Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau chaired a meeting with ministries and agencies on the morning of 26/6 to implement the outcomes of a working session between General Secretary and President To Lam and the education and training sector two weeks ago.

Addressing school safety, Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son stated that cyberspace is a place where students spend much time studying, communicating, and accessing information. However, the rapid development of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) tools poses challenges in child protection efforts.

"We need regulations to manage children's access to social media and uncontrolled AI tools," the Minister emphasized. He added that building safe schools must include moral education, lifestyle education, life skills, and protecting students in the digital environment.

Mr. Son's view comes as many countries globally have recently banned children from using social media, including Australia, Indonesia, the UAE, Malaysia, and the UK. The common age limit chosen by these countries is 16. Many other nations, such as Germany, Canada, Norway, and Turkey, are considering similar regulations.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau agreed with the Ministry of Education and Training's proposal to research controlled social media use.

He also called for strict handling of school violence; the buying and selling, and use of e-cigarettes in and around schools; and accelerated implementation of drug-free school models. Additionally, agencies need to enhance inspections and address food safety issues at stalls outside and inside schools, and pay more attention to physical education and cultural, artistic, and sports activities within schools.

Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son at the meeting on the morning of 26/6. *Photo: MOET*

Furthermore, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Education and Training to report data on teacher surpluses and shortages, and propose solutions for the new academic year. The Ministry should also thoroughly review teachers, classrooms, textbooks, minimum teaching equipment, and school safety to prepare for the new academic year's opening.

The Ministry also needs to research a nationwide, standardized public disclosure model for academic year-start fees, clearly distinguishing between mandatory fees, service fees, and voluntary contributions.

Addressing the reduction of academic and exam pressure for students, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau stated that vocational guidance is crucial, shaping students' life paths and serving as a solution to alleviate exam pressure.

According to him, the Ministry of Education and Training should comprehensively review the curriculum, teaching content, examinations, and assessments, aiming to minimize unnecessary requirements, procedures, and documentation. This includes researching the reduction of subjects no longer relevant in the current context, as artificial intelligence actively supports teaching and learning.

The Deputy Prime Minister also urged the Ministry to expedite local progress in constructing inter-level boarding schools in border communes.

Khanh Linh