Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chaired a regular government meeting on 3/10, where he tasked the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) with several key reforms. He directed the Ministry to develop a specific roadmap for a new, nationally unified, and free textbook set, to be implemented from the 2028-2029 academic year. Additionally, the compilation, publishing, distribution, and supply of these textbooks must be innovated.

The Prime Minister emphasized that MOET, in collaboration with local authorities, must ensure sufficient teachers, budget, and land for constructing new schools, guaranteeing an adequate number of schools and classrooms. Alongside reviewing the overall program to reduce academic and examination pressure, he also stressed the urgent need to finalize the university admissions plan.

This marks the second time in two weeks that the Prime Minister has directed MOET to review and adjust the general education program to reduce the workload. In his directive on 19/9, the Prime Minister underscored that the general education program should be foundational, ensuring all students receive education and are equipped with necessary knowledge, skills, qualities, and competencies. The program should also prioritize education on ethics, character, patriotism, a sense of responsibility, and an aspiration to contribute.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chairs a regular government meeting on the morning of 3/10. *Photo: VGP*

During this morning's session, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra reported that school network restructuring has been largely implemented. She proposed continuing the restructuring of public service units in the healthcare, vocational education, and higher education sectors in the coming period.

Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son stated that after the restructuring, the country has reduced 50.6% of preschools and general education schools. This process has led to several issues that require resolution, including: some principals and vice-principals are willing to retire early but do not meet the conditions for Decree 154 on staff downsizing; some schools have become very large, potentially affecting management efficiency and educational quality; and localized surpluses and shortages of teachers, as well as a deficit in overall teacher staffing quotas compared to norms, still occur in some areas.

To address these challenges, Minister Son indicated that local authorities must complete the reallocation and rotation of teachers between areas with localized surpluses and shortages this month. They also need to accurately quantify the number of teachers to serve as a basis for proposing additional staffing.

MOET will issue a circular adjusting teacher staffing norms and working conditions. Local proposals for additional staffing will be compiled by the Ministry and reported to competent authorities.

Vu Tuan