Circular No. 19/2018/TT-BGDDT dated August 22, 2018 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating regulations on preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools

THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Circular No. 19/2018/TT-BGDDT dated August 22, 2018 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating regulations on preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools

Pursuant to the Law on Education dated June 14, 2005; the Law on amendments to the former Law dated November 25, 2009;

Pursuant to Decree No.69/2017/ND-CP dated May 25, 2017 of the Government on functions, duties, rights and organizational structure of the Ministry of Education and Training;

Pursuant to Decree No.75/2006/ND-CP dated August 02, 2006 of the Government on guidelines for enforcement of a number of articles of the Law on Education; Decree No.31/2011/ND-CP dated May 11, 2011 of the Government on amendments to Decree No.75/2006/ND-CP; Decree No.07/2013/ND-CP dated January 09, 2013 of the Government amending Point b Clause 13 Article 1 of Decree No.31/2011/ND-CP;

At the request of Directors of the Department of Education Quality Assurance and Department of Preschool Education,

Minister of Education and Training promulgates a Circular on regulations on preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools.

Article 1.ThisCircular is promulgated together with the Regulation on preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschool.

Article 2. ThisCircular takes effect on October 10, 2018.

This Circular will replace Circular No.25/2014/TT-BGDDT dated August 07, 2014 of the Minister of Education and Training on regulations on education quality assessment standards and process and period of preschool accreditation, Circular No.02/2014/TT-BGDDT dated February 08, 2014 of the Minister of Education and Training providing for regulations on recognition of national standard preschools.

Article 3.Chief Office, Directors of Department of Education Quality Assurance and Department of Preschool Education, Directors of relevant entities affiliated to theMinistry of Education and Training, Chairpersons of People s Committees of provinces and centrally-affiliated cities shall take responsibility to implement this Circular./.

For the Minister

Deputy Minister

Nguyen Thi Nghia

REGULATION

ON PRESCHOOL ACCREDITATION AND RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL STANDARD PRESCHOOL
(Issued together withCircular No.19/2018/TT-BGDDT dated August 22, 2018 of the Minister of Education and Training)

Chapter I

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation and subjects of application

1. This document provides for preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools, including preschool assessment standards and process; recognition and grant of certificates of accredited preschools and recognition and grant of certificates of national standard preschools.

2. This document applies to preschools and kindergartens (hereinafter referred to as "preschools") in the national education system; relevant organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Definition

For the purposes of this document, the terms below shall be construed as follows:

1.“Preschool quality”refers to fulfillment of preschool objectives and requirements for education goals specified in the Law on Education suitable for socio-economic development in local authorities and throughout the country.

2.“Self-assessment”refers to the process of self-assessment by preschools based upon assessment standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training, including self-assessment of quality of children nurture and education; material facilities and other relevant matters in order to adjust resources and implementation with the aim of meeting preschool assessment standards.

3.“External assessment”refers to the process of survey and assessment by preschool state management agencies for the purpose of determining the degree to which a preschool satisfy preschool assessment standards provided by theMinistry of Education and Training.

4. “Preschool assessment standards” refer to requirements for preschools for the purpose of preschool operation quality assurance. Each standard shall apply to a single operating field of a preschool and consists of multiple criteria. There are four levels of preschool assessment standards (from Level 1 to 4) with increasing requirements.

Where, the latter include all requirements of the former and advanced requirements.

5.“Preschool assessment criteria"refers to any requirement for a preschool provided in each specific assessment standard.Each criteria consists of indicators.

6.“Preschool assessment indicator”refers to any requirement for preschools included in each specific assessment criteria.

Article 3. Purposes of preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools

1. Preschool accreditation is aimed at determining the level to which the preschool achieves the education goal in each specific period; preparing plans for maintenance and enhancement of school’s operation quality; notifying preschool quality to the community and state management agencies for the purpose of preschool assessment, recognition or non-recognition of accredited preschools.

2. Recognition of national standard preschools is aimed at promoting investment in and mobilizing resources for education to enable preschools to keep enhancing their education quality and efficiency.

Article 4. Process of preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools

Preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools shall be carried out following the steps below:

1. Self-assessment

2. External assessment

3. Recognition of accredited preschools and recognition of national standard preschools.

Article 5. Preschool accreditation period and duration for recognition of national standard preschools

1. Preschool accreditation and recognition of national standard preschools shall be conducted once every 5 years.

2. The preschool recognized to be accredited as specified in Clause 2 Article 34 hereof may apply for registration of external assessment and ask for recognition of accredited preschool at a higher level at least 2 years after the recognition date.

3. The preschool recognized as Level 1 national standard preschool may apply for registration of external assessment and ask for recognition of Level 2 national standard preschool at least 2 years after the recognition date.

Article 6. Levels of preschool assessment

1. Every preschool is assessed according to the following levels:

a) Level 1: The school meets requirements specified in Section 1 Chapter II hereof;

b) Level 2: The school meets requirements specified in Section 2 Chapter II hereof;

c) Level 3: The school meets requirements specified in Section 3 Chapter II hereof;

d) Level 4: The school meets requirements specified in Section 4 Chapter II hereof;

2. A preschool shall be considered to satisfy preschool assessment criteria if meeting all requirements of the indicators included in such criteria.  An indicator shall be considered to be satisfied if all of its requirements are fulfilled.

