Top 49 Most Popular Education News Today

On December 2nd, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training provided guidelines for in-person learning as the city announced its plan for reopening schools. High schools will operate according to the city's COVID-19 risk level, while other schools will follow the risk levels of District 2 or various districts and towns.

In green zones (level 1), schools are allowed to conduct in-person classes with a maximum of 30 lessons per week for secondary schools.

In yellow zones (level 2), in-person classes are also allowed, but the number of lessons per week varies by grade level.

In orange zones (level 3), a hybrid model of in-person, online, and televised lessons will be implemented.

In red zones (level 4), all levels will switch to online learning, televised classes, and assignments for students to self-study.

On December 2nd, the An My Ward People's Committee (Tam Ky, Quang Nam) announced that they had issued an administrative fine to Mr. H.N.T. (33 years old, residing in My Dong, An My Ward) for beating his own son.

It is reported that Mr. T., while teaching his son, H.N.N. (a student in grade 1/5 at Kim Dong Primary School), became frustrated because the boy was slower than his peers in learning. He was also reportedly punished for taking money from a classmate. As a result, the child sustained numerous bruises on his back, stomach, chest, buttocks, and legs.

The ward has required Mr. H.N.T. to sign a commitment to stop his violent behavior. The police, in coordination with the school, will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the father does not repeat such actions.

On December 2nd, the An Giang Department of Education and Training announced the suspension of online learning for students in Grades 6 to 11 across the province from December 6th to December 11th.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Education sector has had to adopt various teaching methods to complete the academic program as planned since the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

In addition, the Education sector has worked closely with the Health sector to implement various COVID-19 prevention measures, including vaccination campaigns for teachers and students aged 12 to 18 to ensure safety when schools resume in-person classes.

On the morning of December 2nd, 2021, Gia Dinh University revealed its admissions plan for 2022. The university announced it will offer three methods for selecting students for 19 different academic programs. Specifically:

• Admission based on the results of the 2022 National High School Graduation Exam.
• Admission based on high school academic records (transcripts). Applicants must have a cumulative average of at least 16.5 points for the regular program and 18 points or more for the talent program, based on the first and second semesters of grade 11 and the first semester of grade 12.
• Admission based on the results of the 2022 Competency Assessment Test organized by the University of Danang, with a minimum score of 600 for the regular program and 700 for the talent program.

On the morning of December 2nd, the Ministry of Education and Training held a seminar on the "Model of Behavior Culture in Schools," which saw the participation of many experts, scientists, and representatives from educational institutions nationwide.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training, Ms. Ngo Thi Minh, stated during the seminar: "School culture is a critical environment for shaping character and educating the younger generation to become well-rounded individuals with strong morals, intellect, physical health, and aesthetics. They should foster patriotism, national pride, and high awareness and responsibility towards their country, family, and themselves."

Building a strong school culture is considered essential for all educational institutions today. It represents the interactive environment between teachers and students, among teachers themselves, and between students. One of the most significant aspects of a school's culture is the behavioral etiquette practiced within the institution.

In connection with the incident where a teacher at Cao Lanh City High School leaked a sensitive video during an online class, the deputy principal of the school has been disciplined with a formal warning.

On December 1st, the Department of Education and Training of Dong Thap Province confirmed that Mr. V.Q. C., Deputy Principal of Cao Lanh City High School, was reprimanded for sending a sensitive video to colleagues.

School officials stated that Mr. V.Q. C. had violated ethical guidelines and standards for behavior within educational institutions. His actions were deemed inappropriate for his role as a school leader and Party Committee Secretary, tarnishing the reputation of educators and the credibility of the institution and sector.

On December 1st, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City announced that the city’s People's Committee has issued a plan for students to return to in-person learning at educational institutions across the city. Specifically, in-person classes will be piloted starting December 13th for students in grades 1, 9, and 12, lasting for two weeks.

To prepare for the pilot program, schools will hold meetings with parents, implement plans, and address coordination issues before December 5th. Additionally, staff and teachers will undergo training on health and safety protocols in the new context on December 8th, followed by safety guidance for students returning to school on December 10th.

