The Ministry of Education and Training has just issued Official Dispatch No. 4054/BGDĐT-GDPT guiding the promotion of arranging the network of public preschool, general and continuing education institutions in accordance with the two-level local government model. In addition to the goal of streamlining management focal points, the document also clearly stipulates cases where mergers are not allowed to ensure professional requirements, students' learning rights and the stability of the education system.
No merging kindergartens with general schools
According to the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Training, the arrangement of the network of educational institutions must comply with professional and educational science principles, suitable to the psychological and physiological characteristics of each age group and each level of education.
Therefore, do not merge kindergartens with general schools. This is a principle to ensure an educational environment suitable for young children, while maintaining the stability of care, nurturing and preschool education.
No merging of general schools with continuing education centers
The Ministry of Education and Training also requests not to merge general schools with continuing education centers or vocational education - continuing education centers.
According to the Ministry, each type of educational institution has different functions, tasks, training programs and learners. Maintaining the independence of these types is to ensure training quality and management efficiency.
No merging specialized schools with general education schools
Another notable principle requested by the Ministry of Education and Training is not to arrange specialized educational institutions with mass general schools.
This regulation aims to ensure learning conditions, professional support and a suitable educational environment for groups of students with specific educational needs.
Prioritize arranging schools at the same level, close to each other
The Ministry of Education and Training affirmed that the arrangement of the network of educational institutions is not aimed at reducing focal points at all costs but towards restructuring the school system in a scientific direction, suitable to the reality of each locality, improving the quality of education and ensuring the learning rights of learners.
Instead of mechanical merger, the Ministry of Education and Training requires prioritizing the reorganization of educational institutions at the same level of education or with close geographical locations. The arrangement must be linked to population size, population distribution, student travel conditions and the ability to effectively exploit facilities and teaching staff.
In particular, the official dispatch of the Ministry of Education and Training emphasizes the view of not allowing students to go to school far away due to school arrangement; taking learners as the center in the process of arranging the school network.
Accordingly, localities must ensure the right to education of students, not to create geographical barriers or increase school costs, and at the same time not to let the arrangement affect the work of mobilizing students to go to class and maintain the results of universal education.
Notably, the Ministry of Education and Training requires each commune-level administrative unit to have at least one kindergarten and one general school, and absolutely not to let students not go to school due to difficult circumstances.
