Significant stride toward inclusivity, equal opportunity for all children

UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam Silvia Danailov made that above statement in her recent interview with the press.

According to Danailov, the exemption of tuition for all public school pupils is a landmark advancement in Viet Nam's education system.

UNICEF warmly congratulates Viet Nam on this achievement, which aligns with its international commitments including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and Sustainable Development Goals, she emphasized.

This tuition fees approach is a vital investment in Viet Nam's future, enabling more children to complete a full education cycle, irrespective of their socioeconomic background. It's a key policy during this era of transformative national growth, added the UNICEF Representative.

"Given the national scope of this new decision, we anticipate a profound influence on upper secondary enrolment rates, particularly among ethnic minorities and children with disabilities, where the rates are as low as 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively", told Danailov.

While this policy is very much welcome, it is essential to maintain focus on educational quality. Fee-free education must still guarantee high-quality teaching and learning experiences, she noted.

"To maximise the impact, we need to ensure that every child not only attends school but also enjoys a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment. Increased enrolment requires adequate resources like qualified teachers, facilities, and learning materials. We must also consider other costs, such as learning materials, uniforms, and transportation, that may still pose challenges, particularly for vulnerable families", stated the UNICEF Representative.

Expanding access to upper secondary education by increasing the number of public schools and strengthening investment in community-based education, including strengthening satellite schools for primary-level education, will help improve completion rates as well as support students' transition to higher education or employment, highlighted Danailov.

She emphasized the importance of equity and inclusion, ensuring that children with disabilities and ethnic minority students receive the necessary support to fully participate and benefit from education.

Sustained investment and strong collaboration among all stakeholders, including the government, development partners, and communities will be key to building an inclusive, high-quality education system for all, reiterated the UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam.

UNICEF stands ready to support Viet Nam in realising this vision by enhancing teacher and education manager capacity, promoting digital learning opportunities including innovative use of technology like AI to support teachers, and advancing inclusive education policies to ensure no child is left behind, she added.

"Looking ahead, UNICEF encourages all stakeholders—government agencies, development partners, businesses, and local communities—to continue investing in education. By working together, we can ensure that every child in Viet Nam has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed, building a brighter future for all", shared Danailov./.