New guidelines on school mergers and staff streamlining
The Ministry of Education and Training requires localities to complete the arrangement and merger of public educational institutions before December 31, 2025 according to Conclusion 221-KL/TW. Provinces and cities must review the network of schools, reorganize the streamlined apparatus, promote the model of inter-level schools, boarding and semi-boarding schools for ethnic minorities; at the same time, ensure learning conditions and safe travel distance for students, especially in disadvantaged areas.
In the new plan, the system of pedagogical colleges will be reduced, keeping only 3-4 schools. Most will be admitted to pedagogical universities, where they continue to receive college-level training in specific majors such as preschool teachers. Minister Nguyen Kim Son proposed to add principles to allow universities to train at college level when necessary.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for streamlining the payroll for the 2026-2031 period according to the organizational arrangement level: the merged central agency reduced the payroll by 15%; the unmerged locality reduced by 5%, the province merged two units reduced by 15%, and the merged locality reduced by 20% or more. In the education sector alone, the staffing of civil servants is kept stable to meet the requirements of implementing Resolution 71. See more...
In 2026, Ho Chi Minh City National University will consider admission using the integrated method
Ho Chi Minh City National University said that it agreed to use an integrated admission method, from 3 groups of criteria: high school graduation exam scores, competency assessment test scores, and academic records. In which, the competency assessment test score is the main one.
The ratio of criteria is determined according to actual data from the last three years to ensure the consistency between input and training quality. Students with outstanding achievements in specialized schools and talents are given priority points.
According to Ho Chi Minh City National University, this method will reduce the number of methods, limit the situation of causing discomfort to candidates and create consistency in input quality assessment. See more...
Expectations for shared textbooks from the 2026 - 2027 school year
Vocational secondary school level is officially determined to be on par with high school
The Law amending the Law on Education was passed by the National Assembly on December 10 and took effect from January 1, 2026, with many major changes such as unifying a shared set of textbooks, abolishing the issuance of junior high school graduation certificates and identifying personnel to support education. Another outstanding new point is the restructuring of the national education system: adding vocational secondary school, leveling with high school and for students who have completed the junior high school program.
Secondary school graduates can choose to study high school academically or study vocational secondary school to develop vocational skills early. Vocational high school students are trained through intermediate, college, and university. The addition of vocational secondary schools helps diversify the learning path, in addition to current options such as continuing education or the 9+ program of vocational schools, where learners can both study culture and intermediate. See more...
