Careful, methodical, and decisive in arranging university and vocational education facilities

On the afternoon of October 5, discussing at the regular Government Press Conference in September 2025 on the policy of rearranging, structuring, merging, and dissolving higher education institutions and vocational education institutions as affirmed by the Politburo in Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Le Tan Dung said that this is a major policy of the Party, which must be implemented seriously, urgently, scientifically, and resolutely.

Báo Tin Tức•05/10/2025

Photo caption — Deputy Minister of Education and Training Le Tan Dung informs about the orientation of merging and rearranging universities - Photo: VGP

"This arrangement will affect the thoughts and feelings of many people. When doing it, we must be very careful, but at the same time, it must be scientific, methodical and decisive. The Ministry of Education and Training clearly defines its responsibilities. This cannot be done by the Ministry alone, but must have the cooperation, coordination and consensus of central ministries, branches, localities, especially universities and vocational training institutions nationwide," the Deputy Minister emphasized.

According to him, the Ministry of Education and Training was assigned to develop two projects on the arrangement and reorganization of higher education and vocational education institutions and a project to transfer a number of higher education and vocational education institutions to local management. In the near future, the Ministry will submit these projects to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision and will implement them in 2026.

Avoid the "ask - give" situation

To solve the problem of training linked to practice, the practical requirements of society and the labor market, the Ministry of Education and Training determined that the upcoming project will be based on the following bases: viewpoints and resolutions of the Party, the National Assembly and the Government; The strategy for developing higher education and vocational education approved by the Prime Minister; The approved network planning of higher education and vocational education institutions; the socio -economic development goals of the country and of the regions, linked to security and defense. Thus, the set goals require training to be linked to development goals, linked to employment and the market.

“From international experience and practical conditions in our country, the project also clearly defines the mission of higher education and vocational training institutions, specific and clear principles and criteria, so that the implementation process ensures publicity and transparency, avoiding negative situations of "asking - giving", taking advantage, "running around", and corruption. These cases will not happen,” according to Deputy Minister Le Tan Dung.

He also said that the project will be consulted by the Ministry of Education and Training with central and local ministries, branches, experts, especially educational institutions, in order to create high consensus in the implementation process. When the project is issued, "everyone will be convinced and work together to implement it, without any more problems or hesitations". At the same time, when the project is approved by competent authorities, the content will be made public for implementation. The Ministry of Education and Training will provide full information to media and press agencies.

Deputy Minister Le Tan Dung also added that recently, some news sites have been spreading untrue information that was not provided by the Ministry of Education and Training. He requested that organizations and individuals not share unverified and unofficial information.

Correcting overcharging

Regarding the press's content about the situation of overcharging in educational institutions, Deputy Minister Le Tan Dung said that recently, the Ministry of Education and Training and local authorities have issued many documents to rectify this situation. For the 2025-2026 school year, the Ministry of Education and Training issued Document 5542 dated September 12, 2025 to ministries, branches, localities, and educational institutions on the implementation of tuition policy, tuition exemption and reduction, and other fees in the education and training sector.

He proposed 9 groups of long-term and short-term solutions to rectify the situation of overcharging. Firstly, the Ministry has issued a document requesting all levels and sectors to strictly implement education policies as well as regulations on tuition fees, exemptions and support for tuition fees in accordance with Decree 238/ND-CP of the Government .

Second, the regulations on service fees to support educational and training activities must be decided by competent authorities. It is strictly forbidden for all educational institutions to set up fees that are contrary to the regulations of competent authorities.

Third, the mobilization, management and use of resources must comply with the regulations of competent authorities.

Fourth, strictly implement regulations on posting and publicizing information on prices of educational materials, equipment, and textbooks in the area, ensuring publicity and transparency.

Fifth, through monitoring in localities, the Ministry of Education and Training has found that many localities have directed educational institutions in the area to comply with the list issued by the People's Council. Schools are absolutely not allowed to combine many fees, and not collect fees in advance for many periods. They are not allowed to take advantage of the name of the Parents' Representative Board to collect fees in violation of regulations.

Another series of solutions mentioned by Deputy Minister Le Tan Dung is that the Ministry of Education and Training will continue to review the system of legal documents to make adjustments and supplements to ensure the rights of learners, especially students and their parents; continue to strengthen inspection and supervision work, and when detected, will be strictly handled according to the provisions of the law.

The Deputy Minister of Education and Training recommended that the agencies of the National Assembly and the National Assembly Standing Committee regularly monitor this matter at both the central and local levels; and requested that local Party committees and authorities regularly inspect and direct the correction of overcharging at local educational and training establishments.