"Rewarding and punishing" students needs to be approached in a humane and innovative way.

In addition to strictly prohibiting the use of disciplinary measures that are violent and physically and mentally insulting to students, regarding rewards, the form of "letters of commendation" in the regulations on rewards and discipline for students of the Ministry of Education and Training shows a humane approach, suitable for the context of innovation and modern educational trends.

High school students. (Photo: DAI THANG)'

Increase autonomy and responsibility of managers and teachers

The Ministry of Education and Training issued Circular No. 19/2025/TT-BGDDT (referred to as Circular 19) dated September 15, 2025 detailing regulations on rewards and discipline for students in educational institutions.

Circular No. 19 inherits and promotes the regulations on rewards and discipline that have been effectively implemented in the recent past; ensuring the implementation of goals, nature, principles and development of education .

Circular 19 stipulates the specific responsibilities of schools, principals, teachers, students, students' families and the Department of Education and Training in implementing and monitoring regulations on rewards and discipline for students. The Circular applies to educational institutions with students studying general education programs, continuing education programs at middle and high schools.

Circular No. 19 supplements humanistic principles for the progress of students, enhances autonomy and self-responsibility of managers and teachers; ensures coordination between schools, families, and society; emphasizes the role of education and comprehensive development of students.

- Ministry of Education and Training

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, the issuance of Circular No. 19 aims to complete the system of documents guiding the implementation of the Law on Education, the Law on Emulation and Commendation, and to be consistent with the Law on Children and the current legal system; to unify and streamline the system of legal documents, and at the same time to strengthen decentralization and delegation of authority to meet the urgent needs of schools in emulation and commendation work for students.

(Illustration: THE DAI)

Circular No. 19 is consistent with the spirit and principles stipulated in the 2019 Law on Education and the 2016 Law on Children, and is significantly different from the old regulations in Circular 08/TT dated March 21, 1988 of the Ministry of Education guiding the commendation and discipline of students in general schools (Circular 08).

The Ministry of Education and Training said that Circular 19 applies to more types of educational institutions, including continuing education centers, vocational education centers - continuing education and secondary schools, colleges with students studying general education/continuing education programs in middle and high schools. Previously, Circular 08 focused mainly on general schools.

Circular 19 strengthens decentralization and delegation of authority to schools in the work of rewarding and disciplining students. This is a suitable direction to improve the initiative, flexibility and efficiency in educational management; ensuring the principle of autonomy coupled with accountability. This regulation aims to reduce pressure on higher-level management agencies and shorten the processing procedure.

“Circular No. 19 supplements humanistic principles for the progress of students, enhances autonomy and self-responsibility of managers and teachers; ensures coordination between schools, families, and society; emphasizes the role of education and comprehensive development of students” – the Ministry of Education and Training affirmed.

"Letter of Commendation" - a new form of reward

Not only discipline, the forms of rewards also need to be innovated. Circular No. 19 stipulates 5 forms of rewards. Compared to the old regulations, Circular 19 has removed specific titles and honorary boards in the list of official forms; simplified formal procedures, focused on implementing the principles of rewards and regulations in the Law on Emulation and Rewards.

(Photo: DAI THANG)

Circular No. 19 clearly stipulates that there may be other appropriate forms of commendation and reward implemented by agencies, organizations and individuals to provide timely encouragement. This demonstrates the expansion and flexibility in the work of commendation.

The form of "Letter of Commendation" is a new and clear form of commendation in Circular No. 19. Letter of Commendation is given to students who have improved academic and training results, surpassed themselves or have outstanding achievements. This form can be carried out by teachers, Principals or higher management levels depending on the nature and level of achievement.

Humanistic discipline for students' progress

Regarding the principles of discipline, Circular No. 19 adds principles such as respect, tolerance, non-prejudice, ensuring the rights and interests of students. In particular, Circular No. 19 strictly prohibits the use of disciplinary measures that are violent, insulting to the dignity, and affecting the physical and mental health of students. This demonstrates a strong shift towards a humane approach to disciplinary education that respects students.

Circular No. 19 supplements prohibited acts under the Law on Education and provides specific classification of violation levels: Level 1 (harm to oneself), Level 2 (negative impact within the group, class), Level 3 (negative impact within the school).

Disciplinary measures that are violent, insulting to the dignity of students, and affect their physical and mental health are strictly prohibited in schools. This represents a strong shift towards a humane approach to disciplinary education that respects students.

Regarding the system of disciplinary forms, Circular No. 19 divides disciplinary forms according to school levels. Accordingly, for primary school students, there are only 2 measures: Warning (applied to level 1) and Request for apology (applied when re-offending level 1 after warning or level 2 or higher).

For students outside of primary school, there are only 3 measures: Warning (applied to level 1), Criticism (applied when re-offending level 1 after warning or level 2), Requiring to write a self-criticism (applied when re-offending level 1/2 after previous measures, or level 3).

Severe forms of discipline such as: Reprimand before the Disciplinary Council; Warning in front of the whole school; Expulsion for one week; Expulsion for one year as per the old regulations applied for many years have been eliminated. The measures of "Request for apology" and "Request to write a self-criticism" are new forms clearly stated in Circular No. 19.

Ensure proper authority, functions and responsibilities of the school

Circular No. 19 does not stipulate that disciplinary measures against students be recorded in records and transcripts. It only stipulates that student self-criticisms be kept in school records. This shows humanity, progress, and the development of students in student discipline.

Circular No. 19 stipulates a number of key support activities such as advising, motivating, monitoring, counseling, requesting appropriate activities, and family coordination.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, this change represents an educational, supportive and humane approach to discipline, in line with the country's educational innovation context and modern educational trends. The new regulation ensures the proper implementation of the authority, functions and responsibilities of schools in educating students, without setting out regulations for serious violations, as this is the responsibility of competent state agencies to consider and resolve according to regulations.

YOUTH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thuong-phat-hoc-sinh-can-tiep-can-theo-huong-tiep-can-nhan-van-doi-moi-post909211.html