The Ministry of Education and Training announced on 4/7 that 15 provinces and cities would participate in a pilot program to reorganize public schools.

The five centrally-governed cities selected for the pilot are: Hanoi, TP HCM, Hai Phong, Dong Nai, and Hue. The eight other provinces on the list include: Cao Bang, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong.

The pilot phase is scheduled from 1/7 to 30/8 of this year. Following this, the Ministry and local authorities will evaluate the program and draw lessons for nationwide implementation. The overall reorganization process is slated for completion by 30/4/2027, with a target of reducing at least 30% of existing public schools.

Students at Dinh Tien Hoang Primary School, TP HCM, 9/2023. Illustration: Quynh Tran

Previously, in a guiding document sent to local areas, the Ministry noted that many schools are small and fragmented, which is not suitable for development trends and population dynamics. The Ministry believes there is still room for further reorganization to shift from a mindset of "education management" to "education development governance," ultimately elevating quality.

The Ministry emphasized that this reorganization involves streamlining administration, reducing management staff, and increasing teaching staff. Additionally, the pilot will explore models such as a main school with various branches or campuses, and the consolidation of multiple management units to create large-scale educational institutions.

The reorganization must align with local realities, ensure stability, and minimize negative impacts on teaching, learning, and the morale of students, teachers, and parents. Specifically, preschools will not be merged with general education schools, nor will general education schools be merged with vocational education and continuing education centers, or specialized schools with mainstream schools.

According to statistics, at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, the country had over 15,000 preschools. The numbers for primary and lower secondary schools were approximately 12,000 and 10,700, respectively. There were 2,980 upper secondary schools, and about 600 vocational and continuing education centers.

By 30/6, local authorities had already reduced 586 public schools and 709 management positions (principals and vice-principals). The Ministry of Education and Training stated that this streamlining applies to small, scattered, or inefficient schools, and isolated campuses that do not meet minimum standards. The Ministry assures that these actions do not affect or disrupt teaching and learning activities.

Thanh Hang