Vietnam Lawmakers Object Government’s Costly Education Reform Project

Vietnam’s lawmakers have raised questions on the feasibility of an education reform project costing roughly VND34.3 trillion ($1.64 billion) in the next decade submitted by the Ministry of Education and Training on the ground that the project is too costly and likely ineffective. The protest was made at a meeting of the National Assembly (NA)’ Standing Committee on April 14 against the ministry’s project on improving textbooks and curriculum by 2023. Phan Xuan Dung, chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for Science and Technology Committee, said at the meeting that the project has yet to show positive impacts on education and training activities. Truong Thi Mai, chairwoman of the NA’s Committee for Social Issues, questioned the source of the investment capital and the contribution of private sector amid the economic slowdown. Similarly, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung expressed doubt about the feasibility of the project due to low capability of teachers and poor school facilities. Prof. Van Nhu Cuong said that it requires only one thousandth of the proposed cost above to compile textbooks from the 1st to 12th classes. Vietnam’s educational programs are theoretical and burdensome for students. As a result, the majority of university graduates need to be retrained at work. While the education reform project is much needed, if it fails to address the weaknesses of the current rote learning system, there will be no big results, local observers said. (Thanh Nien – Young People April 15 p8, Giaoduc.net.vn April 15)