Children, pupils and students of nine ethnic minorities in six provinces of Vietnam will receive assistance for better education environment under a 2010-2015 project recently approved by the government chief. The move is part of the government’s effort to ensure social welfare and narrow the gap of development among ethnic groups, the Vietnamese Government said on its website Nov 24. The beneficiaries include three-to-five-year-old children, pupils and students of nine ethnic minorities (O ?u, Pu Peo, Si La, Ro Mam, Cong, Brau, Bo Y, Mang, and Co Lao) in four northern provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, the central province of Nghe An and the central highlands province of Kon Tum. Under the project, they will receive educational pension equivalent to 30%-100% of the minimum salary per individual each month. The project targets to universalize junior secondary education for children of these ethnic groups by 2015. After finishing senior secondary education, 95% of graduates will be enrolled in pre-university courses, universities, colleges and vocational training establishments. (www.chinhphu.vn [1] Nov 24)