Chapter II

PRESCHOOL ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

Section 1. LEVEL 1 PRESCHOOL ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

Article 7. Standard 1: School organization and management

1. Criteria 1.1: Policies and strategies on preschool construction and development

a) Conform to the preschool education goals specified in the Law on Education and orientation of local socio-economic development in each specific period depending on the school’s resources;

b) Be recorded in writing and approved by a competent authority;

c) Be posted at the school or on its website (if any) or published on local mass media and the website of the division of education and training.

2. Criteria 1.2: School’s board (Board of Directors for private schools) and other councils:

a) Are established as regulated;

b) Perform functions, duties and exercise rights as regulated;

c) Undergo periodical review and assessment.

3. Criteria 1.3: Internal organizations of Communist Party of Vietnam, other internal unions and organizations of the school

a) Other internal unions and organizations of the school are structured as regulated;

b) Operations of the aforesaid unions and organizations are carried out as regulated;

c) Such operations are annually reviewed and assessed.

4. Criteria 1.4: Principal, deputy principal, educational departments and administration departments

a) The principal and the quantity of deputy principals are conformable;

b) The educational departments and administration departments are structured as regulated;

c) The educational departments and administration departments prepare plans and perform their duties as regulated.

5. Criteria 1.5: Organization of classrooms

a) The classrooms are organized according to the children s age; in case the number of children in a classroom is less than 50% of the maximum number specified in the preschool charter, the children will be moved to other classrooms.

b) Two teaching sessions per day are provided for each classroom;

c) A classroom has no more than 2 children suffering the same disability.

6.Criteria 1.6: Administrative, financial and asset management

a) The school’s document system is archived as regulated;

b) It is required to make cost estimate, record revenues and expenditures, prepare final statements and statistical reports on the school’s finance and assets; publish and periodically check the finance and assets as specified in the internal spending regulations updated according to current regulations and the reality;

c) The school’s finance and assets are used and managed in an efficient manner to serve educational purposes.

7. Criteria 1.7: Management of teachers and education managers and staff members

a) There is a plan for provision of advanced training for teachers, education managers and staff members;

b) Teachers, education managers and staff members are logically assigned in order to ensure efficiency in the school’s operations;

c) Teachers, education managers and staff members have their rights protected as regulated.

8. Criteria 1.8: Management of educational activities

a) The education plan is prepared in conformity with current regulations and suitable to the local area and the school s conditions;

b) The education plan is fully implemented;

c) The education plan is promptly reviewed, assessed and adjusted.

9. Criteria 1.9: Compliance with local democracy regulations

a) Teachers, education managers and staff are allowed to discuss and express their opinions on preparation of plans, internal principles and regulations related to the school s operations;

b) Complaints, denunciations and proposals and reports (if any) under the school s power are handled as per law provisions;

c) The report on compliance with local democracy regulations is prepared every year.

10. Criteria 1.10: Assurance of order, security and safety in schools

a) There is a plan for ensuring order and security; food safety and hygiene; accident and injury preventing; fire safety; natural disaster, disease, social evil and school violence preventing; the school having their own kitchen must be granted a certificate of eligibility for food safety;

b) A suggestion box, hotline or other form of communication shall be provided in order to receive and deal with people s reports for ensuring safety of the school s teachers, education managers, staff members and students;

c) No discrimination, violence or violation against regulations on gender equality is found in the school.

Article 8. Standard 2: Education managers, teachers and staff members

1. Criteria 2.1: Principal and deputy principal

a) Meet the required standards;

b) Be assessed to satisfy at least principal standards;

c) Receive training and advanced training in professional skills in education management as regulated.

2. Criteria 2.2: Teachers

a) There are sufficient teachers with logical structure to run the preschool education program as regulated;

b) 100% of teachers reach the required training level;

c) At least 95% of teachers are rated good according to professional standards for teachers.

3. Criteria 2.3: Staff members

a) There are staff members or teachers to perform tasks given by the principal;

b) The tasks are suitable for the staff s capacity;

c) Staff members must fulfill all tasks assigned.

Article 9. Standard 3: Material facilities and teaching equipment

1. Criteria 3.1: School s area, premises and school yard

a) The average land area or floor area per student must comply with the regulations;

b) School gate, signboard, walls or protective fences are available; the school premises are constructed suitably for surrounding landscape and must be friendly environmental and safe for the children;

c) The playground and corridor of each class; general playground and green must conform to the school s conditions and must be safe and accessible to all children.

2. Criteria 3.2: Classrooms and learning classrooms

a) The number of classroom depends on the number of groups of children classified based upon the children s age;

b) The common room, bedrooms (the common room may be used as the bedroom in classrooms of older children); rooms for physical activities education or artistic education or multi-function room must satisfy basic demand for children nurture and education.

c) The lighting system, ventilation system (in area where electricity is supplied), cabinets and teaching equipment are available.

3. Criteria 3.3: Administration offices

a) There are all types of rooms required;

b) Mandatory equipment of every room is available;

c) The parking lot for education managers, teachers and staff members are constructed logically to ensure school order and security.

