Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn beats the drum to officially open the 2024-2025 school year at Hà Nội's Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Secondary School on September 5. — VNA/VNS Photos

The 2024-25 academic year marks a significant milestone as the 2018 general education programme is rolled out uniformly across all twelve grades for the first time. It also marks the conclusion of five years of implementing the 2019 Education Law, with the draft Law on Teachers set to be debated in the National Assembly. Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn spoke to Tin Tức (News) newspaper about strategies for addressing these key developments.

Could you tell us the standout achievements of the education sector in the 2023-24 academic year?

The 2023-24 academic year marked a decade since the implementation of Resolution 29. Following the Politburo's directive, the Ministry of Education and Training, along with key agencies, reviewed the past ten years. On August 12, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 91, stressing the need for continued reform.

This conclusion is crucial for unifying efforts in advancing comprehensive education reforms to meet future development needs. Last year, the government and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính focused on early childhood education, introducing a new preschool curriculum and a draft resolution on universal education for children aged three to five.

In general education, the 2018 curriculum changes have been well received. Local authorities have invested in these reforms, with the 2023-2024 high school graduation exam successfully concluding as the last under the 2006 programme. The new exam system, starting in 2025, has been approved and is widely supported.

The year was also notable for Việt Nam’s specialised schools, with national Olympic teams achieving remarkable results, including gold and silver medals and high rankings in international competitions. Vietnamese students excelled at the International Science and Engineering Fair, securing second prize.

Higher education saw a record number of university applicants and significant quality improvements. Digital transformation advanced with the completion of educational databases and integration with the national population database. Increased applications for teacher training and improved base salaries have positively impacted educators.

The development and review of textbooks met quality expectations, and increased support for teachers was well received. The academic year also featured major national and international sports events, including the successful hosting of the 13th Southeast Asian Student Games and the 10th National Phù Đổng Sports Festival.

What are the education sector's main priorities for the new academic year?

For the 2024-25 academic year, the education sector will focus on implementing key national policies and Party resolutions, prioritising educational reform through discipline, innovation and quality enhancement.

Major goals include executing Conclusion No. 91 on education reform, assessing the 2018 general education programme, preparing a new preschool curriculum, enhancing university autonomy, and advancing human resources training. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills in semiconductor microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.

The MoET will advise the government on an action programme for Conclusion No. 91 and create its own action plan to ensure effective execution. The sector will also update legal documents to address emerging issues and improve the policy environment, with a key focus on finalising the draft Law on Teachers.

Additionally, the ministry will soon release the Việt Nam Education Development Strategy for 2030 and a vision for 2045, aiming to address current challenges and achieve greater success in the new academic year.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the education sector will continue rolling out the new curriculum in grades five, nine, and 12. This year also marks the first high school graduation exam conducted under the new curriculum. What specific directives has the MoET issued for this academic year?

Despite the challenges encountered during recent educational reforms, the process has highlighted the commitment and effort of the entire political system, local authorities, and the education sector. This year is particularly crucial, and the MoET has been preparing extensively. The new high school graduation exam format, which will be introduced in 2025, has been developed with broad consultation and received strong public support. Regulations for the 2025 exam are expected to be issued by November 2024 and are designed to be practical and stable for students, teachers, and schools.

To ensure a smooth transition, extensive trial runs of the new exam format will be conducted, with local education departments prepared to implement these trials and address any issues.

The academic year’s schedule and guidelines have been released early, outlining key tasks such as implementing the 2018 curriculum for final grades and preparing for the 2025 graduation exam.

In various meetings, including those with education directors and sector-wide reviews, the MoET and local officials have discussed tasks, shared experiences, and sought solutions to challenges.

The MoET remains committed to closely monitoring and supporting local areas in executing key tasks for the 2024-25 academic year.

Students in Hòa Bình Province on the first day of the new academic year.

Teacher shortages continue to affect many provinces and cities, particularly for those qualified to teach the new curriculum. What steps has the MoET taken or planned to address this issue?

Currently, there are around 1.6 million teachers nationwide. In the 2023-24 academic year, 19,474 new teachers were recruited. However, rising student numbers have led to an increase in classes: 7,198 more at the lower secondary level (requiring 13,676 additional teachers) and 1,213 more at the upper secondary level (needing 2,729 more teachers). This has contributed to a persistent teacher shortage in many regions.

Preliminary reports suggest that the teacher shortage for the 2024-25 academic year will rise by 19,856, including 6,000 more needed for early childhood education and 13,856 for general education. The shortage is mainly due to the growing number of students, which has led to 2,327 additional groups in early childhood education and 7,150 more classes in general education.

The ministry has directed local authorities to fill all teaching positions and to request additional teacher training. Universities are being encouraged to train teachers for new subjects and ethnic minority languages.

The MoET will continue to update policies and legislation to improve teachers' status, including presenting the draft Law on Teachers to the National Assembly. This law aims to create a legal framework for recruitment, management, and recognition of teachers and to give education authorities more control over teacher appointments.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the MoET will advise on staffing quotas as per Central Decision No. 72, urging localities to use existing quotas fully and request additional ones. Local authorities are also encouraged to implement supportive policies to ensure job security and satisfaction for teachers.

Recent policies, including incentives for teacher trainees and salary increases, have made teaching careers more appealing. Many regions have adopted measures to attract and retain teachers, and the draft Law on Teachers is designed to address these needs, representing significant progress in tackling the teacher shortage.

As the new academic year approaches, shortages of school places persist in major cities, and school infrastructure in challenging and flood-affected areas remains inadequate. How has the MoET addressed and supported localities in dealing with these issues?

Localities have recently focused on expanding school networks, improving infrastructure, and upgrading teaching facilities. However, around 15.5 per cent of classrooms nationwide remain inadequately built, with persistent shortages in densely populated, mountainous, remote, and particularly challenging areas. The availability of teaching equipment meeting regulatory standards is also low, at just 50.63 per cent.

To achieve the 2030 goal of upgrading all educational facilities, significant effort from local authorities, guided by the MoET, is essential. For the 2024-25 school year, local education departments should develop a 2025-30 plan to secure proactive investment in education. Localities must allocate at least 20 per cent of their budgets to education and leverage available policies and incentives.

Key objectives include effective state budget use, continuing facility upgrades, eliminating temporary classrooms, and expanding classrooms in rapidly growing or densely populated areas. Adequate infrastructure and teaching equipment to support the new general education programme are crucial.

The draft Law on Teachers, which the Ministry has developed and published for public consultation, is expected to be a major highlight. The National Assembly Standing Committee has included it in the 2024 legislative agenda, with initial review scheduled for October 2024 and final approval in May 2025. This development is promising for the 1.6 million teachers nationwide, addressing crucial issues related to their livelihoods and professional development.

As the new school year begins, what message would you like to share with the millions of students, teachers and education staff nationwide?

As the country’s economy and society develop, the demands on education become increasingly rigorous. The education sector has never faced such significant responsibilities and challenges as it does today. Over the past academic year, the sector has made remarkable efforts to overcome numerous obstacles.

The 2023-24 academic year ended on a positive note, and as we look forward to the new academic year, I want to acknowledge and thank the exceptional efforts of all education staff, including managers, teachers, and employees, as well as students. As we embark on this new academic year, I encourage everyone, managers, teachers, and staff, to continue their hard work with renewed dedication and innovative solutions.

Building on the sector’s strong traditions, let us strive to further advance Vietnamese education in line with the Party’s and State’s goals. I wish teachers increased joy and motivation in their roles, and I hope students enjoy a year filled with creativity and progress. — VNS