Vietnam to Merge Over 17,000 Public Schools for Quality and Efficiency

Vietnam is set to reduce over 17,000 public educational institutions, equivalent to 45.7%, as provinces and cities plan to rearrange and merge schools. This was revealed in reports from 34 localities, announced by the Ministry of Education and Training on August 5. The total number of educational units is projected to decrease from over 37,380 to 20,280 by establishing multi-level schools and converting many facilities into branch campuses or satellite sites. The new model will assign a person in charge for each branch, ensuring unified management of personnel, finance, and expertise. Necessary teaching points, especially in remote, mountainous, border, and island areas, will be maintained to avoid impacting students. Mr. Thai Van Tai, Director of the Department of Secondary Education, noted that the school arrangement impacts the management team (principals and vice-principals). The proposed solution is to prioritize their placement within the sector or transfer them to areas with shortages, assigning teaching duties to those qualified. If re-assignment is not possible, they will receive benefits and policies according to regulations. For school staff, localities will maintain positions for librarians, laboratory equipment managers, and health personnel. Administrative staff such as accountants, secretaries, and treasurers will be reorganized into a streamlined structure. Mr. Tai suggested that localities review each individual and position, only processing benefits and policies when employment cannot be arranged. Deputy Minister Pham Ngoc Thuong emphasized the need to complete this task before the new academic year, stating, "If not done well, it will affect the quality of teaching and learning, and greatly impact the students." The entire country is undergoing school mergers and reorganizations, with the goal of reducing at least 30% of educational units, and up to 50% in areas with favorable conditions. The Ministry of Education and Training believes that many current schools are small and fragmented, not aligning with development space and population size. The reorganization aims to shift from a "education management" mindset to "education development governance," thereby enhancing quality. Two models are being applied: large-scale single-level schools (with branches and satellite sites) and multi-level general education schools. The Ministry advises localities to ensure stability and minimize negative impacts on teaching, learning, and the psychology of students, teachers, and parents. Last month, the Ministry estimated that around 11,000 educational units would be reduced nationwide. Over 20,000 principals and vice-principals are subject to reassignment and restructuring, with 11,000 expected to return to teaching roles.