The Prime Minister has instructed local authorities to reorganize public education institutions. Depending on local conditions, the goal is to reduce the number of administrative units by at least 30%, with some localities aiming for reductions of around 50%.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra has signed the Prime Minister's directive on reorganizing public preschools, general education schools, continuing education institutions, and public vocational education institutions at the provincial and commune levels.

Following a directive issued on July 10, the Prime Minister instructed local authorities to review and reorganize public preschools, general education schools, continuing education institutions, and public vocational education institutions within their jurisdictions.

Under the plan, every commune-level administrative unit must have at least one preschool and one general education institution providing both primary and lower secondary education.

The restructuring is to be carried out flexibly and according to a roadmap that reflects local circumstances, with the objective of reducing the number of administrative units by at least 30%. Localities with favorable conditions are expected to reduce the number by around 50% compared with the situation as of July 1, 2025.

The work is scheduled to be completed before August 30, 2026.

The Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Education and Training to coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies and local authorities in reviewing implementation, issuing detailed guidance, and promptly reporting matters beyond its authority.

The ministry is required to submit a report on implementation and results to the Government and the Prime Minister before September 6.

Earlier, the Prime Minister outlined two models for reorganizing public preschools, primary schools, lower secondary schools and upper secondary schools into larger educational institutions.

Model 1: Large single-level schools

Under the first model, a large school serving a single education level - or a continuing education center - would operate a main campus together with satellite campuses and branch campuses.

The staffing structure would include one principal, deputy principals, and a shared administrative unit responsible for accounting, treasury and clerical work. Specialized support staff would continue to provide educational services, while academic departments would be organized according to the needs of satellite and branch campuses to improve professional collaboration and teaching.

Depending on class size, student enrollment and the distance between campuses, each satellite campus may have one deputy principal within the approved staffing allocation to ensure education quality.

Model 2: Large multi-level schools

The second model would establish large schools offering multiple education levels, either on a single campus or across different locations.

Each institution would consist of one main campus together with satellite campuses and branch campuses serving multiple education levels.

The staffing structure would include one principal, deputy principals, a shared administrative unit responsible for accounting, treasury and clerical work, specialized educational support staff, and academic departments organized according to education level and campus location.

Depending on education levels, class size, student enrollment and the distance from the main campus, each satellite campus may also be assigned one deputy principal within the approved staffing allocation.

The Prime Minister stressed that preschools must not be merged with general education schools. General education schools must not be merged with continuing education centers or vocational and continuing education centers. Specialized education institutions must also not be merged with mainstream general education schools.

Priority should instead be given to reorganizing institutions at the same education level or those located close to one another.

For preschools, primary schools and lower secondary schools, restructuring should take place within the same commune-level administrative unit, ensuring that each commune has one preschool, one primary school and one lower secondary school, or one institution providing both primary and lower secondary education.

Tran Thuong