On December 1st, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City announced the transfer, appointment, and reappointment of civil servants and management staff at its affiliated units.

As part of this restructuring, Mr. Ho Tan Minh, previously the Deputy Chief of Office at the department, was promoted to the position of Chief of Office. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Minh served as the Deputy Head of the Secondary Education Department.

Additionally, the Department appointed Ms. Bui Hong Dung to the position of Deputy Head of the Non-public Education Management Division.

Starting December 1st, nearly 550 students of Kien Giang University have resumed attending classes in person according to the schedule.

On this date, nearly 550 students returned to campus after an extended period of online learning at home. In order to participate in on-site learning, all faculty, staff, and students were required to have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for more than 14 days, or to have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 6 months. Strict adherence to safety measures (5K) was enforced, and classrooms were thoroughly cleaned after each session.

Professor Nguyễn Thị Doan has been re-elected as the President of the Vietnam Study Encouragement Association for the 2021-2026 term.

On December 1st, the Vietnam Study Encouragement Association held its 6th National Congress and celebrated its 25th anniversary (1996 - 2021).

Founded on October 2nd, 1996, the association initially elected People's Teacher Nguyễn Lân as its first president and honored General Võ Nguyên Giáp as its first honorary president.

On December 1st, Mr. Trần Nguyễn Minh Thành, Deputy Director of Da Nang's Department of Education and Training, shared with reporters that a new Covid-19 case had been detected at Trần Phú High School, involving a female foreign language teacher. According to Mr. Thành, through health declarations, some teachers had close contact with the affected individual, and all students from the four classes she taught were sent home for health monitoring.

It is known that three days earlier, on November 29th, students at high schools in Da Nang had returned to in-person classes after receiving their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

On December 1, 2021, Mr. Lê Quân, Director of Hanoi National University, signed a decision to establish two new universities: the International University and the University of Business Administration. These were previously the International Faculty & Business Administration Faculty which have now been upgraded.

The International University is named VNU - International School (VNU - IS) and the University of Business Administration is named VNU - Hanoi School of Business and Management (VNU - HSB).

With these additions, Hanoi National University now includes 8 member universities (under decisions from the Prime Minister), 2 universities (under decisions from the University's Director), 2 faculties, 7 research institutes, 2 training and research centers, and 16 service units.

On December 1, 2021, Mr. Tạ Việt Hùng, Deputy Secretary of the Hiệp Hòa District Party Committee in Bac Giang, was appointed as the new Director of the Department of Education and Training, starting from this date.

On November 30, the Bac Giang Provincial People's Committee held a meeting to announce the appointment of new officials. The Provincial Chairman, Lê Ánh Dương, attended the event and congratulated the newly appointed officials.

According to Decision No. 2428/QĐ-UBND issued on November 28, 2021, Mr. Tạ Việt Hùng, former Deputy Secretary of Hiệp Hòa District Party Committee, has been appointed as the Director of the Department of Education and Training for a term of 5 years starting from December 1, 2021.

Mr. Tạ Việt Hùng, born in 1971 in Thanh Vân, Hiệp Hòa, holds a Master’s degree in Education Management and is a senior political theory graduate.

On the afternoon of November 30, 2021, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phái, Deputy Director of the Bac Giang Department of Education and Training, confirmed that the students of Xương Giang and Lê Quý Đôn Middle Schools had completed their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Earlier, on November 29, 2021, the Bac Giang Covid-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee issued an official notice (Document No. 112) about the vaccination plan for November 30 to December 5, 2021.

The goal was to administer the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to students aged 12-14 at local middle schools, totaling 8,152 students.

The Bac Giang Covid-19 Steering Committee required thorough health screenings for all students, and preparation of medical supplies and emergency equipment to ensure prompt first aid in case of any incidents during vaccination.

On November 30, 2021, the High-Tech Park Training Center in Ho Chi Minh City officially launched the Vietnam-Korea Training Cooperation Center (VKTCC) through both in-person and online formats.

