The central and Central Highlands region is paying heed to the building of national-standard schools with nearly 1,840 reported to meet national standards in 2013, a rise of 199 schools against the previous year.

This was heard at a January 3 meeting in Buon Ma Thuot city of Dak Lak province with the attendance of educationalists from the Departments of Education and Training of Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Quang Nam , Kon Tum, Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Dak Nong, Binh Dinh, Lam Dong and the host.

The region injected nearly one trillion VND (47 million USD) into building, upgrading and purchasing teaching aids in 2013. It has over 2,758,000 pupils attending more than 6,230 schools in the 2013-2014 academic year.

Many localities such as Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong have bettered the work of universalising education.

Experts suggested intensifying investment in infrastructure and teaching aids, especially for local nurseries, aiming to help disadvantaged districts ensure the progress of universal education for five-year-old children.

They also appealed to reduce or subsidise tuitions fees for underprivileged students and additional preferential policies for voluntary officers and teachers working in ethnic minority areas.

Participants also called for investment and provision of specialised learning equipment for children with disabilities.-VNA