassed themselves or have outstanding achievements.

In addition to the above forms of commendation and reward, agencies, organizations and individuals may implement other forms of commendation and reward in accordance with the principles of commendation prescribed in this Circular and other relevant legal documents to promptly encourage and set an example for students in studying and training.

The highest form of discipline for students is to write a self-criticism.

Circular 19/2025/TT-BGDDT stipulates principles in student discipline that must be respectful, tolerant, objective, without prejudice, ensuring the right to participate and the interests of students in related issues; ensuring suitability to the psychological characteristics, gender, physical condition, family circumstances, and regional cultural characteristics of each student; not using disciplinary measures that are violent, insulting to the dignity and honor, and affecting the physical and mental health of students.

In addition, the circular clearly states disciplinary measures for students, in which the highest form of discipline is requiring a written self-criticism , warning , and criticism . For primary school students, only two forms of discipline are applied: warning and request for apology .

Thus, the forms of discipline (reprimand in front of the class, reprimand before the school disciplinary council, warning in front of the whole school, expulsion for one week and the highest is expulsion for one year) stipulated in Circular 08/TT dated March 21, 1988 were officially abolished.

Activities to support the correction of violations

In addition to disciplinary measures, the circular also stipulates activities to support students in correcting violations such as: advising and encouraging students to self-aware of violations and how to correct them; monitoring, advising, and supporting students who violate in the process of correcting violations.

Require students to participate in a number of activities related to school counseling, social work in schools, skills education and other appropriate activities decided by the school to change awareness, adjust behavior, and overcome consequences of violations; coordinate with students' families and other forces to advise, manage, and support students to change awareness, adjust behavior, and overcome consequences of violations.

The Circular takes effect from October 31, 2025.

Government Newspaper

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202509/khong-su-dung-bien-phap-ky-luat-mang-tinh-bao-luc-xuc-pham-nhan-pham-cua-hoc-sinh-f441e48/