Hanoi reduces over 2,360 principals, vice-principals

Over 2,360 principals and vice-principals have been reduced following school mergers in Hanoi, representing the largest reduction nationwide.

Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairperson of the Hanoi City People's Committee, announced this information at the academic year-end review conference on the morning of 21/8. The reduction occurred because the capital city streamlined 53,3% of its public school units, decreasing the number from 2,315 to nearly 1,100 schools. A total of 2,366 principals and vice-principals are subject to this restructuring. This group may transition to other professional roles, return to teaching, or opt for early retirement with benefits.

"We have streamlined management units, but the number of direct teaching staff has increased, which helps leverage resources and addresses the teacher shortage", Ha stated.

Concurrently, the change in school scale necessitates a renewed governance system. Schools that previously operated independently are now consolidated into larger institutions, requiring the establishment of common goals, implementation roadmaps, and appropriate management methods to ensure consistent educational quality across all facilities.

Regarding staff, instead of teachers working at a single school as before, the principal of the new, merged school must develop a coordination plan among the different facilities to better meet teaching and learning needs. Similarly, facilities must be utilized flexibly, rather than each school maintaining its distinct strengths as was the case prior to the restructuring.

Despite the reduction in school units, Ha noted that the number of classrooms has increased by 1,800, with 800 rooms immediately usable and another 1,000 rooms currently being completed.

Vice Chairperson Vu Thu Ha at the conference on the morning of 21/8. Photo: Thanh Hang

Nguyen Cao Cuong, principal of Thai Thinh Secondary School in Dong Da ward, agreed that larger school sizes create more resources but demand changes in management approaches.

Thai Thinh Secondary School currently comprises two former schools, Thai Thinh and Thinh Quang, with 57 classes and 2,325 students, one principal, and two vice-principals. Cuong explained that they have developed a "competency map" for the staff, organized joint professional activities, and are gradually sharing learning materials. The assets of the two facilities are also being reviewed for coordinated use based on demand.

According to Cuong, the new management structure was created based on the principle of respecting the memory, traditions, and pride of each school prior to the merger, without erasing old identities or imposing one side's approach.

"We aim to limit the 'this side - that side' mentality, shifting from 'working together in one school' to 'one team collectively responsible for one outcome'", Cuong said.

Public school unit reduction rates in 34 provinces and cities

Nationwide, the public school network is being restructured with the goal of reducing at least 30% of administrative units, progressing towards forming large-scale educational institutions, reducing management staff, increasing teaching staff, and enhancing educational quality.

The Ministry of Education and Training reported that provinces and cities are expected to reduce over 17,100 public school units; approximately 20,000 principals and vice-principals will be redundant, with 11,000 of them returning to teaching roles.