Life skills education is an educational activity that helps learners form and develop positive, healthy habits, behaviors, and attitudes in handling personal life situations and participating in social life. This process aims to enhance their character and orient them toward better self-development based on core life values.
1. Legal Basis
- Circular No. 04/2014/TT-BGDĐT on the Management of Life Skills Education and Extracurricular Education Activities, issued by the Minister of Education and Training.
- Official Letter No. 1275/BGDĐT–GDCTHSSV of 2018 on reporting the implementation of life skills education in schools.
2. Conditions for Applying for a License to Operate Life Skills Education
2.1. Facilities
- There must be classrooms and functional rooms with sufficient lighting, ensuring compliance with school hygiene requirements.
- Teaching equipment must be safe and appropriate for the content, activities, and psychological age of the learners.
2.2. Teachers, Lecturers, and Coaches
- Must be in good health.
- Must have good moral character; must not be under disciplinary action from a reprimand or higher, and must not be subject to criminal prosecution.
- Must have a pedagogical professional certificate; must have a deep understanding of relevant life skills fields or educational activities.
2.3. Curriculum and Materials
- The curriculum and materials must be issued or approved by the Ministry of Education and Training. If the curriculum and materials are self-selected or self-developed, they must be approved by the licensing authority or the agency that confirms the registration of the operation. The content must meet requirements, be suitable for Vietnam’s traditional customs, and not violate legal regulations.
3. Dossier and Procedure for Applying for a License to Operate Life Skills Education
3.1. Required Dossier
The required dossier for the life skills education operating license is specified in Article 7 of Circular No. 04/2014/TT-BGDĐT, and includes:
- Application for a life skills education license. The application must clearly state the objectives, tasks, training and development programs and content; land, facilities, equipment, location, organizational structure, finance, and other resources. It must also include a commitment to ensuring security, order, environmental hygiene, and strictly complying with regulations of the local authorities where the life skills education activities will be held.
- Business registration certificate.
- List and brief resumes of the management board, teachers, coaches, and lecturers, along with valid supporting documents (specifying full name, academic level, position, profession, pedagogical ability, and understanding of relevant life skills or educational activities) involved in organizing and carrying out the activities.
- Activity plan, curriculum, and teaching/coaching materials.
3.2. Application Procedure
- The entity must prepare the dossier and submit it to the competent licensing authority.
- Within 15 working days from the receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the competent licensing authority will appraise the dossier and inspect the operational conditions to decide whether to grant or deny the license. If the license is denied, the authority must provide a written response stating the reason.
3.3. Licensing Authority
The authority for granting the life skills education operating license is the Director of the Department of Education and Training.
