HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — This country’s economy has grown exponentially since the 1990’s. Roughly three percent of Vietnamese live in severe poverty, a huge rebound from 50 percent poverty level in 1990’s.
However, such growth also creates a change in demands to meet the needs of an expanding economy.
Education in Vietnam is highly prioritized. Currently, 20 percent of Vietnam’s yearly budget is allocated towards education. In many areas Vietnam’s education system is quite strong. In 2012, Vietnamese students tested higher in math during the Programme for International Student Assessment tests than both U.K. and U.S. students.
Unfortunately, a study conducted earlier this year found over one million Vietnamese registered for unemployment, 20 percent of those unemployed holding a university degree. A gap between skills and qualification has been proposed as the prime reason for high levels of unemployment, leading educators to sense that changes in the current teaching methodology are necessary.
Thanh Ding Vu, the rector at the University of Technology in Ho Chi Minh City, focuses on education in Vietnam moving forward. He would like to see current teaching methods that suit the growth and enterprises within Vietnam. Students in his country tended to test low in soft skills, such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving. These skills are in high demand from employers worldwide. A new curriculum would help children and young adults adapt to new criteria and skills.
The World Bank supports improvement and reform in education in Vietnam and has agreed to fund a loan for the Enhancing Teacher Education Program. During the course of five years, $95 million will be distributed to Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MoET). The leaders at World Bank and the Vietnamese MoET believe the change will begin with teacher training.By strengthening teacher training, they will, in turn, be able to pass on the necessary skills to their students and improve development.
The re-education and continuous professional development will be issued through enhanced customized training in school and an online portal, where teachers will have unlimited access to a resource library, a social community of other teachers and principals, observation of web-based classrooms and a help line.
Achim Fock, the acting country director for the World Bank in Vietnam, confirms that this venture will only strengthen education in Vietnam. They already have a sound framework. The mission from here on is to unify the skills gap between the people and the growing economy, so that Vietnam can continue to prosper.
– Amy Whitman
Photo: Flickr