The Ministry of Education and Training is seeking public feedback on a draft resolution to reform Vietnam’s preschool education curriculum. The proposed changes aim to improve the quality and effectiveness of early childhood education by 2030, with a long-term vision extending to 2045.
The reform focuses on modernizing the preschool curriculum using a competency-based approach. It emphasizes holistic child development, including physical health, emotional well-being, intelligence, language skills, and aesthetics. The goal is to prepare children for first grade while fostering core Vietnamese values and laying a strong foundation for personality development.
Key Reforms Proposed
The ministry has outlined four major reforms:
Competency-Based Approach: Prioritizing social-emotional development.
Rights-Based Approach: Ensuring quality, equity, inclusion, fairness, and respect for individual differences.
Greater Autonomy: Allowing educational institutions and teachers more flexibility in designing curricula.
Regulations on Daily Activities: Aligning activities with children’s developmental needs while ensuring fair working conditions for preschool educators under the Labour Law.
The revised curriculum will retain core principles of the current program, such as a child-centered approach, active learning, and communication skills development. It will also integrate modern educational methods, personalized learning experiences, and increased involvement of families and communities in early childhood education.
Implementation Plan
The reform will be rolled out in two phases:
Phase 1 (2025–2028):
- Preschool managers and teachers will receive training.
- The new curriculum will be piloted in selected preschools over three academic years, starting in autumn 2025 and ending in spring 2028.
- An independent evaluation of the pilot program will be conducted.
Phase 2 (2029–2030):
- The curriculum will be finalized and officially approved.
- Nationwide implementation will begin in the 2029–2030 academic year.
Budget Allocation
The total estimated budget for the reform is VNĐ140 billion (US$5.5 million), allocated as follows:
Piloting and Implementation: VNĐ75 billion.
Curriculum Development and Review: VNĐ20 billion.
Instructional Materials: VNĐ15 billion.
Training for Managers and Teachers: VNĐ30 billion.
Additional funding for staff salaries, professional development, and infrastructure improvements will be covered under separate programs, including the Preschool and General Education Infrastructure Enhancement Programme through 2030.
Next Steps
The draft resolution is expected to be submitted to the 15th National Assembly for discussion and approval in October 2025. If approved, it will be enacted following a single-session review process.
This ambitious reform aims to transform Vietnam’s preschool education system, ensuring it meets the needs of children and aligns with global educational standards.
