Vietnam's PM Orders Streamlining of General Education Curriculum

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has instructed the Ministry of Education and Training to promptly review and implement a "streamlining" of the current general education curriculum. This directive aims to ensure that all students can acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, qualities, and competencies as a foundation. According to the Prime Minister's directive, conveyed by the Government Office on September 19, the Ministry of Education and Training must position the curriculum as a basis for students to acquire essential knowledge, skills, qualities, and competencies, and proceed with adjustments in that direction. The curriculum will emphasize education in morality, character, patriotism, responsibility, and the aspiration to contribute. Regarding textbooks, they must be perfected in a practical and effective manner, with timely revisions for any inadequacies. Furthermore, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Education and Training to coordinate closely with local authorities and the Vietnam Education Publishing House, mobilize all resources, and promptly adjust the printing and supply of textbooks to ensure schools receive the required quantities. The announcement stated, "The situation of textbook shortage for students' learning must not occur," and requested the completion of textbook and newspaper supply, with a report to the Prime Minister by September 22. The current general education curriculum consists of 27 subjects and educational activities. At the primary level, there are 11 compulsory subjects and educational activities, including Mathematics; Vietnamese; Morality; Foreign Language 1 (grades 3-5); Nature and Society (grades 1-3); History and Geography (grades 4-5); Science (grades 4-5); Information Technology and Technology (grades 3-5); Physical Education; Arts (Music, Fine Arts); and Experiential Activities. Ethnic Minority Language and Foreign Language 1 (grades 1-2) are elective subjects. At the lower secondary level, there are 12 compulsory subjects and educational activities: Literature; Mathematics; Foreign Language 1; Civic Education; History and Geography; Natural Sciences; Technology; Information Technology; Physical Education; Arts (Music, Fine Arts); Experiential and Career Guidance Activities; and Local Education Content. Ethnic Minority Language and Foreign Language 2 are elective subjects. At the upper secondary level, there are 8 compulsory subjects and activities: History; Literature; Mathematics; Foreign Language 1; Physical Education; National Defense and Security Education; Experiential and Career Guidance Activities; and Local Education Content. Ethnic Minority Language and Foreign Language 2 are elective subjects. Additionally, students choose four elective subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Information Technology, Geography, Technology, Economic and Legal Education, Music, and Fine Arts.