Vietnam has announced top-ten education events for this year, of which the increase of university tuition to VND240,000 (US$13) a month and the A/H1N1 flu spread to schools are two of the most outstanding issues.
1. University tuition fee is raised to VND240,000 per month
On August 21 the Prime Minister raised university tuitions from VND180,000 to VND240,000 a month. Tuition hikes have brought new worries to students burdened with higher daily expenses, room rents and other study costs. Many question if higher tuitions mean higher quality in education.
2. Many schools become hospitals to fight A/H1N1 flu
On July 19, 2009, Ngo Thoi Nhiem High School in HCM City became the first school in Vietnam to serve as a hospital to fight swine flu. Other schools followed, becoming makeshift hospitals with physicians, ambulances and medical equipment.
3. The MOET drafts for education development in 2009-2020
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) announced plans for education development in 2009-2020, but it was not welcomed. Many believe that the ministry needs to devise a more scientific and feasible strategy.
4. The future of multiple university entrance exams undecided
The MOET tried multiple times to end university entrance exams and organize a single test for both high schools and universities, but the public has not supported the measure.
5. Schools try to renovate teaching and learning methods
Many schools have sought to improve teaching and learning methods to replace older approaches that have been criticized as “out of date and ineffective.”
6. Too many school fees frighten students’ parents
Education inspection tours discovered that schools collected too many fees and burdening parents and students. The MOET instructed local education departments to examine university fee collection and impose heavy punishments on schools that collect fees in excess of the levels stipulated by MOET.
7. Many universities unable to meet basic requirements
In 2009, the MOET discovered a lot of non-state universities that cannot meet requirements on land, permanent and visiting lecturers and curricula to organize classes. MOET also admitted its shortcomings in higher education management.
8. School morality emerged as a burning problem
People have demanded the reorganization of morality instruction for students, after many cases of students assaulted teachers after receiving low grades.
9. Short skirts banned
On October 5, 2009, the MOET revised school uniform regulations to explicitly stipulate that students must wear skirts that reach knee-level. The requirement has not pleased many students, who believe that this regulation is too rigid.
10. Vietnam honors outstanding young doctors
2009 is the year of success for many young Vietnamese doctors. Dr Bui The Duy, Dean of the Information Technology of the Hanoi University of Technology at Hanoi National University, was granted the title of associate professor on November 20, 2009, becoming the youngest associate professor at age 31.
Dr Nguyen Hoang Long, 26, has become the first Vietnamese lecturer at Oxford University.
The Time announced its top ten list for 2009, which includes Professor Ngo Bao Chau’s solution of the “fundamental lemma.” (VietNamNet)
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