In an effort to bridge educational gaps in Vietnam’s remote border regions, the government has embarked on a significant initiative to enhance educational infrastructure. The project, under the guidance of Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng, aims to complete construction and improvement of facilities at multi-level boarding schools, a vital part of the government’s broader plan to reduce regional disparities in education.
During a recent meeting held in Hà Nội, Prime Minister Hưng instructed the Ministry of Education and Training to expedite the completion of facilities at 108 newly opened boarding schools, which commenced operations on September 5. Additionally, he set a target to finish building 121 more schools by August 30, 2027. This initiative is part of a comprehensive program under Politburo Resolution 71-NQ/TW, which focuses on improving educational access in disadvantaged areas through the establishment of 248 boarding schools across border communes.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of evaluating the effectiveness and educational quality at these new institutions. He urged authorities to ensure sufficient resources, including classrooms and teaching staff, are available to meet the educational needs of the students. Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of using enrollment data effectively to plan future educational facilities.
Beyond infrastructure, a pressing challenge faces Vietnam’s education system: a nationwide textbook shortage. Hưng has tasked the education ministry with addressing the deficit of approximately 776,000 textbook sets by September 25. He noted that shortcomings in demand forecasting, ordering, publishing, and distribution were key contributors to the issue, and demanded a thorough investigation to determine accountability, with findings due by October 10.
To prevent future shortages, the Prime Minister called for a diversification in textbook production and distribution along with stringent quality controls. These measures are expected to ensure that all students across the country have reliable access to necessary educational materials.