The VKTCC is recognized as a training model aimed at developing and providing high-quality workforce in high-tech fields, in line with South Korean standards. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the High-Tech Park Training Center, the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Industrial Support Development (CSID), and both Vietnamese and Korean businesses.

On November 30, 2021, the Department of Health in Binh Phuoc confirmed the death of a 12-year-old boy from Dong Phu district, who passed away after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

"The boy's death following the vaccination is confirmed. However, it's still unclear whether the death was caused by the vaccine. Binh Phuoc is forming a specialized council, and a meeting will be held tomorrow to determine the cause of this tragic incident," said a representative from the Health Department.

The Chairman of Dong Phu District People's Committee also confirmed that on the afternoon of November 29, 2021, the 12-year-old boy from Tan Loi Ward went to a vaccination site to get vaccinated. After receiving the shot, the boy displayed abnormal symptoms and was rushed to the hospital on the morning of November 30, where he later passed away.

On November 30, 2021, the Department of Education and Training of Nghe An Province successfully held the opening ceremony for the 2021 Provincial Kindergarten Teacher Competition.

The event, held once every four years, brought together 334 contestants representing over 15,000 kindergarten teachers across the province.

To participate, teachers must have been recognized as excellent teachers at the local level, meet professional standards at the 'good' level or higher, and have at least one year of experience as an outstanding teacher at the district level within the past two years. Additionally, participants must have good ethical qualities.

This competition serves as an opportunity for the education sector to assess the competencies of teachers, select promising future leaders, and provide a platform for teachers to exchange experiences and share knowledge with colleagues from various regions of the province.

On the afternoon of November 29, 2021, Mr. Cao Văn Rôi, Director of the Department of Education and Training in Tiên Lãng District (Hai Phong), announced that starting from November 30, nearly 35,000 students in Tiên Lãng would be temporarily suspended from school. Kindergarten students will stay at home, while students at all levels will switch to online learning. Many schools had already made the decision to close their doors to students from November 29 to ensure the safety and effectiveness of pandemic control measures.

Previously, from November 24, students at six schools in Tiên Minh and Toàn Thắng (Tiên Lãng District) had also been instructed to halt in-person classes, with elementary and secondary students transitioning to online learning.

It is reported that Tiên Lãng District has successfully administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 101,729 out of 106,694 people (reaching 95.3%); and 75,960 out of 106,694 people have received both doses (71.2%). A total of 11,243 children aged 12-17 out of 11,961 have been vaccinated with the first dose.

On November 29, 2021, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) awarded the title of “WIPO Young Ambassador for Intellectual Property” to three young inventors from Vietnam.

During a diplomatic visit to Switzerland, three exceptional Vietnamese students received this honor for their invention of the “Mobile Isolation Helmet.”

The ceremony took place on November 29, 2021 (Swiss time, which was the afternoon of the same day in Vietnam) at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The WIPO Young Ambassador for Intellectual Property award, presented in 2021, is the first such honor for technology inventors from the Asia-Pacific region.

Since November 23, 2021, Hanoi has begun vaccinating children aged 15-17, primarily high school students, with over 90% of them already vaccinated.

On the afternoon of November 29, 2021, in an interview with reporters, Mr. Dinh Tien Dung, Politburo member, Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee, and head of the city’s National Assembly delegation, shared that the city’s Party Standing Committee has agreed on an urgent plan to reopen high schools for in-person learning as soon as possible. The next step is to implement plans for middle school students to return safely and promptly.

Mr. Dung also emphasized the importance of students maintaining vigilance and following health protocols to ensure the successful resumption of physical classes without affecting their academic progress. He encouraged parents and teachers to actively support and remind students to stay safe. He expressed confidence that with collective responsibility and awareness, reopening schools will be a success in the near future.

A video surfaced on social media showing an 11th-grade student from Lộc Thành High School (Bảo Lâm, Lam Dong) being attacked by a group of six individuals while she was on her way to school to get vaccinated for Covid-19.

The incident took place on November 26, 2021, at the parking area near Lộc Thành High School, where a vaccination drive was being held for students. The victim, L.T.M.T, was physically assaulted by six other girls who punched, kicked, and struck her head. The attack stopped only when someone intervened.

