Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training has drafted a new circular that would change staffing standards for public preschools, general schools and preparatory universities. The draft would replace Circulars No. 19/2023/TT-BGDĐT and No. 20/2023/TT-BGDĐT. The ministry is collecting comments from ministries, local authorities and other organizations.
Minimum number of teachers for each subject
The draft introduces a minimum number of teachers for each subject. The figure would be calculated by dividing the total number of subject lessons in the curriculum by one teacher's teaching-load standard.
The staffing count would also include heads and deputy heads of subject, office and special education groups, where applicable. These positions would not receive separate staffing allocations.
In a subject or special group without branches, a group of seven to nine staff members would have one deputy head, while a group of 10 or more would have no more than two. In a school with branches, the main campus and each branch could have one deputy head. The same standards would apply to an office group: one deputy for seven to nine staff members and no more than two for 10 or more.
Specialized schools would have up to three teachers per class
For preschools, the draft keeps the current standards: up to 2.5 teachers for each nursery group and up to 2.2 teachers for each kindergarten class.
For general schools, teacher-per-class standards would be adjusted in line with the new teaching-load standards.
At primary level, schools operating one session a day would have up to 1.2 teachers per class, unchanged from the current rule. Schools operating two sessions a day, except semi-boarding schools for ethnic minority students and schools or classes for people with disabilities, would have up to 1.5 teachers per class, also unchanged.
Semi-boarding schools for ethnic minority students and schools or classes for people with disabilities would have up to 1.65 teachers per class. The main campus and each branch would also receive one teacher responsible for youth activities, including one person serving as the chief coordinator.
At lower-secondary level, a school would have up to 1.8 teachers per class. The standard would be up to 2.1 teachers per class for ethnic-minority boarding and semi-boarding schools, and up to 2.2 for schools or classes for people with disabilities. The main campus and each branch would also be able to have one teacher responsible for youth activities, including one chief coordinator.
At upper-secondary level, a school would have up to 2.15 teachers per class. Ethnic-minority boarding schools and schools or classes for people with disabilities would have up to 2.2 teachers per class. Specialized upper-secondary classes could have up to three teachers per class.
Standards for education support staff
For schools without branches, the number of education support staff would remain at the current level. For schools with branches, the draft keeps the standards set by Resolution No. 37/2026/NQ-CP.
Each school would have one accountant, one clerical worker and one treasurer. For other positions, each branch and the main campus would have one staff member.
An educational institution with no more than four branches would have one accountant. An institution with five to nine branches, or one with no more than four branches that is a boarding or semi-boarding school with at least 40 classes, could have up to two accountants. An institution with 10 or more branches could have up to three.
New positions for catering and student management
The draft also adds several positions, including a catering worker in an educational institution. Under Circulars No. 19 and No. 20 of 2023, the corresponding work is listed as cooking under support and service staff.
General schools with boarding or semi-boarding arrangements would have a student management position. This work is currently assigned to academic affairs staff. The draft would also add a position supporting the organization of educational activities in preschools.
Each branch and the main campus would be allocated at least one staff member for each such position. The authorized agency would decide the exact number.
Sources: Thanh Niên
