More than 700 educational institutions consolidated

Ho Chi Minh City has reduced the number of public educational institutions by 702 and eliminated 2,745 school management positions as part of a major restructuring of its education system, according to the municipal Department of Education and Training.

Of the affected administrators, 2,462 have been reassigned to teaching positions corresponding to their professional qualifications and educational levels.

The department recently submitted a report to the municipal People's Committee detailing the restructuring of public preschools, general education institutions and continuing education centres.

According to the report, the number of public educational institutions fell from 2,188 to 1,486, a reduction of 702 units, or 32.08%, compared with July 1, 2025.

The restructuring primarily affected institutions managed by ward- and commune-level authorities.

Preschools recorded a reduction of 268 institutions from an initial 706, while primary schools declined by 282 from 790. The number of lower secondary schools fell by 137 from 461.

Meanwhile, the number of combined primary and lower secondary schools increased to 44, allowing institutions to share facilities, improve coordination and strengthen local education management.

Several institutions directly administered by the municipal education department were also reorganised.

Trung Lap High School was transformed into the Cu Chi Sports Talent School, while the Le Thi Hong Gam General Technical Education and Career Guidance Centre became Le Thi Hong Gam Lower and Upper Secondary School.

The city's May 19 Kindergarten was transferred from the department's administration to the Tan Dinh Ward People's Committee.

In vocational and continuing education, the restructuring covered 41 institutions, resulting in a reduction of 15 units, equivalent to 36.59%.

The department has issued decisions to merge or consolidate nine centres under its authority. Proposals involving institutions under the municipal People's Committee's jurisdiction have been submitted for consideration and approval.

More than 2,400 administrators return to teaching

One of the most significant outcomes of the restructuring is the reduction in school management personnel.

The number of administrators declined from 5,874 to 3,129, a decrease of 46.7%.

Of those affected, 2,462 were reassigned to classroom teaching positions.

The education department is continuing to review cases involving administrators who have not yet been assigned new positions, personnel eligible for workforce downsizing policies and redundant employees who cannot currently be accommodated at educational institutions managed by commune-level authorities.

The review also covers potential transfers between schools in different administrative areas and employees seeking reassignment.

Once completed, the findings will be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Training.

The department will continue providing guidance on appointments, personnel assignments and transfers while assessing staffing levels after the reorganised institutions stabilise.

These assessments will also inform teacher and staff recruitment plans for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Authorities inspect schools following mergers

According to the department, all restructured educational institutions have completed the necessary legal procedures, including the appointment of management personnel, registration of official seals and accounts, and staffing arrangements.

The handover of financial resources and assets has reached 90.71%.

During October 2026, the department is conducting inspections of the restructuring process and operations at educational institutions across wards, communes and special administrative zones.

Inspection teams are prioritising localities facing significant difficulties, unresolved issues or high rates of institutional consolidation.

The inspections aim to help local authorities complete the restructuring, address regulatory shortcomings and ensure schools resume stable operations as quickly as possible.

The department is also organising training sessions on school governance and the implementation of policies following the restructuring for administrators at public preschool and general education institutions.

To support the reorganised school network, the municipal education department has proposed that the Ministry of Education and Training promptly issue guidelines on infrastructure standards for school branches and satellite campuses.

It has also called for clearer regulations on job positions, staffing structures by professional title and personnel quotas at educational institutions following consolidation.

Le Huyen