Khanh Hoa Province to Significantly Reduce Public Schools Starting 2026 Academic Year

Khanh Hoa Province in central Vietnam has announced a large-scale restructuring plan to significantly reduce the number of public schools starting from the 2026 academic year. This initiative will merge or close approximately 37.2% of the existing schools. The reform aims to streamline educational administration and optimize the utilization of educational resources, with a particular emphasis on prioritizing resources for teachers directly involved in instruction. This move is seen as part of broader efforts in Vietnam to modernize and enhance the efficiency of its education system. Under its one-party system, the central government prioritizes economic growth, and reforms are being pushed in the education sector to maximize limited resources and provide high-quality education. Amid challenges such as teacher shortages and educational disparities, consolidating schools is expected to optimize teacher allocation and centralize educational infrastructure. The Khanh Hoa Department of Education emphasizes that this restructuring will lead to improved educational quality. By eliminating redundant administrative departments through school mergers, the freed-up budget and personnel can be reallocated to the educational front lines, potentially leading to higher quality educational programs and better teacher compensation. Furthermore, the integration of colleges is also underway, aiming to enhance the overall efficiency and specialization of higher education institutions. Against the backdrop of rapid economic growth in recent years, Vietnam has been increasing investment in education, but simultaneously, the efficiency of its education system is also being scrutinized. Addressing educational disparities between rural and urban areas, or between different regions, is a crucial issue for the nation's overall stability and development. The current school restructuring in Khanh Hoa Province suggests it could be a response to these challenges and may influence future educational policies across Vietnam.