38 teacher training colleges will be abolished

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam currently has 103 teacher training institutions, including 15 pedagogical universities. The schools include 6 pedagogical universities, 6 technical pedagogical universities; 2 universities of physical education and sports and the Central University of Arts Education; 50 multidisciplinary universities and specialized universities (foreign languages, arts, sports) that train teachers; 20 pedagogical colleges and 18 multidisciplinary colleges that train teachers.

The Ministry of Education and Training recognizes that the network of teacher training schools has high coverage, linked to regions and localities, gradually forming a network of multidisciplinary training facilities that train teachers, basically meeting the needs of teacher training from preschool to high school.

However, according to the Ministry, there is an uneven distribution, with a concentration of a number of large pedagogical universities in the country's socio-economic centers. In addition, the role of pedagogical colleges is increasingly fading.

The Ministry of Education and Training also believes that the network of basic teacher training schools meets the needs of teacher training from preschool to high school.

However, most pedagogical institutions are quite independent in training activities, not really forming a unified network, the connectivity in the system is still weak, and there is no sharing of resources to improve the quality and effectiveness of teacher training activities of the whole industry.

On the other hand, the number of teacher training colleges in recent years has decreased partly due to the implementation of Resolution 19-NQ/TU on streamlining focal points and staffing, and the implementation of the 2019 Education Law, which requires the qualifications of primary and secondary school teachers to be raised to university level, so colleges only train preschool teachers.

To make efficient use of resources, some teacher training colleges become branches of teacher training universities or multidisciplinary universities or merge with local colleges.

The Ministry of Education and Training also said that by 2045, the total need to supplement the team of teachers, managers and staff at all levels from preschool to high school will be about 500,000 people.

Thus, each year it is necessary to provide an additional 43,000 teachers, managers and staff at all levels, of which preschool level needs about 16,000 people, primary level needs about 7,000 people, secondary level needs about 7,000 people and high school level needs about 12,000 people.

According to the Ministry, the system of schools and pedagogical faculties currently provides more than 20,000 graduates annually.

With the above-mentioned annual demand for teachers, the training capacity should be focused on multidisciplinary universities that train teachers, including two to three key pedagogical universities and five to six key pedagogical universities that train teachers with enrollment quotas accounting for about 70% of university training quotas for pedagogical majors nationwide.

Will merge 38 pedagogical colleges and multidisciplinary training colleges

According to the draft planning of the network of higher education and pedagogical institutions for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 of the Ministry of Education and Training, the network of teacher training institutions will be arranged in a streamlined manner, defining roles, missions, based on capacity and reputation, meeting the requirements of developing the teaching staff.

By 2030, there will be about 50 higher education institutions nationwide participating in teacher training at all levels. Specifically, 11 higher education institutions will play a core and pivotal role in the network of teacher training institutions in each region and area; focusing on educational science research and high-quality, high-level training with about 50% of the total scale of teacher training nationwide.

About 22 universities (mostly under the provincial People's Committee) provide training to meet the needs of teachers at all levels of the locality and neighboring provinces, accounting for about 44% of the national teacher training scale. About 17 other higher education institutions participate in training some specific teacher training majors, accounting for about 6% of the training scale.

Accordingly, 11 higher education institutions play a key role in teacher training: Hanoi National University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Hue University of Education, University of Education 2, University of Education - Vietnam National University, Hanoi, University of Education - Thai Nguyen University, Vinh University, University of Education - Da Nang University, Quy Nhon University, Tay Nguyen University, Can Tho University.

For teacher training colleges, they will be organized and rearranged according to options such as merging into a number of teacher training colleges or a university that trains teachers in the region or merging into a local university. By 2030, there will be no more teacher training at teacher training colleges and multidisciplinary colleges.