Students in class at Tuyên Quang Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Ministry of Education and Training has circulated a draft decree proposing a suite of preferential admission and support measures for the studies of students from very small ethnic minority groups.

The draft, which would replace Decree 57/2017 and amend parts of Decree 66/2025, aims to broaden access to “full, continuous and equal” education across all levels, from preschool and general education to vocational training, undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

A major change would extend financial support to students at non-public schools who meet eligibility conditions, reflecting the Government’s policy of socialising education and ensuring benefits are not tied to the type of institution.

Under the proposal, children from ethnic minority groups with very few members would receive admission priority to public preschools and to ethnic boarding and residential schools, including schools in mainland border communes.

Graduates from lower secondary schools would be admitted directly to a range of upper secondary and vocational programmes, while upper secondary graduates would gain direct entry to university preparatory schools and vocational institutions or be placed under quota-based recruitment.

Higher education applicants would receive the maximum preferential admission points allowed under current recruitment rules. The draft also introduces new postgraduate provisions, including extra points, preferential review or direct admission at the discretion of institutions, and limited acceptance of minority language certificates in some cases.

Financial support would be tailored by education level, ranging from 30 per cent to 150 per cent of the State base salary per person per month.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students from very small ethnic communities would receive the highest rate of 150 per cent, along with priority for dormitory accommodation. Support would match actual months of study, but would be capped at nine months per academic year or training programme.

To reduce paperwork, the decree encourages use of the National Population Database and sectoral databases. Where authorities can verify information directly, families would not need to submit proof.

Applicants would file documents only once per institution, in person, by post or via the National Public Service Portal.

The ministry is inviting feedback from agencies, organisations and the public on the draft decree. — VNS