4. Criteria 3.4: Dining hall

a) The kitchen is solid or semi-solid construction;

b) The food warehouse is divided into separate areas for different food to meet requirements for food safety and hygiene;

c) There are refrigerators to store food samples,

5. Criteria 3.5: Equipment, appliances and toys

a) School’s equipment, appliances and toys must meet the basic demand for children nurture and education;

b) Equipment, appliances and toys that are internally made by the school or not on the required list must be educational and safe for children;

c) Stocktaking and repair of equipment are done every year.

6. Criteria 3.6: Sanitary area and water supply-drainage system

a) The restrooms for children and education managers, teachers and staff members shall not contaminate the environment and must be accessible to the disabled children.

b) The water drainage system must ensure environment hygiene and there is a clean water system to provide drinking water and domestic water for teachers, staff members and students;

c) Garbage collection and waste treatment ensure the environment hygiene.

Article 10. Standard 4: Relationship between the school, families and society

1. Criteria 4.1: Representative board of student s parents

a) The representative board of student’s parents is established and operated in accordance with regulations in the Charter of representative board of student’s parents;

b) The plan for operations of the board is prepared according to the school year;

c) The representative board s operation plan is implemented on schedule.

2. Criteria 4.2: Asking advice from the Communist Party executive committees, local government authorities and cooperating with school s organizations and individuals;

a) Ask for advice of the Parry executive committees and local government authorities in order to implement the school’s education plan;

b) Disseminate to raise the community’s awareness about policies of the Party and State on education, the school’s education goals and plans;

c) Mobilize and use legal resources of organizations and individuals in conformity with the regulations.

Article 11. Standard 5: Educational and nurturing activities and results thereof

1. Criteria 5.1: Running the preschool education program

a) The preschool education program is run according to the plan.

b) The school shall develop the preschool education program issued by the Ministry of Education and Training in conformity with regulations on professional skills of education state management agencies and the school s conditions;

c) Implementation of the preschool education program shall undergo periodic assessment to be promptly adjusted.

2. Criteria 5.2: Organization of educational and nurturing activities

a) Adopt methods in a flexible manner appropriate to preschool students and the school’s facilities in order to achieve the education goals;

b) Create an educational environment with the aim of enabling the students to play and experience;

c) Carry out educational activities in multiple forms suitable for the student’s age and the reality.

3. Criteria 5.3: Results of caring and nurturing activities

a) The school cooperates with local health facilities in providing healthcare services for the students;

b) 100% of students undergo health examination, height and weight assessment and nutritional status assessment by the growth chart as regulated;

c) At least 80% of underweight, overweight and obese students are treated with appropriate methods and their nutritional status is improved compared to that at the beginning of the school year.

4. Criteria 5.4: Education results

a) At least 90% of 5-year-old students and 85% of students under 5 attend the school; this ratio will be 85% for 5-year-old students and 80% for students under 5 in disadvantaged areas;

b) At least 85% of 5-year-old students complete the preschool education program and this ratio will be 80% for students in schools in disadvantaged areas;

c) Inclusive education is provided for disabled children and disadvantaged children receive school s care and education according to the personal education plan.

Section 2. LEVEL 2 PRESCHOOL ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

A preschool is considered to meet preschool assessment standards at level 2 if fulfilling all requirements specified in Section 1 this Chapter and requirements below:

Article 12. Standard 1: School organization and management

1. Criteria 1.1: Policies and strategies on school construction and development

The school works out methods for monitoring implementation of policies and strategies on school construction and development.

2. Criteria 1.2: School’s board (Board of Directors for private schools) and other boards

These boards must operate in an efficient manner in order to enhance the quality of children nurture and education.

3. Criteria 1.3 Internal organizations of Communist Party of Vietnam, other internal unions and organizations of the school

a) The internal organizations of Communist Party of Vietnam are organized and operated as regulated; During 5 consecutive year until the assessment date, there must be at least 1 year in which the organization perfectly fulfill its duties and perform other tasks in addition to the ones assigned in the other years;

b) Other internal unions and organizations make positive contributions to the school’s operations.

4. Criteria 1.4: Principal, deputy principal, educational departments and administration departments

a) The educational departments propose and carry out at least 1 specialized scheme that contributes to enhancement of education quality and efficiency every year.

b) Operations of the educational departments and administration departments undergo periodic assessment and adjustment.

5. Criteria 1.5: Organization of classrooms

The number of children in a classroom does not exceed the specified number and is arranged suitably to the children s age.

6. Criteria 1.6: Administrative, financial and asset management

a) Information technology is efficiently applied in administrative, financial and asset management of the school;

b) No violation against regulations on administrative, financial and asset management is found as claimed by the inspector and auditor during 5 consecutive years until the assessment date.

7. Criteria 1.7: Management of teachers, education managers and staff members

There are methods for developing the capacity for enhancing the school s education quality of education managers, teachers and staff members.

8. Criteria 1.8: Management of educational activities

Measures to provide guidelines for, check and assess nurturing and educational activities are claimed to be taken in an efficient manner by the school s supervisory authority.

9. Criteria 1.9: Compliance with local democracy regulations

Methods for and supervision of compliance with democracy regulations by the school are carried out in a public, transparent and efficient manner.

