Vietnam Ministry of Education proposes major changes to specialized high school admissions

The Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is considering a draft circular to overhaul the organization and operation of specialized high schools. A key proposal involves shifting from admissions based on individual subjects to a system based on three broad groups: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Foreign Languages. This change is intended to foster comprehensive education and early career orientation rather than premature specialization.

Under the proposed model, students would enter a specialized group and then select specific in-depth subjects after the first semester of grade 10. The implementation timeline is flexible, with eligible schools potentially starting in the 2027-2028 academic year, while others may follow in 2028-2029.

In a separate educational initiative, MOET has issued Circular 94 to implement the project of making English a second language in schools. This project, approved by the Prime Minister, aims to expand English usage beyond language classes into management and general communication. Schools will self-assess their implementation progress across three distinct levels based on specific criteria for different educational sectors.