Circular 13 does not stipulate standards and conditions for promotion exams for teachers like Circular 34 previously because the Government has abolished the promotion exam format.

The new Circular only specifies the standards and conditions for registration for promotion to grade II and grade I for preschool teachers, general education teachers, and university preparatory teachers.

Accordingly, for preschool teachers, to be considered for promotion from grade III to grade II, teachers need to have 2 consecutive years of work with a grade of completing tasks well or better.

To be considered for promotion from Grade II to Grade I, teachers need to have 5 consecutive years of work with a good performance rating or higher, including at least 2 years with an excellent performance rating.

For primary, secondary, high school and pre-university teachers, the condition for promotion to Grade II is 3 consecutive years of good performance or better. The condition for promotion to Grade I is the same as for preschool teachers.

Circular 13 also specifically regulates the determination of the time to hold an equivalent professional title, creating favorable conditions for localities in calculating the time to hold the next lower rank when teachers register to participate in promotion to a professional title.

This content has caused controversy and prevented many teachers from being considered for promotion under the old regulations because the concept of "equivalent" was not clarified.

Specifically, Article 13 clearly states that the time counted towards the time holding an equivalent professional title of teacher includes the time holding a teacher rank, the time working with compulsory social insurance and other time determined by the competent authority.

Probationary and probationary periods do not count.

Regarding professional standards when considering promotion, standards that are not evidenced by diplomas, certificates, decisions, certificates of merit, etc. can be replaced by minutes of assessment and comments from professional groups, subject groups and confirmed by the head of the school directly managing the teacher.

The Circular takes effect from December 15.

The provisions of Circular 13 are an important legal basis for localities to continue implementing the promotion of professional titles, ensuring the rights of teachers.

The Ministry of Education and Training said that according to the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs on determining the structure of professional titles of civil servants for public service units, the maximum proportion of professional titles of grade I is not more than 10%, the maximum proportion of professional titles of grade II and equivalent is not more than 50%.

"Therefore, the quality classification standards in the Circular are consistent with the requirements on the structure of professional titles according to the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensuring the selection of deserving teachers, whose contributions are recognized and who have made efforts to develop their careers during the time they hold the rank," the Ministry of Education and Training commented.