The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in Vietnam has called on local authorities to prioritize the restructuring of vocational and continuing education networks, ensuring that the rights and benefits of teachers and management staff are upheld in the process. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the efficiency of the educational system.

As part of the restructuring plan, it is projected that the number of school principals and vice principals will decrease significantly, with estimates suggesting a reduction of 32,625 positions along with 11,041 support staff. This comes after a comprehensive review of public educational institutions, which revealed a need to consolidate resources and improve the management of educational facilities.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, localities have been tasked with assessing the scale of schools, classrooms, and facilities to develop appropriate restructuring plans that do not disrupt learning or adversely affect stakeholders. The review has resulted in the merging of 1,955 educational institutions, the closure of 1,017, and the establishment of 857 new facilities.

By August 20, 2026, 16 provinces had largely completed their restructuring efforts, with the remaining areas expected to finalize their plans by the end of the month. The overall goal is to reduce the number of public educational institutions from 37,515 to 18,575, representing a 50.5% decrease. This reduction is intended to streamline management and enhance the effective use of educational resources.

In addition to these structural changes, the MoET has issued guidelines to ensure job stability and adherence to policies for educators and management staff during this transition. The ministry emphasizes the importance of aligning the educational workforce with the needs of local populations and the economy, while also addressing issues of teacher surplus and shortages in specific areas.

Furthermore, the MoET is advocating for flexible deployment of educators through transfers and assignments to optimize teaching resources across schools. This approach aims to maintain uninterrupted educational services while ensuring that all educators are adequately supported in their roles.

As Vietnam continues to reform its educational landscape, the focus remains on creating a more efficient, effective, and equitable system that meets the needs of its students and communities.