10. Criteria 1.10: Assurance of order, security and safety in schools

a) Education managers, teachers, staff members and students are provided with instructions for implementing plans for ensuring order and security; food safety and hygiene; fire safety, preventing accidents, injuries, natural disasters, diseases, social evils and school violence;

b) The school must check, collect, assess and process information or deal with acts related to school violence, order and security in a regular manner and work out measure to timely and efficiently prevent such acts.

Article 13. Standard 2: Education managers, teachers and staff members

1. Criteria 2.1: Principal and deputy principal

a) During 5 consecutive years to the assessment date, there are at least 2 years in which the school s principal meets principal standards at fairly good level or higher.

b) Principal and deputy principal are trained in political theory as regulated and gain trust of the school’s teachers and staff members.

2. Criteria 2.2: Teachers

a) At least 55% of teachers meet the standard for training level; this ratio will be 40% for teachers of schools in disadvantaged areas; and such ratio shall be maintained and increased properly as scheduled during 5 consecutive years to the assessment date;

b) During 5 consecutive years to the assessment date, 100% of teachers meet professional standards for teachers, at least 60% of which are rated fairly good and this ratio will be 50% for teachers in disadvantaged areas;

c) No teacher is given a warning or faces heavier penalties during 5 consecutive years until the assessment date.

3. Criteria 2.3: Staff members

a) The number and structure of staff members comply with regulations;

b) No staff is given a warning or faces more serious penalty during 5 consecutive years until the assessment date.

Article 14. Standard 3: Material facilities and teaching equipment

1. Criteria 3.1: School s area, premises and school yard

a) The land area for construction of school’s facilities and school s yard are conformable to regulations;

b) The school premises are separated from the outside world by walls; the students are provided with a general playground and green for shade which is regularly cared and well pruned and separate garden for them to care for and protect and are enabled to learn and discover new things;

c) The student playground area is fully equipped with outdoor toys as regulated and separated from ponds or lakes (if any) by fences.

2. Criteria 3.2: Classrooms and learning classrooms

a) The common room, bedrooms, room used for physical education and artistic education and multi-function room meet the required standards.

b) The system of cabinet and shelf used for carrying toys, appliances and documents is available and arranged logically and safe for children‘s use.

3. Criteria 3.3: Administration offices

a) The area for administration offices complies with the regulations;

b) The parking lot for education manager, teachers and staff members is covered for safety assurance.

4. Criteria 3.4: Dining hall

The kitchen is conformable with regulations provided in the preschool charters.

5. Criteria 3.5: Equipment, appliances and toys

a) The computer system is connected to the Internet serving management of teaching activities;

b) Teaching equipment is fully available as regulated;

c) Additional teaching equipment and internal school-made teaching equipment are provided every year.

6. Criteria 3.6: Sanitary area and water supply-drainage system

a) The restrooms for children and education managers, teachers and staff members are constructed appropriate to the surrounding scenery as regulated.

b) The system for clean water supply, water drainage and waste collection and treatment shall comply with regulations issued by the Ministry of Education and Training and Ministry of Health.

Article 15. Standard 4: Relationship between the school, families and society

1. Criteria 4.1: Representative board of student s parents

Cooperate with the school in performing duties specified in the school year and educational activities in an efficient manner; provide guidelines for and disseminate laws and policies on education for the student s parents.

2. Criteria 4.2: Asking advice from the Communist Party executive committees, local government authorities and cooperating with school s organizations and individuals

a) Ask for advice from the Communist Party executive committees and local government authorities in order to enable the school to implement the construction and development policy and strategy.

b) Cooperate with organizations, unions and individuals in organizing festivals and events according to the plan in consistent with the local tradition.

Article 16. Standard 5: Educational and nurturing activities and results thereof

1. Criteria 5.1: Running the preschool education program

a) The preschool education program is run in an efficient manner for quality assurance purpose;

b) The school shall develop the preschool education program issued by the Ministry of Education and Training in conformity with the local tradition meeting the student s capability and demand.

2. Criteria 5.2: Organization of educational and nurturing activities

Organize practice activities for the students to experience or explore surrounding environment for the purpose of satisfying their demand and interest according to the reality.

3. Criteria 5.3: Results of educational and nurturing activities

a) The school give advice to students parents or guardians about the student s health and development of their mental and physical;

b) The student s diet in school is balanced to meet the nutritious demand as regulated;

c) 100% of underweight, overweight and obese students are treated with appropriate methods and their nutritional status is improved compared to that at the beginning of the school year.

4. Criteria 5.4: Education results

a) At least 95% of 5-year-old students and 90% of students under 5 attend school; this ratio will be 90% for 5-year-old students and 85% for students under 5 in disadvantaged areas;

b) At least 95% of 5-year-old students complete the preschool education program and this ratio will be 90% for students in schools in disadvantaged areas;

c) At least 80% of disabled students provided with inclusive education (if any) make their progress in study.

