The Ministry of Education and Training in Vietnam has announced a significant plan to restructure the country's education system, set to roll out in the first quarter of 2027. The initiative aims to streamline the network of schools across the nation, reducing the number of educational institutions and enhancing administrative efficiency.

According to Mr. Thai Van Tai, Director of the Department of General Education, the restructuring process will first be piloted in 15 provinces and cities before being implemented nationwide. The goal is to reduce the total number of public preschools and general schools by 586, which will also lead to a decrease of 709 management positions.

The restructuring primarily targets smaller, less efficient educational facilities that do not meet minimum standards. This includes schools with low enrollment and overlapping functions among vocational education centers. However, challenges remain, as the current school network does not fully align with the demographic and developmental needs of local administrative units.

In Quang Ninh, the province that has already begun implementing school restructuring, 280 out of 570 schools have been successfully merged. Nguyen Thi Thuy, the Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Education and Training, acknowledged that while there are certain difficulties, this restructuring provides an opportunity to enhance the quality of the educational workforce.

In Hanoi, the Department of Education has proposed two models for restructuring: merging schools of the same educational level or creating integrated educational institutions. The principle is to limit the merging of more than three schools into one to ensure quality management.

Deputy Minister of Education Pham Ngoc Thuong emphasized the necessity of this restructuring process to streamline operations while improving effectiveness. He urged local education departments to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth implementation that maximizes students' access to education.

This restructuring effort is seen not only as a means to reduce administrative burdens but also as a way to enhance the overall quality of education in Vietnam.