Restructuring and establishing commune-level community learning centers

Khanh Hoa Department of Education and Training has just sent a document to the People's Committees of communities regarding the restructuring, consolidation and establishment of commune-level community learning centers in alignment with the two-tier local government system.

Activity at a former community learning center.

According to Le Dinh Thuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training, pursuant to Decree No. 142 dated June 12, 2025 of the Government stipulating the decentralization of authority of the two-tier local government system in the field of State management of the Ministry of Education and Training, the Chairman of the People's Committee of newly formed communes has the authority to issue decisions concerning the establishment, approval for establishment, suspension of operations, merger, division, separation, and dissolution of local public and private community-based learning centers.

In addition, according to Circular No. 11 dated June 12, 2025 of the Ministry of Education and Training stipulating the decentralization of authority to perform State management tasks of the two-tier local government system for vocational education and continuing education, the Chairman of the People's Committee of a newly formed commune is authorized to consider and decide on the assignment of primary and high school teachers to work at community-based learning centers; appoint the center director and deputy director; and directly manage and oversee the operations of local community learning centers.

For commune-level units newly formed from the merger of communes, wards and towns that that previously had community learning centers, the People's Committee of the new commune shall preside over and assign specialized agencies to review and comprehensively assess the existing community learning centers in the old communes, wards and towns before merging. Based on this assessment, the Committee shall develop a plan for the arrangement, merger, or establishment of community learning centers that aligns with local needs and regulatory requirements. The plan must clearly state the name of the new Community Learning Center (if any), location, organizational structure, personnel, main activities; a plan for transferring assets and finances (if there is a merger); and measures for handling existing community learning centers that are no longer suitable or needed (if any).

After completing the plan and ensuring compliance with legal regulations, the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee shall issue decisions on: Arranging, merging or establishing a new Community Learning Center in the area; appointing the director and deputy director of the center; arranging teachers (if any). The Commune People's Committee shall be responsible for reporting the results to the Department of Education and Training.

For newly established commune-level units that previously did not have a community learning center, the Commune People's Committee shall, based on the learning needs of local people, prepare a proposal to establish a community learning center, clearly stating the necessity, expected facilities, personnel and initial operation plan; complete the project and establishment plan according to regulations (including details on objectives, tasks, organizational structure, facilities, finance, etc.). The next steps are as above. The arrangement, merger and establishment of a new Community Learning Center must be completed by July 31.

The arrangement, merger and establishment of commune-level community learning centers following the two-tier local government system is essential and important to ensure the continuous and stable operation of community learning centers, promoting the effectiveness of developing a learning society from the grassroots level. This effort requires coordinated leadership and direction from the provincial to the commune level, while also promoting the proactive role of the Commune People's Committee in direct management. It is essential to carefully assess local conditions and learning needs to develop an optimal arrangement plan that creates the most favorable conditions for lifelong learning and ensures the continuity of educational activities.

The Department of Education and Training is the focal agency responsible for directing the professional and technical aspects of community learning centers, including providing guidance, inspection and supervision of the centers' operations; organizing training programs to improve the capacity of the management personnel; issuing professional and technical guidelines to improve the effectiveness of center activities; evaluating and recognizing communes and wards that have achieved the title of "Learning Community" at commune level in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

H.N

Translated by N.T