Section 3. LEVEL 3 PRESCHOOL ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

A preschool is considered to meet preschool assessment standards at level 3 if fulfilling all requirements specified in Section 2 this Chapter and requirements below:

Article 17. Standard 1: School organization and management

1. Criteria 1.1: Policies and strategies on school construction and development

Carry out periodic review and amendments to the construction and development policy and strategy.  Formulate the school construction and development policy and strategy with the participation of members of the school s board (board of directors for private schools), education managers, teachers, staff members, student‘s parents and the community.

2. Criteria 1.3: Internal organizations of the Communist Party of Vietnam, other internal unions and organizations of the school

a) During 5 consecutive years until the assessment date, there must be at least 1 year in which the internal organizations of Communist Party of Vietnam perfectly fulfill their duties and perform other tasks in addition to the ones assigned in the other years;

b) Other internal unions and organizations make efficient contributions to the school’s operations and to the community.

3. Criteria 1.4: Principal, deputy principal, educational departments and administration departments

a) Operations of the educational departments and administration departments make efficient contributions to enhancement of quality of the school s operations;

b) The educational departments efficiently carry out specialized schemes contributing to enhancement of quality of children nurture and education.

4. Criteria 1.5: Organization of classrooms

The school has no more than 20 classrooms.

5. Criteria 1.6: Administrative, financial and asset management

Prepare short-term, mid-term and long-term plans for creating legal finance sources suitable for real conditions of the school and local authority.

Article 18. Standard 2: Education managers, teachers and staff members

1. Criteria 2.1: Principal and deputy principal

Meet principal standards at fairly good level during 5 consecutive years to the assessment date, including one year in which the school s principal and deputy principle are rated good according to the standards for principals.

2. Criteria 2.2: Teachers

a) At least 65% of teachers reach the training level higher than that required and this ratio will be 50% for teachers in disadvantaged areas;

b) During 5 consecutive years to the assessment date, at least 80% of teachers meet professional standards for teachers at fairly good level or higher, 30% of which are rated good; at least 70% of teachers in disadvantaged areas are rated fairly good according to professional standards for teachers and 20% of which are rated good.

3. Criteria 2.3: Staff members

a) Have the training level meeting the job’s requirements;

b) Participate in annual practice and refresh courses suitable for their job s position.

Article 19. Standard 3: Material facilities and teaching equipment

1. Criteria 3.1: School s area, premises and school yard

The school’s yard has a separate area for physical education activities and is equipped with outdoor toys according to the list of preschool equipment and outdoor toys issued by the Ministry of Education and Training and provided with additional equipment and toys not on the aforesaid list which are safe for children s use according to the reality.

2. Criteria 3.2: Classrooms and learning classrooms

There is a separate room for activities that help the students get access to foreign languages, informatics and music.

3. Criteria 3.3: Administration offices

There are sufficient rooms meeting national standards for preschool design.

4. Criteria 3.4: Dining hall

The kitchen meets national standards for preschool design.

5. Criteria 3.5: Equipment, appliances and toys

School-made equipment and toys or those not on the specified list must be used in an efficient manner in order to meet requirements for renovation to teaching programs and methods and enhancement of quality of children nurture and education.

Article 20. Standard 4: Relationship between the school, families and society

1. Criteria 4.1: Representative board of student s parents

Cooperate with the school and the society in performing duties specified in the Charter for representative boards of student s parents in an efficient manner.

2. Criteria 4.2: Asking for advice from the Communist Party executive committees, local government authorities and cooperating with school s organizations and individuals

Ask for advice of the Communist Party executive committees and local government authorities and efficiently cooperate with school’s organizations and individuals in developing the school into a local culture and education center.

Article 21. Standard 5: Educational and nurturing activities and results thereof

1. Criteria 5.1: Running the preschool education program

a) The school shall develop the preschool education program issued by the Ministry of Education and Training upon consideration of education programs of countries in the region and in the world in an efficient manner as regulated suitable for real conditions of the school and local authority;

b) The education program shall undergo annual review and assessment for adjustments to teaching methods with the aim of enhancing the quality of children nurture and education.

2. Criteria 5.2: Organization of educational and nurturing activities

Create an educational environment inside and outside the classrooms meeting the student s demand and capability which stimulates their interest and enables them to participate in recreational activities adhering to the principle “play to learn and learn by play”.

3. Criteria 5.3: Results of educational and nurturing activities

At least 95% of students are healthy and have usual height and weight.

4. Criteria 5.4: Education results

a) At least 97% of 5-year-old students complete the preschool education program and this ratio will be 95% for students in disadvantaged areas;

b) At least 85% of disabled students provided with inclusive education (if any) make their progress in study.

Section 4. LEVEL 4 PRESCHOOL ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

Article 22. Level 4 preschool assessment standards

A preschool is considered to meet preschool assessment standards at level 4 if fulfilling all requirements specified in Section 3 this Chapter and requirements below:

1. The school shall develop the preschool education program issued by the Ministry of Education and Training upon consideration of advanced education methods and models of countries in the region and in the world; the education program promotes children’s full development suitable for the student’s age and real conditions of the school and local tradition.

2. At least 90% of teachers meet professional standards for teachers at fairly good level and 40% of which are rated good; at least 80% of teachers of schools in disadvantaged areas are rated fairly good according to professional standards for teachers and 30% of which are rated good. Teacher’s quality meets requirements of the policy and strategy on school construction and development.

