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During the working session on the morning of October 22, the Minister of Education and Training presented three draft laws: the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law; the Higher Education Law (amended); and the Vocational Education Law (amended).

According to the Minister, these three draft laws are closely interrelated and were developed synchronously to institutionalize in a timely manner the major policies and orientations of the Party, particularly Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo on making breakthroughs in education and training development; along with key resolutions on science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, international cooperation, development of the private sector economy, and renovation of legal construction and enforcement work.

“This is a necessary step to remove ‘bottlenecks’ in the field of education and training; enhancing the autonomy of educational institutions while ensuring quality, effectiveness, and efficiency, and simultaneously meeting new requirements for decentralization, administrative procedure reform, streamlining the organizational apparatus, and implementing the two-tier local government model,” the Minister emphasized.

Clarifying the direction for student tracking after lower secondary education

The draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Education Law focuses on four main groups of content, including institutionalizing the Party’s major policies, particularly Resolution 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which stipulates that lower secondary education is compulsory and universalizes preschool education for children aged 3-5; adding principles on science and technology policy and digital transformation, such as building a national education database, applying controlled artificial intelligence, issuing a unified national textbook set, and simultaneously not establishing school boards in public educational institutions.

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Addressing practical obstacles, such as adding vocational high school at the same level as general high school; clarifying the direction for student tracking after lower secondary education; separating local educational materials from textbooks and delegating the authority for compilation and approval to localities; stipulating that diplomas and certificates can be issued in paper, electronic, or digital form; adding educational support services that do not overlap with activities funded by the state budget.

The draft Law clearly demonstrates the spirit of decentralization in state management, transferring many powers from the central level to localities and educational institutions: from the National Assembly and the Government to the Ministry of Education and Training, and then to People’s Committees at all levels, aiming to create proactiveness, flexibility, and reduce administrative layers.

The draft Law affects 69 out of 126 current administrative procedures, aiming for streamlining, digitalization, and strong decentralization. Many procedures, such as issuing lower secondary graduation diplomas, are abolished, with principals authorized to confirm program completion; procedures for establishing, merging, and dissolving educational institutions will be detailed at the decree level instead of being directly stipulated in the law.

Identifying vocational education as a pillar for developing a high-skilled workforce

The draft Vocational Education Law (amended) consists of 9 chapters and 42 articles, 37 articles fewer than the current law, reflecting the orientation towards streamlining, modernization, and granting comprehensive autonomy to vocational education institutions, regardless of their financial status.

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The Law identifies vocational education as a pillar for developing a high-skilled workforce, prioritized in socio-economic development strategies. Regarding the system, it adds the type of vocational high school at the same level as general high school to enhance the effectiveness of student tracking, serving both universalization and meeting the demand for technical human resources.

The draft abolishes school boards in public vocational education institutions, while perfecting the linkage mechanism between schools and enterprises, encouraging businesses to participate in curriculum development, teaching, internships, and result assessment, associated with the establishment of an enterprise human resource training fund.

Approximately 30 out of 42 articles are amended, with many overlapping regulations removed to ensure legal consistency. Simultaneously, there are 6 new contents compared to the 2014 Law, notably including: recognition of accumulated learning outcomes and

Hanoi City Congress

The Hanoi City Congress is not a widely recognized historical or cultural site. It likely refers to the Hanoi People’s Council, the local legislative and governing body of the city. This modern administrative institution is responsible for the governance and development of Vietnam’s capital.

Education Law

“Education Law” refers to the legal framework governing educational systems, policies, and institutions, rather than a specific physical place or cultural site. It has evolved over centuries, with roots in compulsory education laws from the 19th century and expanding to address issues like civil rights, disability access, and funding equity. This body of law shapes how schools operate and ensures the right to education in many nations.

Higher Education Law

“Higher Education Law” refers to the legal framework governing post-secondary education systems, not a physical place or cultural site. These laws typically establish institutional structures, funding mechanisms, academic standards, and student rights within a country’s higher education system. Many nations developed comprehensive higher education legislation during the 20th century to expand access and standardize quality, such as China’s 1998 Higher Education Law which reformed its university system.

Vocational Education Law

The Vocational Education Law is a piece of Chinese legislation, first promulgated in 1996, that established a legal framework for the country’s vocational education and training system. It was significantly revised in 2022 to modernize the system, strengthen the integration between vocational schools and industries, and enhance the status and quality of skilled talent in the national workforce.

Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW

“Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a strategic policy document of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Adopted in 2022, its full title is the “Resolution on the orientation for the development of Vietnam’s marine economy,” which outlines a national strategy for the sustainable development of maritime industries, environmental protection, and the strengthening of national defense and security related to Vietnam’s seas and islands.

National Assembly

The National Assembly is the legislative body of many nations, typically responsible for creating and passing laws. Historically, the term is often associated with the French Revolution, where the National Assembly formed in 1789 by the Third Estate, marking a pivotal step toward establishing a constitutional monarchy. Today, it remains the name for the lower house of parliament in countries like France and South Korea.

Government

“Government” refers to the system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state. Its history traces back to ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt, where early forms of administration emerged to maintain order and manage resources. Modern governments have evolved to include various structures, such as democracies and monarchies, which create and enforce laws for societal functioning.

Ministry of Education and Training

The Ministry of Education and Training is the primary government body responsible for national education policy and administration in Vietnam. It was established shortly after the country’s independence in 1945, reflecting the government’s early focus on developing a national education system. The ministry oversees all levels of education, from primary schools to universities, and guides the country’s educational development and reforms.