On the afternoon of November 29, 2021, the school's principal, Mr. Võ Nhật Trí, confirmed to the media that the school is working closely with the police to investigate the incident. It was revealed that none of the assailants were students of the school. The victim was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, and the school has been offering support to her and her family. The investigation is ongoing.

As of November 29, 2021, the Department of Health announced that all districts, towns, and cities within Ho Chi Minh City had largely completed administering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to students aged 12-17, along with additional first doses for those who missed the initial round.

Plans are also underway to pilot the return of grade 9 and 12 students to in-person classes starting mid-December. These two grade levels, which have received full vaccination, are considered the final year groups and are noted for their strong commitment to safety protocols.

On November 28, 2021, Da Nang University sent an official notice to its member universities regarding the resumption of in-person classes for students, following the current regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control.

For member universities that plan to hold in-person classes before the Lunar New Year, such as the University of Danang - University of Science and Technology, the University of Pedagogy, and the University of Technical Pedagogy, students, including those from other provinces, will attend for practical sessions, experiments, and projects.

Meanwhile, the Faculty of Medicine and the Vietnam – UK Institute are allowed to bring students back for theoretical lessons in small groups, with strict adherence to COVID-19 safety measures.

On November 28, 2021, the closing ceremony and awards of the 27th National Youth Informatics Competition were successfully held online. This competition is organized by the Central Youth Union, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Television, and the Vietnam Informatics Association.

After the provincial-level qualifying rounds and preliminary stage, the organizers selected 895 outstanding candidates, including 725 students from 32 provincial teams and 170 independent participants, to proceed to the regional rounds.

The organizers also held orientation sessions, provided materials, set up trial exams, and answered candidates’ questions. These efforts helped participants familiarize themselves with the new competition format and perform at their best.

After competing against thousands of other candidates, 150 finalists emerged. The First Prize was awarded to: Nguyễn Gia Khánh (Hanoi), Phạm Công Minh (Hanoi), Hoàng Xuân Bách (Hanoi), Nguyễn Khánh Phúc (Ninh Bình), and the team of Nguyễn Phú Bình and Vòng Vĩnh Toàn (Bình Dương).

On November 28, 2021, teachers from Vinh Loc High School (Binh Tan, Ho Chi Minh City) submitted a complaint against Principal Nguyen Thi Nha Trang for several alleged administrative and educational management violations.

Previously, Mrs. Trang was accused of deducting points from teachers' performance evaluations for not 'liking' posts in a Zalo group chat, along with other alleged violations related to performance assessments.

Furthermore, she faced accusations of financial mismanagement. Specifically, it was claimed that she used funds from the parent association to purchase school equipment in violation of Ministry of Education and Training regulations.

Teachers reported that the principal did not maintain clear or transparent financial records, failing to specify how funds were distributed across various departments.

On November 28, 2021, Quang Binh initiated its vaccination campaign, administering the COVID-19 vaccine to more than 1,200 students at Vo Nguyen Giap High School. This marked the first step in the province's larger effort to vaccinate children aged 12-17 against COVID-19.

The health department of Quang Binh has begun vaccinating students across the entire province, with the goal of vaccinating over 90% of children aged 12-17, which totals more than 80,000 students.

In preparation for the campaign, the health department worked closely with the Departments of Education and Training, and Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs to compile a list of all children, including those who are not attending school or are receiving treatment in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, to ensure that the vaccination plan was comprehensive and inclusive.

On the afternoon of November 28, 2021, the Department of Education and Training in Thanh Hoa province held a conference to introduce the COVID-19 vaccination plan for high school and continuing education center students. The conference was streamed online to all high schools across the province.

As per the plan, starting from November 29, 2021, Thanh Hoa will begin administering 117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine to students aged 15-17. To ensure safety during the vaccination process, officials from the Department of Education and Training shared additional details about the rollout at the meeting. Health experts also provided crucial guidance on the vaccination procedure, safety measures, and how schools can prepare to ensure a smooth and secure vaccination process for all students.