3. The area of school’s yard and student s playground meets the required standards or is larger than the one specified in national standards for preschool design; there are areas for leisure activities and indoor and outdoor activities which enable students to explore and learn new things for the purpose of full development.

4. 100% of school facilities are solid construction.  There is a psychological consulting office in school.  There are adequate modern equipment used for children nurture and education.  There are places used for children s exercise activities including 2 sports appropriate to preschool students.

5. The school successfully achieves all objectives specified in the school construction and development policy and strategy during 5 consecutive years to the assessment date.

6. There are 2 in 5 consecutive years until the assessment date in which the school records outstanding achievements in education and other activities compared to those of schools with the same socio-economic conditions which are recognized by competent authorities and the community.

Chapter III

PRESCHOOL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Section 1. SELF-ASSESSMENT

Article 23. Self-assessment process

Self-assessment shall be conducted following the steps below:

1. Establishing a self-assessment council

2. Preparing a self-assessment plan

3. Collecting, processing and analyzing evidence

4. Assessing the degree to which each criteria is satisfied

5. Preparing a self-assessment report

6. Publishing the self-assessment report

7. Carrying out activities after finishing the self-assessment report

Article 24. Self-assessment council

1. The principal shall decide to establish the self-assessment council.  The council shall consist of at least 7 members.

2. The council’s components include:

a) A council’s chairperson that is the school’s principal;

b) A vice chairperson that is the school s deputy principal;

c) A secretary who is the head of the educational department or administration department or qualified teacher of the school;

d) Members including the representative of the school’s board (board of directors for private schools); head of the educational department and administration department; representatives of the Communist Party executive committee and school’s unions and teachers’ representatives.

Article 25. Duties and rights of the self-assessment council

1. Council s duties

a) The council’s chairperson shall manage the council s activities, give tasks to each council s member; approve the self-assessment plan; establish a secretariat and working departments in order to carry out the self-assessment; provide guidelines for collection, processing and analysis of evidence; finish the self-assessment report and deal with problems arising during self-assessment process.

b) The council s vice chairperson shall perform tasks given by the council’s chairperson and manage the council’s operations as authorized by the chairperson;

c) The council s secretary and members shall perform tasks given by the council’s chairperson and take responsibility for such tasks.

2. Council s rights

a) Carry out self-assessment and provide advice for the principal about methods for maintaining and enhancing quality of the school’s operations;

b) Prepare the self-assessment plan; collect, process and analyze evidence; prepare the self-assessment report; amend and finish the self-assessment report as required by the school’s supervisory authority; publish such self-assessment report and store a database of self-assessment performed by the school;

c) Recommend the principal to hire consulting experts to assist the council in conducting the self-assessment.  Consulting experts shall have a deep insight into quality assessment and self-assessment techniques.

Section 2. EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT

Article 26. Applications for registration of external assessment

1. An application form for registration of external assessment which specifies the desire for preschool external assessment with the aim of recognition of accredited preschool or recognition of national standard preschool or both.

2. Self-assessment report: 2 copies

Article 27. Receiving and verifying applications for registration of external assessment

1. The Division of Education and Training shall:

a) Receive and verify applications for registration of external assessment submitted by preschools in the area under management and notify to such preschools whether their application is satisfactory or needed to be completed;

b) Send the satisfactory applications to the Department of Education and Training:

2. The Department of Education and Training shall:

a) Receive and verify applications for registration of external assessment sent by the division of education and training and notify such division whether those applications are approved or needed to be completed;

b) Receive and verify applications for registration of external assessment submitted by preschools in the area under management and notify to such preschools whether the applications are approved or needed to be completed;

c) Establish or request the Chairperson of People s Committees of provinces and centrally-affiliated cities (hereinafter referred to as "provincial") to establish an external assessment delegation as prescribed in Article 29 and 30 and take external assessment steps specified in Clause 1, 2, 4 and 5 Article 28 hereof within 3 months from the day on which the approved application is notified to the division of education and training or the preschool.

Article 28. External assessment process

External assessment shall be conducted following the steps below:

1. Analyzing the assessment dossier

2. Carry out preliminary survey into the preschool

3. Carry out official survey into the preschool

4. Drafting an external assessment report

5. Collecting the preschool s opinions on the external assessment report

6. Finishing the external assessment report

Article 29. Establishing external assessment delegation

1. In case the preschool applies for recognition of accredited preschool, the Director of Department of Education and Training shall decide to establish an external assessment delegation including members working in the education industry.  The external assessment delegation shall have from 5 to 7 members including:

a) Head of the delegation who is the lead of the Department of Education and Training or head or deputy of functional divisions in such Department; or head or deputy of the Division of Education and Training; or dean or deputy dean of the provincial educational institution providing training for preschool teachers; or preschool s principal.

b) A secretary who is the head or expert of functional divisions of the Department or Division of Education and Training; or representative of the provincial preschool teacher training institution; or principal/deputy principal, head of the educational department of the preschool.

c) Other members who are representatives of educational labor union; former or current heads or experts of functional divisions of the Department or Division of Education and Training; representatives of education labor union; dean, deputy dean, lecturers or teachers of the provincial preschool teacher training institution; preschool’s principal, deputy principal or teacher.

