Completion of the first cycle of the 2018 curriculum

2024 saw the completion of the first implementation cycle of the 2018 General Education Curriculum across all levels.

This year also marked the final high school graduation exam under the 2006 curriculum, as Vietnam prepares for a reformed exam system starting in 2025.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) announced a new format for the reformed exams, which will focus on assessing students’ competencies rather than solely testing knowledge. These exams will serve three purposes: graduation qualification, evaluation of teaching and learning, and university admissions.

Tuition fee waivers in multiple provinces

During the 2024-2025 academic year, ten provinces and cities, including Da Nang, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai, Binh Duong, and Long An, have implemented policies to waive tuition fees for students from preschool to 12th grade in public schools.

Recently, Ho Chi Minh City also approved tuition waivers for secondary school students, allocating a budget of approximately VND 237 billion (around USD 10 million).

Schools empowered to choose textbooks

As of February 12, 2024, under Circular 27/2023/TT-BGDĐT, schools can independently select textbooks, moving away from reliance on provincial People’s Committees.

This change reverts to the practice in 2020 - the first year the 2018 General Education Program was introduced.

It aims to mitigate issues such as monopolization of textbook choices, lack of transparency, and insufficient consideration of educators’ and parents’ opinions.

The selection process must align with MOET-approved textbooks, including the three sets: Connecting Knowledge with Life, Creative Horizons, and Kite Wings, ensuring compatibility with teaching needs and student characteristics.

Teachers’ base salary increase starting July 1

A notable highlight of 2024 is the increase in the base salary for teachers from VND 1.8 million to VND 2.34 million (approximately USD 95) per month.

This adjustment improves income levels for educators, offering them greater job security.

For example, senior high school teachers classified under civil servant group A2 (level 2) will earn between VND 9.36 million and nearly VND 15 million (USD 380-610) per month.

Primary and preschool teachers, categorized as group B civil servants, will earn between VND 4.35 million and over VND 9.5 million (USD 175-385) per month.

New draft on private tutoring regulations

At the end of August 2024, MOET introduced a draft to replace Circular 17/2012/TT-BGDĐT on private tutoring.

A key provision permits teachers to tutor their own enrolled students, provided they report and commit to non-coercive practices.

This policy has sparked public debate. Some worry it may increase pressure on students to attend tutoring sessions, while others see it as a practical response to real needs.

Elimination of competitive teacher promotion exams

On October 30, 2024, MOET issued Circular 13/2024/TT-BGDĐT, establishing standards and conditions for promoting teachers in public schools and preparatory colleges.

The circular eliminates promotion exams, replacing them with an evaluation process based on work quality and achievement.

Effective December 15, 2024, this regulation aims to enhance the transparency and merit-based promotion of educators.

Draft Teacher Law unveiled

The draft Teacher Law introduces five key policies: teacher identification, professional standards, recruitment and employment regulations, training and benefits, and state management of teachers.

Since its initial presentation in May 2024, MOET has revised the draft five times, removing contentious proposals like tuition waivers for teachers’ children and mandatory teaching licenses.

After deliberations in the National Assembly on November 9, the drafting committee committed to further refining the draft to ensure it aligns with the guidance of General Secretary To Lam: the law should inspire enthusiasm among educators and provide practical benefits to the profession.

Vietnam’s universities rise in international rankings

In 2024, Vietnamese universities continued to climb regional and global rankings.

According to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for 2024, ten Vietnamese institutions were featured, up from eight in the previous year.

Notably, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, ranked 325th globally (up 456 places), 51st in Asia, and first in Vietnam.

Additionally, 17 Vietnamese universities appeared in the QS Asia Rankings (four in the top 200), and nine universities were included in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings (four in the top 1,000).

These achievements reflect the growing international recognition of Vietnam’s higher education sector.

Hoang Linh