Not limiting continuing education teachers to only concurrently perform a maximum of 02 tasks
According to the Ministry of Education and Training, continuing education has the characteristic of organizing diverse subjects of learners, ages, class sizes and training forms. Teachers not only perform teaching tasks but also participate in continuous enrollment, program consulting, coordination with businesses and training institutions, and at the same time undertake many other management and professional tasks.
Therefore, Circular 04/2026/TT-BGDĐT does not limit continuing education teachers to only concurrently perform a maximum of 02 tasks as for general education teachers. This regulation aims to accurately reflect the reality of work and create conditions for continuing education institutions to operate more flexibly.
However, to ensure teaching quality and benefits in terms of regimes and policies for teachers, the Circular also stipulates that the total number of periods reduced and converted for concurrent tasks in a school year does not exceed 50% of the teaching period norm/year of teachers. This is a point that teachers need to pay attention to to avoid the situation of concurrent work being too much, affecting the main professional tasks.
Increase proactiveness for grassroots levels, but ensure fairness
The new Circular grants greater autonomy to the head of a continuing education institution in assigning and converting tasks in accordance with the actual operation of the unit. This regulation aims to assign work more fairly and reasonably, while helping teachers focus on teaching and educating learners.
For teachers, it is necessary to clearly grasp the principles of assignment and conversion limits to proactively exchange, propose, and protect legitimate rights in the process of performing tasks.
Working and summer vacation time is arranged flexibly
Based on the characteristics of continuous activities of continuing education, the Circular does not rigidly stipulate the total number of working weeks in the school year. The summer vacation time for teachers is arranged from 4 to 8 weeks, decided by the educational institution.
During summer vacation, teachers may be assigned to participate in professional development, enrollment work or perform other necessary tasks as required by the unit. Teachers should note that this is still considered working time according to the facility's plan, not full leave time.
For directors, deputy directors and teachers assigned to the position of head, deputy head of department or equivalent, the Circular does not stipulate fixed summer vacation time; the arrangement of vacation time is decided and implemented flexibly by continuing education institutions.
Lesson norms are regulated more clearly
According to the Circular, the average teaching time limit for teachers teaching the continuing education program is 17 periods/week. The teaching time limit in a school year for the principal is 8% and for the deputy principal is 10% compared to the teaching time limit of continuing education teachers corresponding to the teaching program.
This specific regulation helps educational institutions more conveniently in developing assignment plans, and at the same time creates a basis for teachers to monitor and supervise implementation.
More clarity on reducing norms and converting professional activities
Circular 04/2026/TT-BGDĐT also details the reduction of teaching norms and conversion of professional activities, in order to ensure the rights of teachers and avoid different understandings and ways of doing things between institutions.
Homeroom teachers of continuing education programs are reduced by 04 periods/week; homeroom teachers of other classes are reduced from 01 to 04 periods/week, the specific reduction level is decided by the principal.
The Circular stipulates that 01 hour of teaching directly or online is calculated as 01 norm hour, or no more than 02 norm hours for some specific professional activities. For tasks that have not been specified in detail, the director of a continuing education institution is allowed to decide the conversion level after agreeing with the teaching staff and reporting to the management agency.
This regulation creates necessary flexibility, but also requires publicity, transparency and dialogue within the school, so that teachers can feel secure in their work and ensure fairness in task assignment.
