In an effort to address educational disparities and improve access to schooling in Vietnam’s remote border areas, the government has embarked on an ambitious program to expand boarding school facilities. Central to this initiative is the development of 248 multi-level boarding schools across border communes, aiming to enhance educational opportunities for communities that have traditionally been underserved.
During a recent meeting in Hà Nội, Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng emphasized the need to expedite the completion of facilities at 108 newly opened schools, which welcomed students for the new academic year on September 5. He also set a deadline for the construction of 121 additional schools, targeting completion by August 30, 2027. This initiative is part of the broader Politburo Resolution 71-NQ/TW, which seeks to reduce regional inequalities in education.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of assessing the effectiveness and educational quality of these new institutions. This includes ensuring they are equipped with adequate resources, such as classrooms and teaching staff. To support future planning, he advocated for better utilization of enrollment data when determining the location and capacity of upcoming educational facilities.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, Hưng directed attention to an urgent nationwide textbook shortage. He instructed the Ministry of Education and Training to resolve a deficit of approximately 776,000 textbook sets by September 25. The shortage, attributed to shortcomings in forecasting, ordering, and distribution processes, requires immediate corrective measures. The ministry was tasked with assigning responsibility for these issues and reporting their findings by October 10.
The Prime Minister further called for diversification in the production and distribution of textbooks to prevent future shortages. He emphasized the need for stronger quality controls to ensure students throughout Vietnam have access to necessary educational materials, highlighting the critical role these resources play in the learning process.