Hanoi (VNA) - Over the past decade, the percentage of permanent classrooms in Vietnam has increased by more than 20%. However, significant resources from both the government and society are still needed to achieve the goal of eliminating temporary classrooms by 2030.
As of 2023, Vietnam has nearly 628,600 classrooms, with 86.6% meeting sturdy construction standards, a more than 20% increase from 2013. This information was stated by the Ministry of Education and Training at a conference on October 25.
Minister Nguyen Kim Son stated that comprehensive solutions are needed because the Politburo's Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW calls for "100% of classrooms to be constructed to permanent standards by 2030". The Government plays a central role, but mobilizing social resources is also crucial.
The Minister highlighted that most temporary classrooms are in mountainous, ethnic minority, and disadvantaged areas, such as the Northwest, Central Highlands, and the Mekong Delta. In some provinces, the percentage of non-permanent classrooms in preschool and primary education exceeds 40%, including regions such as Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Cao Bang, and Lai Chau provinces.
“Temporary classrooms in preschool and primary education is the most common. The youngest students need to be prioritized to ensure they study in safe and proper buildings with basic amenities. The goal of creating proper schools and classrooms must be pursued more urgently,” emphasized Minister Nguyen Kim Son.
As of 2023, the rate of permanent classrooms reached 83% in preschools, 83.2% in primary schools, and 94.9% in lower secondary schools. This marks a significant improvement from 2013, when these figures were 47.7%, 61.6%, and 80.5%, respectively. These improvements have created better conditions for both teachers and students, thanks to strong government investment and support from businesses, organizations, and individuals through social mobilisation.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long praised the education sector’s achievements in constructing permanent schools and teacher housing. He stressed that continued collaboration and additional social resources are needed to achieve the target of permanent infrastructure for all schools and teacher accommodations.
Minister Nguyen Kim Son emphasized the need for more investment to eliminate temporary classrooms. He mentioned that while substantial progress has been made, much work remains, especially in poorer regions where the challenges are more significant. In addition to State funding, mobilizing social resources is essential to meet the goal of permanent classrooms by 2030.
Minister Nguyen Kim Son also noted that the development of education infrastructure should reflect the country’s commitment to education. “A nation that values education must show it through well-built schools with the necessary facilities for both teachers and students,” he stated.
Son hopes that the conference will increase public awareness of the need for permanent school construction, leading to more focused efforts from all sectors, with more organizations and individuals contributing to the development of education./.
