In Vietnam’s ongoing effort to bridge educational disparities between urban centers and remote areas, the government is focusing on expanding educational infrastructure in border regions. This initiative is part of Politburo Resolution 71-NQ/TW, which aims to reduce regional gaps in education access. Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has taken decisive action to address challenges faced by the newly opened boarding schools in these disadvantaged areas.
During a recent meeting in Hà Nội, Prime Minister Hưng directed the Ministry of Education and Training to expedite the completion of facilities at 108 multi-level boarding schools, which commenced their academic year on September 5. These schools are strategically located in remote border communes to provide educational opportunities where they are most needed. The Prime Minister also set an ambitious target for the construction of an additional 121 schools by August 30, 2027, in a bid to further enhance educational access.
Prime Minister Hưng underscored the need for a thorough assessment of the effectiveness and quality of education provided by these schools. He instructed authorities to ensure that adequate resources, such as classrooms and qualified teachers, are available to support the students. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of utilizing enrollment data effectively to guide future educational planning and infrastructure development.
In parallel, a nationwide shortage of textbooks has emerged as a pressing issue. The Prime Minister has tasked the education ministry with resolving the deficit of approximately 776,000 textbook sets by September 25. This shortage has been attributed to flaws in demand forecasting, ordering, publishing, and distribution processes. Hưng has called for a comprehensive review to determine accountability for these shortcomings, with findings expected by October 10.
To prevent future shortages and ensure the availability of educational materials, Hưng advocated for a more diversified approach to textbook production and distribution. He also highlighted the necessity for stringent quality controls to guarantee that students across Vietnam receive the necessary learning resources. As the government works to implement these directives, the focus remains on strengthening educational infrastructure and resource availability in Vietnam’s most underserved regions.