Although still a poor country with low per capita
income and years in war, Vietnam has unceasingly recorded its great achievements in
education.
In 1997, there were 22 million pupils all over
the country. Among them, 13.2 million in primary schools (accounting for 58%), 4.3 million
in secondary schools, and 26,000 in colleges and universities.
The literacy rate in Vietnam was high (92% of the
population). 8% was illiteracy, among them 80% living in remote areas and 60%
female.
State budget assigned for education was
considerably increased in the last 2 years, taking about 10% of the total, in which 70% -
80% were used for paying salary to teachers. Budget share for education is projected to
reach 15% by the year 2000.
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A bilingual class |
The private sector took bout 40% of total direct
expenses, of which the larget part was spent for the kindergarten and education basis
(about 60%). The basic expenditure for primary schools took about 50%, specialised
secondary school about 19% and professional and vocational about 12% of the total
expenses.
Besides having trained qualified and skilled
workers, the Vietnamese education also has produced world-wide well-known scientists such
as Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Mr. Tran Dai Nghia, Mr. Ton That Tung etc... The communist party
and Vietnamese government always attaches great attention to education. In the resolution
of the Second session of Central Committee of VIIIth Congress, the Communist Party of
Vietnam regarded education and development of science and technics and technology as an
important strategy of the country.
Despite of these archievements, the Vietnamese
Education System is still facing many difficulties. Many schools and equipped teaching
materials not timely updated, teachers have not been qualified as required, and
millions of children are still out of school. What must give special attention to, is the
education and training policy.
The National Assembly has passed the Law on
Primary Education Proliferation since 12 August 1991.
The 2th session of VIIIth Congress of the Central
Executive Committee of the Communist Party held in December, 1996 issued resolution on
"Orientation and tasks for Education Development strategy in the Industrialization
and Modernization process toward the year 2000".
The Education Law adopted by the National
Assembly in April 1997 carrying the following major contents:
- To restructure the National Education System and the National
Certificates System. To consolidate public schools, encourage setting up new semi-public,
private schools; allow to open private kindergartens, professional secondary schools and
universities as well. To diversify forms of education like full-time, part-time, regular
and irregular as well as remote education.
- To redefine training and education targets, to re-construct
teaching programs, teaching plans as well as the contents and methods suitable for each
level and branch to meet the needs of the country's development. especially those of
industrialization and modernization process and educational management workers.
- To strengthen legal system in education. Gradually increase budget
for education, to mobilise possible from the people, to attract international aid and
loans for the sake of education development.
- To improve the quality of teachers.
- To renovate Educational Management.
2. International Cooperation in
Education:
Vietnamese Government puts priority for
cooperation in the following fields:
- Developing the human resources, concentrating on training
qualified and skilled workers, especially, for the fields that utilize advance technology,
and for business administration.
- Promoting branches and subjects essential for the modernization
and industrialization process and for implementation of international cooperation.
- Training and recycle training and managerial educational workers,
exchange of students, information as well as experience in science and education.
II. The Education and training development
policy