2. If the preschool applies for recognition of national standard preschool only or recognition of both accredited preschool and national standard preschool, Chairperson of the provincial People’s Committee or Director of Department of Education and Training shall be authorized to decide to establish an external assessment delegation (hereinafter referred to as “the delegation”).  The delegation shall have at least 7 members including:

a) A delegation s head who is the lead of the Department of Education and Training or head or deputy of functional divisions in such Department; or head or deputy of the Division of Education and Training;

b) A secretary who is the head or expert of functional divisions of the Department of Education and Training or Division of Education and Training; or principal/deputy principal, head of the educational department of the preschool;

c) Other members who are representatives of relevant departments; representatives of educational labor union; former or current heads or experts of functional divisions of the Department or Division of Education and Training; dean, deputy dean, lecturers or teachers of the provincial preschool teacher training institution; preschool’s principal, deputy principal or teachers.

Article 30. Standards applied to delegation s members

1. The former or current staffs working in the education industry who have never worked in the preschool undergoing an external assessment shall have at least 5 years working in the education industry and have completed the external assessment training course offered by the Ministry of Education and Training and provided with modern knowledge and relevant skills and techniques.

2. Members of relevant departments shall undertake tasks related to education and training.

Article 31. Delegation s duties

1. The delegation shall conduct a survey and assessment in order to determine the degree to which the preschool meet the standards regulated by the Ministry of Education and Training; give advice and recommendations on methods for maintaining and enhancing the school’s education quality; ask for recognition or non-recognition of accredited preschool and national standard preschool.

2. The head shall manage delegation s operations following the external assessment steps.

3. The secretary and other members shall perform tasks given by the head and take responsibility for such tasks.

4. The delegation shall keep information concerning the external assessment and results thereof as confidential before such results are notified to the preschool.

Article 32. Benefits of delegation s members

The delegation’s members shall enjoy benefits under current regulations.

Article 33. Notifying results of external assessment

1. If all of the delegation’s members are unanimous in the draft external assessment report, it shall be sent to the preschool for response.

2. The preschool shall send a document which specifies unanimous or dissenting opinions on such draft report to the delegation and provides explanation in case of dissent from the draft report within 10 working days from the day on which such draft report is received.

The delegation shall notify in writing to the preschool of its consent to the school’s opinions or reservations and provide explanations in case of reservations within 10 working days from the day on which the preschool’s responses are received.  The delegation shall finish the external assessment report and send it to the Department of Education and Training and the preschool within the next 10 working days from the day on which the delegation s notification is received.

3. The preschool shall be considered to consent to the draft external assessment report if failing to sent its response within 10 working days from the day on which such draft report is received.  The delegation shall finish the external assessment report and send it to the preschool and Department of Education and Training within the next 10 working days.

Chapter IV

RECOGNITION AND GRANT OF CERTIFICATES OF ACCREDITED SCHOOL

Article 34. Recognition of accredited school

1. Every preschool is recognized as accredited school if it:

a) Has provided educational services for at least 5 years;

b) Has its external assessment results rated as level 1 or higher as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof.

2. Levels of recognition:

a) Level 1: The school satisfies level 1 requirements mentioned in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof;

b) Level 2: The school satisfies level 2 requirements mentioned in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof;

c) Level 3: The school satisfies level 3 requirements mentioned in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof;

d) Level 4: The school satisfies level 4 requirements mentioned in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof;

Article 35. Grant of certificates of accredited school and disclosure of education accreditation results

1. The Director of the Department of Education and Training shall decide to issue the certificate of accredited school according to the level of recognition of the preschool (the certificate specimen is provided in Appendix I) within 20 working days from the day on which the external assessment report is received.

2. The certificate of accredited school shall expire after 5 years.  The preschool shall conduct self-assessment as specified in Article 23 and register for external assessment as prescribed in Article 26 hereof at least 5 months before the expiry date of the certificate of accredited school if asking for re-recognition.  Re-recognition shall be given under regulations in Article 34 hereof.

3. The preschool accreditation s result shall be posted on the website of the preschool and the Department of Education and Training.

Article 36. Revocation of certificates of accredited school

1. The preschool that no longer meets assessment standards for preschools shall have its certificate of accredited school revoked although such certificate remains unexpired.

2. The Director of the Department of Education and Training shall decide to revoke the certificate of accredited school within 20 working days from the day on which preschool is claimed not to satisfy the assessment standard any longer.

3. The decision on revocation of certificate of accredited school given to the preschool shall be posted on the website of the Department of Education and Training.

Chapter V

RECOGNITION AND GRANT OF CERTIFICATES OF NATIONAL STANDARD PRESCHOOL

Article 37. Recognition of national standard preschool

1. Conditions for recognition:

Every preschool shall be recognized as national standard preschool if it meets all requirements specified in Point a Clause1 Article 34 and has its external assessment result rated as level 2 or higher as prescribed in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof.

2. Levels of recognition:

a) Level 1: The school satisfies level 2 requirements mentioned in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof;

b) Level 2: The school satisfies requirements for level 3 or higher mentioned in Clause 1 Article 6 hereof;

Article 38. Grant of certificates of national standard preschool

1. The Director of the Department of Education and Training shall request the Chairperson of provincial People’s Committee to issue a decision on grant of certificate of national standard preschool (the certificate specimen is provided in Appendix II) within 20 working days from the day on which the external assessment report is received.

