Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has mandated urgent measures to address the lack of textbooks across the nation and to expedite the completion of boarding schools in remote border areas. This directive came during a meeting in Hà Nội on Monday, where Hưng emphasized the need to finish outstanding work at 108 multi-level boarding schools that commenced the academic year on September 5.
In addition to completing these schools, Hưng ordered the rapid construction of 121 additional facilities, setting a deadline of August 30, 2027. These schools are part of a broader initiative under Politburo Resolution 71-NQ/TW aimed at reducing educational disparities and enhancing access in disadvantaged regions. This extensive program encompasses 248 boarding schools situated in border communes.
The Prime Minister also called on authorities to evaluate the new schools’ educational quality and operational effectiveness. He highlighted the importance of ensuring sufficient resources, such as classrooms and teachers, and suggested leveraging enrollment data for future planning. Furthermore, Hưng asked for comprehensive reports in preparation for a review of the government’s adherence to Resolution 71, focusing on identifying shortcomings and proposing improvements.
Amidst these educational developments, Hưng addressed the pressing issue of a nationwide textbook shortage, which affects approximately 776,000 sets. He attributed the shortfall to deficiencies in forecasting demand, as well as in ordering, publishing, and distributing the books. The Ministry of Education and Training has been tasked with resolving this issue by September 25 and identifying accountability in their report due by October 10.
Hưng also advocated for more diverse textbook production and distribution channels, alongside rigorous quality controls, to guarantee that students throughout the country receive the necessary educational materials. This multifaceted approach aims to strengthen Vietnam’s educational infrastructure and ensure equitable resource allocation.