Chương III: Thông tư 17/2021/TT-BGDĐT Xây dựng, thẩm định và ban hành chuẩn chương trình cho các lĩnh vực và ngành đào tạo

Chapter III

FORMULATION, APPRAISAL AND PROMULGATION OF DISCIPLINE-BASED PROGRAM STANDARDS

Article 12. Formulation of discipline-based program standards

1. Discipline-based program standards shall be formulated for each education level and each field of training or some academic discipline groups (hereinafter collectively referred to as “discipline set”) where necessary in compliance with the following requirements:

a) Meet requirements of the corresponding level-based program standards in Chapter II of this Circular;

b) Have general regulations applicable to all academic disciplines of the discipline set and specific regulations for each relevant academic discipline (if necessary);

c) Be based on general requirements for future jobs and work positions of learners of academic disciplines of the discipline set;

d) Have active participation and useful contribution from relevant parties, including representatives of training institutions, employers, professional associations and experts in specialized areas;

dd) Refer to and compare with training program models and standards of relevant international organizations or other countries;

e) Ensure autonomy in training program formulation of training institutions; provide requirements but not stipulate detailed structure of training programs or units of study, excluding the units of study mentioned in Clauses 3, 4 and 5 Article 8 of this Circular.

2. Procedure for formulation of discipline-based program standards is provided for in the Appendix enclosed therewith.

Article 13. Discipline set advisory councils

1. Discipline set advisory councils shall be established by Ministries as assigned in the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 436/QD-TTg dated March 30, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as "supervisory Ministries”) and support supervisory Ministries in formulating training program standards for corresponding discipline sets (hereinafter referred to as “set-based program standards”).

2. Discipline set advisory councils may use seals of units assigned to organize formulation of set-based program standards by supervisory Ministries (hereinafter referred to as “standard formulating authorities”).

3. Discipline set advisory councils shall operate according to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training.

4. Organizational structure of discipline set advisory councils

a) Every council shall consist of a chairperson, deputy chairpersons, members and secretary being experts in the field of training, academic discipline group or academic discipline of the program standards to be formulated; these persons shall have good reputation and professional experience and qualifications suitable for the functions, duties and specialized areas of the council;

b) The council shall have at least 09 members, including representative of the Ministry of Education and Training; representative of the supervisory Ministry; representative of the standard formulating authority; representatives of some higher education institutions; representatives of enterprises, professional organizations, associations and human resources management authorities; and experts in formulation, development and assurance of quality of training programs;

c) Quantity, structure, composition and standards of council members and council chairperson shall be decided by the supervisory Ministry;

d) Specialized boards of the council shall assist the council with its duties. Members of each specialized board shall include some council members and other experts whose reputation and professional qualifications and experience are suitable for the specialized area of the board.

5. Duties of discipline set advisory councils

a) Determine formulation of set-based program standards for each field of training or discipline set and list of relevant academic disciplines; necessity of providing specific requirements for each academic discipline;

b) Formulate and update set-based program standards in compliance with corresponding level-based program standards according to regulations in Article 12 of this Circular and propose them to the Minister of Education and Training for appraisal and promulgation;

c) Participate in inspection, supervision and assessment of compliance with training programs of training institutions as prescribed by law;

d) Perform other duties assigned by the standard formulating authority as prescribed by law.

6. Responsibilities of discipline set advisory councils

a) Take responsibility for content and quality of set-based program standards; practicality; compliance with level-based program standards; conformity to existing regulations and assurance of autonomy of training institutions;

b) Be held accountable before competent authorities, training institutions and other relevant parties for matters concerning set-based program standards;

c) Formulate regulation of operations, assign tasks to council members; propose member change and council strengthening to the supervisory Ministry (if necessary);

d) Cooperate with standard formulating authorities in reporting on standard formulation plans, progress and results to the Ministry of Education and Training and supervisory Ministries.

Article 14. Standard formulating authorities

1. Supervisory Ministries shall select and assign affiliated entities that are reputable, have large influence on relevant fields of training, are capable of and experienced in developing training programs and ensuring quality thereof to organize set-based program standard formulation.

2. Duties of standard formulating authorities:

a) Cooperate with discipline set advisory councils in preparing program standard formulating plans and ensuring funding and workforce for as well as progress of program standard formulation as per regulations of law and guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Training;

b) Assist operations of discipline set advisory councils and organize other activities in support of set-based program standard formulation;

c) Be held accountable before state agencies and the society for matters concerning organization of set-based program standard formulation.

Article 15. Appraisal and promulgation of training program standards 

1. The Minister of Education and Training has the power to decide establishment of a council for appraisal of the training program standards of each discipline set (hereinafter referred to as “standard appraising council”). Standards and structure of standard appraising councils are as follows:

a) Every standard appraising council shall consist of a chairperson, deputy chairpersons, members and secretary being experts in the field of training or academic discipline of the program standards to be appraised; these persons shall have good reputation and professional experience and qualifications suitable for the functions, duties and specialized areas of the council; special cases shall be decided by the Minister of Education and Training;

b) The council shall have at least 09 members, including representative of the Ministry of Education and Training; representative of the supervisory Ministry; representative of the standard formulating authority; representatives of some higher education institutions; representatives of enterprises, professional organizations, associations and human resources management authorities; and experts in formulation, development and assurance of quality of training programs;

c) Members of standard appraising councils may not join discipline set advisory councils.

2. Duties and powers of standard appraising councils:

a) Appraise set-based program standards to evaluate their quality and advise the Ministry of Education and Training on issuing decisions to promulgate these standards;

b) Appraise training program standards according to regulations of this Circular, existing regulations on admission and training organization for corresponding education levels; minimum requirements for program provision; other relevant regulations on training programs; and requirements and standards of academic disciplines;

c) Give one of the following conclusions in a clear manner: the program standards are approved by the council and do not require any revision; or the program standards are approved by the council but require some revision and specify such revision; or the program standards are not approved by the council and provide the reason for such disapproval;

d) Take responsibility before state agencies and the society for their work; and be held accountable by request.

3. Meetings of standard appraising councils

a) Standard appraising councils shall appraise training program standards as planned by the Ministry of Education and Training;

b) Meetings of standard appraising councils must be recorded in writing. The minutes shall include results of voting on conclusions of the councils and signatures of council members.

4. The Minister of Education and Training shall decide promulgation of standards for training programs of academic disciplines and discipline sets of each field of training and education level based on conclusions of standard appraising councils.

Article 16. Revision of training program standards

1. Training program standards must be revised at least once every 05 years. Where necessary, the Ministry of Education and Training may decide to revise training program standards of academic disciplines and discipline sets of each field of training in accordance with scientific and technological advancement and training development trends.

2. The Ministry of Education and Training shall cooperate with supervisory Ministries in deciding strengthening of existing discipline set advisory councils or establishment of new councils to revise set-based program standards according to regulations in Articles 12 and 13 of this Circular.

3. The Minister of Education and Training shall organize appraisal and promulgation of training program standards according to regulations in Article 15 of this Circular.