Vietnam's education sector marked 2024 as a pivotal year, reflecting significant achievements alongside notable challenges faced over the past decade. After ten years of implementing Resolution 29, the Ministry of Education and Training revealed ten key accomplishments, highlighting the government’s commitment to reforming education and training.
On December 27, the Ministry showcased its apt progress, stating, "After 10 years of implementing Resolution 29, our education and training sector has achieved significant results." The year 2024 is particularly important as it follows the Political Bureau's issuance of Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW on August 10, emphasizing the need to intensify the goals set forth by Resolution 29.
Among legislative advances, the introduction of the Teacher Law was presented to the National Assembly. Minister Nguyễn Kim Sơn stated, "The new Teacher Law received strong support from National Assembly deputies," during discussions about policies aimed at fostering educator development. This marks nearly 20 years of advocacy for changes to laws aiding teacher conditions and enhancing professional standards.
Significantly, 2024 represented the completion of the first phase of the 2018 national education curriculum's rollout across all educational levels. The curriculum's holistic design is pivotal for ensuring consistency and quality; textbooks for grades 1 to 12 have now been approved as the Ministry of Education prepares for the transition to new graduation examinations beginning in 2025.
Highlighting Vietnam's academic prowess, 2024 also noted advancements in the rankings of the country’s higher education institutions on regional and international platforms. Ten Vietnamese universities made their debut on the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2025, two more than the previous year. Specifically, the National University of Hanoi soared to 325th place globally, up 456 spots from previous rankings.
Equally impressive, Vietnamese students garnered accolades at international Olympiads, with seven delegations achieving remarkable results. They returned home with medallions: 12 gold, 15 silver, 10 bronze, and one commendation, demonstrating the effectiveness of Vietnam’s focus on nurturing talented youth.
Despite these successes, the education sector grapples with pressing issues. A persisting teacher shortage was highlighted, with over 113,000 positions unfilled nationwide. Ministerial reports indicate this gap is primarily due to low enrollment attraction to the teaching profession and teachers leaving the field. "We must prioritize teacher salaries to be the highest within the administrative pay scale," stated the Political Bureau’s Resolution 91, pointing to necessary reforms.
The physical infrastructure supporting schooling also remains insufficient. Reports indicate around 15.5% of classrooms are yet to be properly constructed, leading to inadequate learning conditions, especially in remote areas. The Ministry of Education is tasked with rectifying these infrastructural issues, striving for improved conditions.
Another nagging challenge is the incidence of school violence, which continues to stress students and parents alike. Although the Ministry has yet to publish specific statistics for 2024, previous events have highlighted the gravity of the situation, including incidents of bullying leading to severe injuries.
Natural disasters compound these difficulties. The aftermath of typhoon Yagi, which struck northern provinces, led to devastating losses, including fatalities among students and teachers, alongside extensive property damage approaching VND 1,260 billion. The Ministry’s swift response aimed to stabilize education amid these calamities, highlighting the resilience of the sector under duress.
Consequently, 2024 was also marked by significant achievements at the national level, including the Southeast Asian Student Sports Festival, which attracted thousands of participants. This event not only celebrated athletic talent but also promoted regional camaraderie among youth.
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