Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính with students of the Hà Nội's Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Secondary School at the opening ceremony of a new school year on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photos

HÀ NỘI — More than 25 million students nationwide started the new school year on Thursday.

Amid nationwide excitement, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attended the opening ceremony at Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Secondary School in Hà Nội.

Founded in 1982 to educate visually impaired children, the school now also admits non-disabled students and follows an inclusive education model for grades one to nine.

After reading a congratulatory letter from General Secretary and President Tô Lâm, PM Chính praised the school's achievements and resilience.

He stressed the importance of education, recalling President Hồ Chí Minh's teachings on the value of educating people.

The PM said that the Party and State have always regarded education and training as a top national policy.

In recent years, numerous policies and mechanisms have been implemented to develop education and training effectively.

Việt Nam's education sector has achieved significant milestones, with ongoing fundamental and comprehensive reforms meeting the needs of industrialisation, modernisation, and international integration. This is particularly relevant in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution's widespread impact.

The PM called for continued reforms, improved teaching methods and support for students with disabilities.

Looking ahead to the 2024-25 academic year, PM Chính emphasised the importance of continuing to build on past successes with a focus on students at the centre, teachers as the driving force, schools as the foundation, families as the support and society as the base.

He urged that any shortcomings be promptly addressed and that successes be built upon with greater determination and effort.

The Ministry of Education and Training, along with other ministries and local authorities, should create a healthy legal, cultural, and educational environment, particularly for students with disabilities and those in difficult circumstances.

The PM also directed the effective implementation of the conclusion of the Politburo on continuing educational reforms, focusing on enhancing teaching methods, assessment and integrating advanced educational technology.

He urged improvements in the quality of education and diverse training models, supporting community integration for people with disabilities and ensuring equal educational opportunities for all students.

He stressed the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment, free from violence and drugs.

He called on parents to support their children and emphasised the need for a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment.

PM Chính also inspected the school's facilities, advocating for better investment and resources to enhance infrastructure and student welfare, ensuring that no student is left behind.

On Wednesday, the PM issued a directive to enhance the 2024-25 academic year. The directive focuses on a student-centred approach, with teachers, schools, families, and society each playing a crucial role.

The MoET is tasked with updating policies to improve education quality, manage textbooks, and drive digital transformation in schools. It will also prepare for the high school graduation exams under the 2018 General Education Curriculum.

In higher education, the emphasis is on quality improvement, university autonomy, investment attraction and innovation in technology fields such as semiconductors and AI.

The MoET must also ensure school safety, prevent violence, and address teacher shortages, especially in preschool and new curriculum subjects. The Ministry of Finance will allocate funds for education infrastructure.

Local governments are directed to reorganise schools, reduce class sizes, expand boarding schools in remote areas, invest in teacher training, and ensure financial transparency. They are also encouraged to improve disaster preparedness and continue digital transformation efforts in education.

NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn beats the drum to inaugurate the new school year at Phạm Hùng High School in Vĩnh Long Province.

At the Phạm Hùng High School opening in Vĩnh Long Province, National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn reaffirmed the Party and State’s commitment to prioritising education as a key to national development. He praised the school's achievements and encouraged teachers to model ethics and inspire students.

Chairman Mẫn highlighted the 2024-25 school year as the start of the new high school graduation exam under the 2018 General Education Curriculum.

He urged the MoET to ensure smooth implementation and support for students and families.

He called on Vĩnh Long authorities to prioritise education by securing financial resources, improving infrastructure, and developing a skilled teaching workforce.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn said that this year’s theme is innovation, quality, solidarity, and discipline, with the aim to meet and exceed educational targets.

Việt Nam now has nearly 54,000 educational institutions supported by about 1.6 million education professionals. — VNS