Free tuition for poor children and a community college system patterned after the North American model could help further educational advancement in the Mekong Delta, speakers at a recent conference said.
With the future of the Mekong Delta resting on the education of its youth and workforce, the need is great for new solutions to some of the region’s problems.
Taking part in the two-day conference held in Long Xuyen City of An Giang province on June 19 were leaders of Delta provinces and the Southwest Region Directorate, which is in charge of steering the development of the Mekong Delta.
Also in attendance were the deputy ministers of the ministries of Industry and Trade, Education and Training; and Labour and War Invalids and Social Affairs.
University professors, business executives, local governmental officials and educational experts considered several initiatives, some of which were presented at a subsequent leaders’ meeting, and will later be sent to the Prime Minister for consideration.
Among the proposals, provincial authorities called for new manpower strategies over the next 10 years, the upgrading of Can Tho and An Giang universities and higher state budget allocations to the Delta in proportion to its shares of 22 percent of the national population.
Provinces also plan to work with national ministries to implement a regulation on mandatory certification of workers at local factories.
In addition, a manpower development fund plans to raise money from local enterprises as well as international organisations and donors, while tax and land-use incentives will be given to investment projects in educational and vocational training.
Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Thanh Tai, deputy chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said the Delta had the highest school drop-out rate and the lowest graduation rate among 20 to 24-year-olds, even though it is rich in natural resources and has economic potential.
Investment in training, infrastructure and poverty alleviation were the keys to improving the Delta’s educational level.
Nguyen Cam Tu, deputy minister of Industry and Trade, said one of the biggest hurdles to modernisation of the region was poor training, resulting in an unqualified and inadequate workforce.
Vuong Binh Thanh, deputy chairman of An Giang People’s Committee, blamed the high unemployment rate in the Delta on insufficient education and training.
Many officials said the area should create a system modeled after North American community colleges, which are open to students of all levels and do not have stringent entrance exams.
“These kinds of schools are more suitable for our condition,” said Dr Pham Phu, adviser to HCM City Polytechnic College , pointing to the region’s 36 percent rate of workers without a primary school education.
“We don’t have to pursue an international level university. That’s unrealistic and unnecessary,” he said.
Conferees also agreed to hold Mekong Delta Days and the International Agricultural Products Fair next year in HCM City and launch a new monthly publication, Mekong Delta Today, to be offered in English and Vietnamese.
