Education Minister Outlines Schools Facing Restructuring

Regarding Resolution 71 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training development, Minister Nguyen Kim Son believes that the resolution reflects the Politburo and Secretariat’s vision for education and training development, closely tied to the nation’s grand aspirations and development vision.

We cannot achieve our national development goals without addressing human resource issues, particularly the cultivation of talent.

The Minister emphasizes the critical issues raised by the General Secretary, focusing on three key aspects: “human” – developing individuals in the new era; “workforce” – preparing a workforce for the new era; and “talent” – as global competition intensifies, talent becomes the decisive factor.

Minister Son also notes that Resolution 71 introduces new elements compared to Resolution 29. While Resolution 29 aimed to shift from knowledge-centric education to a comprehensive development of learners’ skills and qualities, its core focus was on professional, governance, and intrinsic education and training issues.

To date, the implementation of Resolution 29 retains its strategic value, but there is a need to strengthen guidance in three areas: action-oriented approach, practicality, and feasibility. The implementation must be decisive, swift, and effective, ensuring that all measures are promptly executed with guaranteed results.

The Education Revolution

According to Minister Nguyen Kim Son, the implementation of Resolution 71 marks an educational revolution. The resolution’s statements, “Education and training are the top national policy” and “Education determines the future of the nation,” demonstrate an unprecedented level of trust and strategic positioning for the education sector.

Therefore, he emphasizes that every educator and education manager must adopt attitudes, awareness, and actions commensurate with the trust placed in them by the Party and the State.

Moving forward, educators and staff should prioritize renewing their mindset and deeply understanding their roles and missions. They must confront existing challenges, inefficiencies, and weaknesses without avoiding long-standing issues, to make necessary adjustments.

The Minister also stresses the need for educational institutions, particularly higher education and vocational training, to develop more rapidly and with greater focus. Public institutions should fulfill their public mission by concentrating on training high-demand human resources.

Starting January 1, 2026, four education laws will take effect: the Law on Teachers, the amended Law on Education, the Law on Higher Education, and the revised Law on Vocational Education. Educators and managers at all levels, from primary to higher education, should study these laws to ensure smooth and error-free implementation.

Reviewing and Restructuring Underperforming Schools

Addressing the restructuring of educational institutions within the national education system, the Minister asserts that the goal is to strengthen institutions, ensuring more focused and effective investment.

“Schools that are fragmented, small, struggling with enrollment, or failing to meet quality standards, whether public or private, will be the first to undergo review and restructuring,” Minister Son stated.

Regarding the approach, the Ministry of Education and Training is seeking input and direction for restructuring. While the plan is under review, Minister Nguyen Kim Son advises provincial and city Departments of Education and Training to base their restructuring efforts on local realities, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.

He illustrates this with the example of vocational schools, which cannot replace Continuing Education and Vocational Training Centers. Therefore, merging these centers into vocational schools is inappropriate, as they cater to different student populations.