Chief Representative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam Lotta Sylwander has hailed Vietnam for its successful universalisation of primary education. However, the country’s primary school completion rate is 92%, not quite all yet. The UNICEF representative also said Vietnam needs to improve its education quality and teaching method. A participatory method and dialogue between teachers and students should be encouraged, added LottaSylwander. The challenges of providing quality education services for ethnic minority groups have been a significant barrier to the achievement of the Government’s target. Sylwander said language, school conditions and transportation have led to high school dropout rates among ethnic minority students. The UNICEF representative urged Vietnam to renovate its education system. Vietnamese students need to be equipped with critical thinking skills. When talking about UNICEF’s plans to support Vietnam’s education development goals, the UN official said UNICEF is implementing a bilingual education programme in which ethnic minority children will begin learning in their mother tongues. UNICEF is also assisting Vietnam to develop a child-friendly education environment model. The model encourages Vietnamese students to actively involve themselves in decision making of schools. Students are taught soft skills to deal with life’s problems. UNICEF has also worked with the Vietnamese side to implement initiatives and programmes to help disadvantaged children get access to education, added Sylwander. (vov.vn Dec 21)