The Director of the Department of Education and Training urged teachers, parents, and students to work together to ensure the vaccination campaign is executed safely, effectively, and uniformly.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Bá Minh, Director of the Department of Early Childhood Education at the Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam's early childhood education program has undergone significant changes since 2020.

On November 27, 2021, the Flanders Development and Technical Assistance Organization from Belgium (VVOB) hosted a workshop titled "From Observing Children Through Processes to Removing Barriers to Learning: Approaches Offering Opportunities for Comprehensive Child Development". The event aimed to share experiences and outcomes from the 5-year project 'Reducing Barriers to Early Childhood Learning in Ethnically Diverse and Disadvantaged Areas' (BAMI).

From 2017 to 2021, the BAMI project achieved remarkable results, bringing about meaningful changes for management personnel and teachers in early childhood education, especially in areas with ethnic minorities. The project trained nearly 3,000 preschool teachers and 500 management staff across 18 districts in provinces such as Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, and Kon Tum. Approximately 43,000 preschool children from 196 schools (64% from ethnic minorities) were introduced to development-focused educational methods, advancing the child-centered approach and enhancing the quality of preschool education in the region.

On November 27, 2021, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and University of Finance and Marketing announced the Tet holiday schedule for students for the Lunar New Year 2022.

According to the announcement, students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry will have their Tet break starting from Monday, January 24, 2022, until Sunday, February 13, 2022 (from the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month until the 13th day of the 1st lunar month). Students will return to classes from February 14, 2022, according to the regular timetable.

Meanwhile, students at the University of Finance and Marketing will have their Tet break from January 24, 2022, to February 6, 2022 (from the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month to the 6th day of the 1st lunar month). Students will resume classes on February 7, 2022, following the regular schedule.

Starting from November 27, 2021, the health sector of Thua Thien Hue province has begun administering COVID-19 vaccines to high school students.

According to the province's Department of Health, nearly 41,000 Pfizer vaccine doses have been received from the Ministry of Health to meet the vaccination needs of children aged 12 to 17. The vaccination campaign will be rolled out from the older to younger age groups.

The targeted group includes all high school students as well as seventh, eighth, and ninth graders at junior high schools. Students who are not attending school will receive their shots at local health stations.

For children with underlying health conditions or those undergoing inpatient treatment, if the medical facility is certified to administer vaccines, they will receive their vaccinations at the healthcare facility where they are being treated.

On November 27, 2021, Mr. Tran Van Tan, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam Province, signed a decision to assign the task of inspecting all tenders related to the education program for mountainous and ethnic minority areas during the 2016-2020 period. These tenders are part of Program 775, managed by the Department of Education and Training.

Additionally, the Quang Nam Inspectorate will review the conclusions of the Nam Giang District People's Committee regarding the management and use of funds for repairs, renovations of classrooms, and the purchase of teaching equipment in 2019-2020.

The authorities in Quang Nam have instructed the Department of Education and Training, Nam Giang District People's Committee, and other related districts to closely cooperate with the provincial inspectorate and the provincial financial department to provide necessary documents for the review and inspection process.

After receiving nearly 100,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12-17 from the Ministry of Health, Nghe An province began its vaccination campaign, starting with high school students in grade 12 and gradually moving down to younger grades.

On November 27, 2021, Nghe An officially started vaccinating children aged 12-17. According to statistics, the province has 313,472 children in this age group. Healthcare staff will check students' body temperature and ensure they follow safety protocols during the vaccination process.

On the afternoon of November 26, 2021, the award ceremony for the "Student and Student Entrepreneurship Ideas in Vocational Education" Startup 2021 competition was successfully held by the General Department of Vocational Education, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, and the United Nations Population Fund.

The final round took place over two days, from November 25-26, with 67 participating teams presenting ideas in various fields including tourism, business, agriculture, and engineering. The organizing committee awarded 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 3 third prizes, 29 encouragement prizes, and 1 favorite team award to this year’s participants.

