Clarifying the role of vocational education in student orientation

On the afternoon of September 29, full-time National Assembly deputies discussed the cultural and social fields, including the following draft laws: Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education; Law on Higher Education (amended); Law on Vocational Education (amended); Law on Drug Prevention and Control (amended).

National Assembly delegate of Quang Ninh province Nguyen Thi Thu Ha speaks. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA

Delegates highly appreciated the sense of responsibility of the drafting agency and the reviewing agency, with great determination and efforts in preparing documents for the draft laws, in order to promptly institutionalize the Party's new and breakthrough policies.

Commenting on the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Education , delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (Quang Ninh) pointed out that the draft Law adds "vocational secondary education" to the system; however, the comparative position between vocational secondary school and secondary school is not clear in the National Qualifications Framework.

Delegates suggested that the draft Law should clarify the position of vocational secondary school curriculum in the National Qualifications Framework (for example, identify it as belonging to one of the corresponding levels or being a parallel system with High School). At the same time, add transitional provisions and specific regulations on the recognition of vocational secondary school diplomas as equivalent/different from High School diplomas; assign the Ministry of Education and Training to preside over and coordinate with relevant Ministries and the National Council of the National Qualifications Framework to review and determine the framework technique and level codes.

Regarding textbooks and local educational materials (Article 32), the draft Law stipulates that the State provides a set of textbooks for unified use; transferring the authority to approve local materials to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

Delegates proposed to clearly stipulate the independent and transparent appraisal mechanism: criteria for selecting members of the Appraisal Council, independence criteria, and sanctions against conflicts of interest. The draft law also needs to clearly stipulate the roadmap for free textbooks (if any) and the budget source for implementation. For local documents, it is necessary to clearly stipulate the appraisal procedure, publicize appraisal records and legal responsibilities of the provincial appraisal council.

Regarding the draft Law on Vocational Education (amended), delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Ha suggested that the drafting agency clarify the role of vocational education in the orientation of student streaming after junior high school and high school; clearly distinguish between vocational education and university education in the field of engineering and technology to avoid overlap. According to the delegate, currently, the streaming of students after junior high school and high school is not really effective; many students enter university but have difficulty finding jobs, while businesses lack skilled workers. Emphasizing the role of vocational education in streaming will increase the consistency and feasibility of the Law.

Expressing agreement with the comprehensive amendment of the Law on Higher Education, delegate Bui Thi Quynh Tho (Ha Tinh) said that the draft Law was built concisely, lightly, and focused on the substance; specific issues were assigned to the Government.

National Assembly delegate of Ha Tinh province Bui Thi Quynh Tho speaks. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA

Delegates proposed that the draft Law supplement regulations related to university education planning. Accordingly, there are two types of universities: multi-disciplinary and single-disciplinary; orienting universities according to specialized majors, avoiding widespread training as at present. This regulation helps schools focus on specific fields, promoting their training capacity and strengths.

The delegate also said that it is necessary to clearly distinguish between public and private higher education sectors; thereby determining the State's investment policy for the education sector.

Through discussion, delegates suggested that the drafting agency continue to review to fully institutionalize the Party's viewpoints and policies on innovation and development of education and training, human resources development, science and technology, especially the goals, tasks and solutions stated in Resolution 71 dated August 22, 2025 of the Politburo; focus on innovating educational management thinking, strengthening decentralization, promoting socialization, as well as promoting digital transformation, application and development of science and technology, artificial intelligence in education and training.

Regarding the draft Law on Drug Prevention and Control (amended), delegates suggested continuing to review and fully institutionalize the Party's resolutions and policies on drug prevention and control. At the same time, carefully consider, thoroughly evaluate, and ensure feasibility for the amended contents that have fundamental changes compared to current policies, such as: management of illegal drug users, post-rehabilitation drug addicts, time limits, drug rehabilitation processes, voluntary drug rehabilitation, drug rehabilitation at home and in the community, statistics and management of illegal drug users, drug addicts and post-rehabilitation drug addicts... to ensure compliance with the requirements of improving the effectiveness of drug prevention and control in the new period.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/lam-ro-vai-tro-giao-duc-nghe-nghiep-trong-dinh-huong-phan-luong-hoc-sinh-20250929181531947.htm