Deputy PM sets October 1 deadline for public education restructuring

The Deputy Prime Minister made the request at a meeting with the Ministry of Education and Training on the progress of restructuring public vocational education and higher education institutions, held at Government headquarters on September 22.

The Deputy Prime Minister asked the relevant agencies and localities to complete their restructuring plans on schedule, coordinate closely during the transfer process and ensure that education and training activities continue without disruption.

The process must also protect the legitimate rights and interests of learners, teachers and employees, he said.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, as of September 18, Vietnam had 281 public vocational education institutions, representing a reduction of 33 institutions, or about 10.5%, from July 31, 2026. In higher education, Vietnam currently has 130 public higher education institutions, down by three from July 2025 following reorganisations and mergers.

However, progress in restructuring remains uneven across localities. Ten localities have yet to submit their restructuring plans as required, namely Tuyen Quang, Lai Chau, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen, Quang Ninh, Hue, Lam Dong, An Giang, Ca Mau and Lao Cai.

The ministry has asked ministries, sectors and localities to review each institution and determine a specific course of action, including retention, merger, dissolution or transfer to local management.

For institutions to be transferred, the relevant agencies must complete the necessary dossiers and coordinate with receiving localities on arrangements for their organisation, management, finances and assets.

After restructuring or mergers are approved, institutions must promptly consolidate their organisational structures and ensure that training continues without interruption.

Restructuring to improve quality

At the meeting, Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son said the ministry would continue urging ministries, sectors and localities to accelerate the process and work with local authorities to finalise arrangements following transfers.

Reports from ministries, sectors and localities also highlighted difficulties in the restructuring process and proposed measures to ensure that institutions can operate effectively after being reorganised or transferred.

Hai Phong, for example, has merged several institutions, reducing the number of colleges from seven to four, while agreeing to receive three institutions from ministries. Deputy Chairman of the Hai Phong People's Committee Dao Trong Duc called for relevant ministries to accelerate procedures for the transfer of the three institutions.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Le Tien Chau stressed that restructuring does not mean simply reducing training capacity or the number of institutions.

The aim, he said, is to reduce organisational units, improve training quality and better align vocational education with labour demand at the local, regional and national levels.

The target is to reduce the number of public vocational education institutions by 30%. Institutions that are inefficient or no longer necessary should be dissolved rather than transferred to local authorities.

For institutions transferred to local management, localities must ensure that their operations are maintained and developed for at least three years.

Agencies told to meet deadline

To keep the process on schedule, the Deputy Prime Minister asked heads of relevant ministries, sectors and localities to take responsibility for the progress and results of restructuring and to coordinate closely throughout the transfer process.

Localities that have already determined their restructuring plans must urgently complete dossiers for the merger or dissolution of colleges under their management and submit them to the Ministry of Education and Training for appraisal before September 28.

The Ministry of Education and Training is to consider and decide on the plans within its authority before October 1. Localities with special authority, including Hanoi, will make decisions within their respective powers.

For institutions being transferred, local authorities must coordinate with the relevant ministries and agencies to agree on the arrangements, complete the required dossiers and determine how the institutions will be organised, managed and maintained.

The Deputy Prime Minister also asked the Ministry of Education and Training, in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs, to finalise criteria for identifying vocational education institutions in specialised fields and submit a draft Government resolution under the shortened procedure on September 23.

The overall requirement is clear: complete the restructuring on schedule while ensuring that the process improves the effectiveness and quality of the public vocational and higher education network.

The overall requirement is to complete the restructuring on schedule while improving the effectiveness and quality of the public vocational and higher education network.

Education Minister vows no textbook shortages next school year

VOV.VN - The education sector will learn from this year’s localised textbook shortages, tighten demand forecasting and supply planning, and ensure adequate textbook supplies for the next school year, Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son says.