The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training has announced a major restructuring plan that will see over 20,000 school principals and vice principals reassigned as part of efforts to merge schools. The report, which outlines the educational landscape for the 2025-2026 school year, was released on July 24.

Currently, Vietnam has nearly 37,000 public preschools and primary schools. The government aims to reduce the number of schools by at least 30%, with some areas targeting a reduction of up to 50%. As part of this plan, the Ministry estimates that approximately 11,000 schools will be closed, leading to the reassignment of more than 20,000 school leaders.

Of those affected, around 11,000 will transition to teaching positions, addressing a long-standing shortage of teachers in the country. The remaining individuals will either be reassigned to different roles or retire early, in accordance with regulations and personal preferences.

The restructuring is part of a broader initiative to improve the educational system, as many schools currently operate on a small scale and are not aligned with population growth and development needs. The Ministry has emphasized the need to shift from a focus on "educational management" to "educational development governance" to enhance quality.

Two main models for school restructuring will be implemented: larger single-level schools with multiple branches and multi-level schools. Key principles include prioritizing the merging of schools at the same level or in close proximity, while ensuring that preschools are not merged with primary schools or vocational education centers.

Additionally, each commune will have at least one preschool and one primary school to ensure access to education and prevent students from dropping out due to difficulties. The restructuring process is expected to be completed by August 30.

By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, Vietnam is projected to have nearly 1.3 million teachers in preschool and primary education, along with 98,500 school leaders, including contract and private sector staff.