Provinces and cities must swiftly review and reorganize public commune-level educational facilities, while also completing the arrangement of health stations by 2025. This directive was part of a conclusion issued by the Politburo and the Secretariat on 28/11. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Training, and Ministry of Home Affairs are tasked with coordinating with localities to ensure timely and quality implementation.

To facilitate this, provincial/city Party Secretaries and ministers are required to enhance grassroots visits. The aim is to assess the situation and resolve issues, particularly regarding the management of public offices and assets. This approach ensures the reorganization proceeds smoothly, without disrupting teaching and initial healthcare services for residents.

The Government Party Committee is tasked with directing ministries and agencies to promptly review the entire legal system across various sectors. This comprehensive review aims to amend, supplement, and resolve conflicts and overlaps, ensuring alignment with the two-tier local government model. Priority areas for this legal overhaul include: finance - budget, land and planning, administrative reform and digital transformation, science - technology development, organizational structure, personnel, education, training, and health.

Opening ceremony at Bui Van Moi Primary School, Phuoc Long ward, Ho Chi Minh City, academic year 2025. *Photo: Quynh Tran*

The Politburo and the Secretariat also emphasize the modernization of digital infrastructure, enhancing the capacity of commune-level officials, and rationalizing staffing to meet new task requirements. The Central Organization Commission will coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to evaluate the performance of local political systems, particularly policies concerning organizational structure, personnel, decentralization, and delegation of authority.

The country currently has over 23 million preschool children and students. This includes over 12,000 primary schools, nearly 11,000 junior high schools, and nearly 2,500 high schools. This nationwide reorganization aims to streamline public service units and enhance the quality of education services.

Since September, the Ministry of Home Affairs has urged localities to consider reorganizing public school and hospital systems. This includes merging vocational education and continuing education centers into vocational high schools under the Department of Education and Training, serving inter-commune/ward areas. Each province or city will maintain a maximum of 3 vocational schools, excluding autonomous institutions.

Beyond the preschool to high school system, substandard universities will also be considered for merger or dissolution. This measure aims to ensure training quality and alignment with the national education network plan.

Vu Tuan