2. The certificate of national standard preschool shall expire after 5 years.  If demanding to be re-recognized, the preschool shall conduct self-assessment as specified in Article 23 and register for external assessment as prescribed in Article 26 hereof at least 5 months before the expiry date of the certificate of national standard preschool.  Re-recognition shall be given under regulations in Article 37 hereof.

3. The result of recognition of national standard preschool shall be posted on the website of the Department of Education and Training.

Article 39. Revocation of certificates of national standard preschool

1. The preschool that no longer meets standards specified in Chapter II hereof shall have its certificate of national standard preschool revoked although such certificate remains unexpired.

2. The Director of the Department of Education and Training shall request the Chairperson of provincial People’s Committee to issue a decision on revocation of the certificate of national standard preschool within 20 working days from the day on which the preschool is claimed not to satisfy the assessment standards any longer by the Department of Education and Training.

3. The decision on revocation of the certificate of national standard preschool shall be posted on the website of the Department of Education and Training.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 40. Transfer provisions and equivalent recognition

1. Preschools undergoing assessment for recognition of national standard preschools as specified in Circular No.02/2014/TT-BGDDT dated February 08, 2014 of the Minister of Education and Training on regulations on recognition of national standard preschools (Circular No.02/2014/TT-BGDDT) may continue to undergo inspection and assessment and may be granted certificates of national standard preschools under previous regulations until the end of December 31, 2018. Where, the self-assessment and request for verification of self-assessment results shall be made until the effective date of this Circular.

2. Preschools undergoing assessment for recognition of accredited preschools as specified in Circular No.25/2014/TT-BGDDT dated August 07, 2014 of the Minister of Education and Training on regulations on education quality assessment standards; process and period of preschool accreditation (Circular No.25/2014/TT-BGDDT) may continue to undergo education accreditation a under previous regulations until the end of December 31, 2018. Where, self-assessment and registration of external assessment shall be conducted until the effective date of this Circular.

3. Preschools recognized as national standard preschools at level 1 under regulations in Circular No.02/2014/TT-BGDDT shall share the same quality of that of level 1 national standard preschools prescribed herein and preschools recognized as national standard preschools at level 2 according to Circular No.02/2014/TT-BGDDT shall have the same quality of that of level 2 national standard preschools specified herein.

4. Preschools recognized as accredited schools at level 1, 2 and 3 according to Circular No.25/2014/TT-BGDDT shall have the same quality of that of Level 1, 2 or 3 accredited schools specified herein.

Article 41. Responsibilities of Department of Education and Training

1. Ask for advice of provincial People’s Committees about preparation of the education accreditation plan; prepare plans and planning on construction of national standard preschools; provide guidelines for, check and supervise preschool accreditation and construction of national standard preschools performed by affiliated Divisions of Education and Training (if any) as regulated.

2. Provide training in professional knowledge and skills for entities in charge of education accreditation and construction of national standard preschools.

3. Supervise and instruct affiliated preschools (if any) to implement the quality enhancement plan in order to maintain and improve education quality.

4. Carry out annual preliminary and general review of education accreditation and construction of national standard preschools; send reports to provincial People’s Committees and Ministry of Education and Training for further instructions.

Article 42. Responsibilities of Divisions of Education and Training

1. Ask for advice of commune-level People’s Committees about preparation of the education accreditation plan; prepare plans for investment in preschools under management to develop them into national standard preschools; provide guidelines for, check and supervise education accreditation and construction of national standard preschools performed by preschools in the areas under management as regulated.

2. Supervise and instruct preschools in the area under management to implement the quality enhancement plan in order to maintain and improve education quality.

3. Carry out annual preliminary and general review of education accreditation and construction of national standard preschools; send reports to commune-level People’s Committees and Department of Education and Training for further instructions.

Article 43. Preschools responsibilities

1. Ask for advice of the Party executive committees and local government authorities about preparation of the construction and development plan in each specific period and strive to become accredited and national standard preschools.

2. Carry out self-assessment and register for external assessment; request the competent authority to recognize accredited preschools and national standard preschools if such preschools satisfy preschool assessment standards specified herein.

3. Amend and finish the self-assessment report according to the external assessment report and implement the quality improvement plan specified in the self-assessment report upon recommendations of the external assessment delegation under the guidance of their supervisory authority.  Send annual reports on quality improvement to their supervisory authority for further instructions.

4. Prepare all documents relating to the preschool’s operations and other necessary facilities serving external assessment and give opinions on the draft external assessment report on schedule.

5. Maintain and develop the education accreditation results and results of construction of national standard preschools in order to keep enhancing education quality./

APPENDIX I

SPECIMEN OF CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITED SCHOOL
(Issued together withCircular No.19/2018/TT-BGDDT dated August 22, 2018 of the Minister of Education and Training)

APPENDIX II

SPECIMEN OF CERTIFICATE OF NATIONAL STANDARD PRESCHOOL
(Issued together withCircular No.19/2018/TT-BGDDT dated August 22, 2018 of the Minister of Education and Training)