In terms of human resources and governance, the draft outlines a policy in which local education departments (DOETs) would appoint school leaders and directly manage teachers and staff at kindergartens and general education institutions. Provincial Directors of Education would be empowered with staffing authority, while the MOET Minister would define the qualification criteria for these directors.

The draft also introduces special workforce policies, such as preferential allowances for teachers and flexible recruitment and remuneration models to attract high-quality talent. A co-ownership model is also proposed to optimize workforce utilization, aiming to develop a sufficient, structurally balanced, and internationally qualified education management and teaching team.

Overhaul of curriculum and learning validation systems

In curriculum and content reform, the resolution allows the government to make major policy decisions and revamp education programs. It also introduces mechanisms to place training orders with businesses and establish credit and skill recognition systems, supporting lifelong learning and inter-institutional transferability.

The MOET Minister would submit annual reports to the government, lead reforms in early childhood education, authorize pilot models of innovative learning, and oversee the Skills Council and flexible, labor-market-aligned university programs.

The Minister would also be responsible for issuing a unified national textbook series and revising its content to match evolving real-world needs. Additionally, the government would detail special education policies in fields like performing arts, elite sports, and journalism. These would include talent-based admissions, unique professional standards, prioritized funding, and performance-based incentives.

Promoting international integration

The policy proposes a five-year visa and work permit exemption for foreign experts and PhD holders involved in university and vocational education management, teaching, or research in Vietnam.

To encourage international collaboration, the draft supports partnerships between Vietnamese universities and top 500 global institutions to establish joint campuses in Vietnam via public-private partnerships (PPP). It also proposes allowing international students in Vietnam to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week.

Budget commitment and financial reforms

The resolution mandates that the national education budget must account for at least 20% of total government expenditure, with 5% specifically allocated for infrastructure development and a minimum of 3% for higher education.

Early childhood and general education, especially in disadvantaged regions, will be prioritized for budget allocation, while still ensuring investment in higher education and vocational training to support a high-quality workforce.

A special financial mechanism is proposed to implement compulsory lower secondary education by 2030 and universal upper secondary education by 2035. Additional funding would support specialized institutions in science, technology, and innovation-focused education.

The resolution also calls for free textbooks nationwide by 2030 and exemption of fees for national defense and security education subjects. Outstanding land, tax, and infrastructure incentives would be granted, along with medium-term public investment authority delegated to the directors of Vietnam National Universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Tien Phong