The Ministry of Education and Training stated that it cannot currently proceed with reorganizing higher education institutions and vocational schools under its management because it is integrating two major projects into one comprehensive plan.

On the afternoon of October 15, Deputy Minister of Education and Training stated that an official document has been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, presenting specific views and proposals related to the reorganization of public educational institutions according to directives from the Central Steering Committee and relevant resolutions.

Proposal to merge and streamline the higher education system

Previously (October 8), the Ministry of Home Affairs held a meeting with the Ministry of Education and Training regarding the reorganization of public service units, state-owned enterprises, and internal units within political system organizations according to directives from the Central Steering Committee on reviewing Resolution 18.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, in implementing Resolution 71 of the Politburo, this unit was assigned to develop a project for reorganizing the higher education system, while also developing a project to transfer some higher education institutions to local management, expected to be submitted to the Prime Minister in 2026.

Additionally, according to Government Resolution 03, the Ministry of Education and Training was also assigned to lead the development of a project to transfer multidisciplinary higher education institutions to this ministry’s management.

Based on the content of the September 25 meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister with relevant ministries and sectors, the Ministry of Education and Training is drafting implementation plans for these tasks to report to the Government and Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

Specifically, the Ministry of Education and Training plans to propose merging the content of the project to transfer multidisciplinary higher education institutions to this ministry’s management into the project for reorganizing the higher education system.

This merger aims to ensure comprehensiveness and consistency in the process of streamlining the higher education system nationwide, thereby forming a unified project to submit to the Prime Minister for consideration.

Therefore, the reorganization of higher education institutions and vocational schools under the Ministry of Education and Training cannot currently be implemented.

Difficulties in proposing vocational high school model

Regarding vocational education and continuing education, the Ministry of Education and Training stated it is encountering some obstacles in implementing directions from Document No. 59 of the Central Steering Committee on reviewing Resolution 18.

Specifically, the vocational high school model (combining vocational education centers and continuing education) is still being proposed in the draft amended Vocational Education Law, without legal basis for implementation. The Ministry proposes only reviewing and streamlining centers across related ward and commune areas first, and only reorganizing into vocational high schools after the law is passed by the National Assembly.

Regarding the direction for each province and city to have no more than 3 vocational schools, the current Education Law and Vocational Education Law do not define the concept of vocational schools, only colleges and intermediate schools. The Ministry suggests clarifying that this limit applies to public schools.

Simultaneously, it proposes considering the specific characteristics of localities with large labor forces and numerous vocational training institutions such as Ho Chi Minh City (62 schools), Hanoi (54), Hai Phong (19), Ninh Binh (28), Phu Tho (21)…

The Ministry also emphasized that reorganization should apply to both autonomous and non-autonomous schools to improve the quality and operational efficiency of educational institutions.

Guidelines issued for reorganizing general and preschool education

For the general education and preschool education system, the Ministry of Education and Training stated it has issued specific guidelines for reorganizing educational institutions appropriate to the two-level local government model.

The Ministry of Education and Training is collecting feedback on the draft National Assembly resolution on specific mechanisms and policies to achieve breakthroughs in education and training development, including regulations on reorganizing and restructuring the public education institution system.

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.

Ministry of Home Affairs

The Ministry of Home Affairs is a key government department in many countries, typically responsible for domestic policy, national security, law and order, and public administration. Historically, such ministries were established to centralize the governance of internal affairs, with their specific roles evolving to address the security and administrative needs of the modern nation-state.

Central Steering Committee

The Central Steering Committee is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather an administrative or political body. It typically refers to a high-level committee within a government or organization responsible for directing major policies or campaigns. Such committees are common in various political systems, particularly for coordinating large-scale national initiatives.

Politburo

The Politburo is the principal executive and policymaking committee within communist political parties, historically most prominent in the Soviet Union. It originated in the early 20th century as a small group of top leaders who held ultimate decision-making power over the state and party affairs. The term is now commonly associated with the centralized, authoritarian leadership structure of one-party states.

Government

“Government” refers to the system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state. Its history dates back to ancient civilizations, where early forms of governance, such as monarchies and councils, were established to create laws and maintain order. Modern governments have evolved to include various structures like democracies, republics, and authoritarian regimes, shaping societies through political processes and institutions.

Prime Minister

“Prime Minister” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a political title for the head of government in many countries. The role originated in Britain, with Sir Robert Walpole often considered the first Prime Minister in the 1720s, though the title was not officially used until much later. The position has since been adopted by numerous nations within and beyond the Commonwealth, evolving into a central figure of executive power.

National Assembly

The National Assembly refers to the legislative body of France, housed in the Palais Bourbon in Paris. Established during the French Revolution in 1789, it was a pivotal institution formed by the Third Estate that marked the shift from absolute monarchy to representative government. Today, it remains the lower house of the French Parliament, responsible for creating laws and overseeing the government.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam. It served as the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent Republic of South Vietnam. The city is renowned for its pivotal role in the Vietnam War, with historic landmarks like the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum.