Gov't targets to gradually make English second language at schools by 2030

 A plan for international cooperation in the field of education and training until 2030 in order to improve the quality of workforce for socio-economic development was approved under  Prime Ministerial Decision No. 1600/QD-TTg, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long on December 19.

The Government News quoted the plan as reporting that at least 10 cities will join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities from currently five cities (Ho Chi Minh City, Son La city of Son La province, Sa Dec city and Cao Lanh city of Dong Thap province, and Vinh city of Nghe An province).

The plan also aims to integrate foreign curricula into preschools and general education establishments in five more cities and provinces.

The Government plans to improve the quality of foreign languages training and promote international cooperation in teaching and learning foreign languages, especially English and gradually make English the second language at schools.

The Government targets to raise the rate of Vietnamese universities' training programs meeting accreditation standards of prestigious foreign accreditation organizations.

The Government will strive to attract additional two more branches of prestigious foreign tertiary institutions in Vietnam.

Vietnam will proactively expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation in education and training, with priority given to neighboring countries and countries with advanced education, strategic partners, comprehensive partners, traditional friends.

The country will also promote cooperation between Vietnam's tertiary education establishments and foreign partners for mutual recognition of learning processes; strengthen the exchange of students and lecturers; and lure international lecturers and students to teach and study in Vietnam.

The Government encourages domestic tertiary establishments to upgrade their science journals to meet international standards and to increase the rate of lecturers publishing scientific articles in prestigious international journals.

The Government will also increase the scale of overseas training using state budget for lecturers in key science fields, encourage learning and doing scientific research abroad.

The Government will create conditions for foreign higher education institutions to open branches in Vietnam.