Vietnam Orders Major Reduction in Public Schools by August 30

The Vietnamese government has issued a directive requiring a substantial restructuring and reduction of public educational institutions, with a strict deadline of August 30. The directive mandates a minimum cut of 30% in administrative units across provincial and communal levels for preschools, general education schools, continuing education centers, and vocational training institutions. In areas where conditions are favorable, this reduction could reach as high as 50% compared to the figures from July 1, 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Thị Thanh Trà signed the directive, emphasizing that the reorganization should be flexible and tailored to local realities. The overarching goal is to consolidate educational facilities into larger, more effective units. The government aims to ensure that each commune has at least one preschool and one general education school covering both primary and lower secondary levels. This consolidation seeks to improve the quality of education and optimize resource allocation.

The restructuring plan outlines two primary models for the consolidated schools. Model 1 involves large, single-level schools or continuing education centers with multiple branches or satellite campuses, sharing administrative and support staff. Model 2 focuses on large, multi-level general education schools, which can operate from a single location or multiple sites, also with centralized administration and shared resources. The directive explicitly states that preschools should not be merged with general education schools.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to streamline the education sector, reduce administrative overhead, and increase the proportion of staff directly involved in teaching. The Ministry of Education and Training is tasked with overseeing the implementation and providing specific guidance to local authorities.