Vietnam’s efforts to bridge educational gaps in remote border areas are receiving a significant boost as the government accelerates the development of boarding schools and addresses a nationwide textbook shortage. These initiatives aim to enhance educational access and quality for students in disadvantaged regions, a key focus of the country’s broader educational reforms.
Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has tasked the Ministry of Education and Training with completing remaining facilities at 108 newly opened multi-level boarding schools. These schools, which began operating on September 5, are part of a larger project outlined in Politburo Resolution 71-NQ/TW. The resolution aims to diminish regional disparities in education by improving schooling access in border communes. Additionally, the Prime Minister called for the swift construction of 121 more schools, setting a completion target of August 30, 2027.
During a recent meeting in Hà Nội, Hưng emphasized the necessity of evaluating the effectiveness and educational quality of these new institutions. He urged authorities to ensure that the schools are well-equipped with adequate classrooms, teaching staff, and other essential resources. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of utilizing enrollment data to guide future educational infrastructure planning.
A pressing issue also addressed by the Prime Minister is the shortage of textbooks affecting approximately 776,000 sets across the nation. Hưng attributed this shortfall to weaknesses in demand forecasting, ordering, publishing, and distribution processes. He directed the education ministry to resolve the issue by September 25 and to identify those responsible for the oversight, with a detailed report due by October 10.
In response to the textbook shortage, Hưng has called for a diversification in textbook production and distribution systems, coupled with enhanced quality controls. These measures are intended to ensure that students throughout Vietnam have the necessary learning materials, thereby supporting equitable educational opportunities nationwide.