The Ministry of Education and Training has just continued to issue new instructions related to the work of arranging the school network, in the context that many localities are streamlining the apparatus and implementing Resolution 18-NQ/TW.
Previously, the Ministry of Education and Training issued two documents including Official Letter 6165/BGDDT-GDPT in 2025 and 6365/BGDDT-TCCB in 2025 on guidelines for the arrangement of preschool, general education and continuing education institutions.
Recently, the Party Committee of the Ministry of Education and Training continued to issue Official Letter 131-CV/DU in 2025 to the Standing Committees of the Provincial Party Committees of provinces and cities, emphasizing the viewpoint of "maintaining existing schools", including: kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools and inter-level schools. The merger and adjustment must only be done when it is really necessary and must ensure convenience for people and students.
Does not affect the right to study
According to the Ministry's assessment, many localities have implemented the arrangement of schools in a methodical, public and transparent manner. However, there are still places where implementation is rushed, which poses a potential risk of affecting teaching and learning, especially in disadvantaged areas or densely populated urban areas.
Therefore, the Ministry requires localities: Comply with the criteria for school size, class size, teaching staff, staffing quota; Consider facilities, population density, geographical conditions before the merger; Absolutely do not let streamlining affect students' learning rights and educational security.
Some provinces are arranging to reduce nearly 50% of high schools in the area
Through the review, the Ministry of Education and Training said that there were violations of state management of education and training when implementing school arrangement and merger. Some provinces have arranged to reduce nearly 50% of high schools in the province. Regarding this, the Ministry of Education and Training has established an inspection team.
In Official Dispatch 6165/BGDDT GDPT in 2025, the Ministry of Education and Training clearly stated: Only merge schools/school locations within the commune level, prioritize keeping schools with good facilities and convenient transportation; do not merge kindergartens with general schools; each commune must have at least 1 kindergarten, primary school, and secondary school (except in special cases).
The Ministry of Education and Training also noted that localities should reasonably arrange the team of managers, teachers, and staff for educational institutions. The arrangement must be carried out according to the job position plan; ensuring balance between levels of education and types of educational institutions.
The arrangement of schools in the coming time is considered an important step in ensuring the streamlining of the public service apparatus, but the Ministry of Education and Training emphasized that this must be a cautious process, with a roadmap and not causing disruption to students, parents and teachers.
The process of merging schools according to Decree 142/2025/ND-CP
According to Decree 142/2025/ND-CP, effective from July 1, 2025, the process of merging schools is specifically regulated at both primary and secondary levels.
- For primary schools (Article 14, Appendix I):
The application must be sent online, by post or directly to the People's Committee at the commune level.
Within 5 working days, if the dossier is invalid, the receiving agency must notify of the correction.
Within 25 working days from the date of validity of the dossier, the People's Committee at the commune level conducts an appraisal:
If eligible, the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee shall issue a decision to merge and permit operations.
If not enough, respond in writing and state the reason.
The merger decision must be publicly announced in the media.
- For secondary schools (Article 21, Appendix I):
Similar to primary school level, including:
Submit the dossier to the People's Committee at the commune level.
Notify the revisions within a maximum of 5 days if not valid.
Appraise and make a decision within 25 days when the dossier is valid.
The merger decision must also be publicly announced