The first prize went to the “Smart Cane” project—an assistive device for elderly and disabled individuals from Vietnam-Germany College in Nghe An. The prize was worth 20 million VND. The Smart Cane features sensors and GPS for easy monitoring and assistance by family members, and also includes an LED light to aid in movement.

On the evening of November 26, 2021, during the "People Ask - City Answers" session, focusing on "Preparations for Students’ Return to School and COVID-19 Prevention Measures," the Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training stated that the departments of Education and Health have collaborated to create the safest plans for students’ return to in-person classes.

As part of these preparations, students from grades 1, 2, 6, 9, and 12 at Thanh An Primary and Secondary School in Can Gio District began attending classes in person in October. The results have been promising, particularly in terms of effective COVID-19 prevention. The city has gathered valuable insights to refine its plans for other students returning to school in the near future.

On November 26, 2021, in Binh Son District, BIDV Dung Quat Bank, in collaboration with the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Quang Ngai, donated 30 tablets to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The total value of the gift from BIDV Dung Quat amounted to 180 million VND, aimed at supporting students from Binh Son and Son Tinh who could not afford electronic devices to participate in online learning.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front of Quang Ngai awarded a certificate of appreciation to BIDV Dung Quat for its outstanding contributions to social welfare activities in Quang Ngai in 2021.

On November 26, 2021, Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of Ha Giang's People's Committee, issued a directive on organizing educational activities after the pandemic break.

The province assigned the Department of Education and local authorities to assess the COVID-19 situation in each area and decide whether schools should resume or remain closed. This policy will be effective starting November 29, 2021.

In areas classified as level 1 or 2, in-person classes will resume. For areas classified as level 3, a hybrid of in-person and other teaching methods will be used, with priority given to in-person classes for grades 1, 2, 6, 9, and 12. In areas classified as level 4, in-person teaching will not be allowed, and online classes will be conducted to ensure the safety of students.

Before resuming in-person classes, schools are required to clean and disinfect the premises thoroughly and prepare medical supplies in accordance with health and safety protocols.

On November 26, 2021, the Long An Youth Union, in collaboration with generous donors, presented the Sharing The Dream 2021 scholarships to 50 high school students across the province.

Mr. Võ Quốc Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Long An Youth Union, shared that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, making education even more challenging.

These scholarships provide significant encouragement, helping students to continue chasing their dreams. Each scholarship is worth 4 million VND, assisting students in overcoming their immediate challenges and boosting their academic determination.

On November 25, 2021, the General Department of Vocational Education under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund and funded by the Japanese Government, officially launched the 'Startup Kite 2021' competition for vocational students and youth.

This annual competition aims to encourage entrepreneurship and self-employment among students nationwide, stimulate creativity, and inspire young people to venture into business. It also seeks to connect high-quality projects with potential investors.

The final round, held on November 25-26, saw 67 teams from various fields such as business, tourism, agriculture, technology, commerce, food processing, and mechanical engineering. The award ceremony and closing event will take place in Hanoi on the afternoon of November 26.

As of November 25, 2021, after nearly a year of operation, the K12 online system has created accounts for approximately 400,000 teachers and 3.4 million students, reaching a total of 100 million visits.

The complex development of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past several months has had a significant impact on global education, including in Vietnam. Schools were forced to close, posing an urgent challenge for leadership in finding ways to ensure that students' learning and examinations could continue as planned. In response, many educational institutions turned to Viettel’s comprehensive system, equipped with a variety of smart features, to manage online teaching and exams.

A recent video showing a mathematics teacher from an elementary school in Chengdu (China) slapping a student two years ago has sparked strong condemnation from the Chinese online community.

After the video surfaced, on November 15, 2021, the teacher involved reached out to the victim's family, claiming her intent was to discipline the child, not to apologize. Following this, the Jin Tang Education Department confirmed the incident and stated that both the teacher, Ms. Chen, and members of the school administration would face strict disciplinary action.

It is reported that Ms. Chen later visited the victim’s home to apologize. However, due to the severity of her misconduct, she was dismissed from her position, and the school principal was demoted. The Education Department has stated it will conduct a thorough review of teacher conduct and ethics to prevent such incidents in the future.

The University of Pedagogy and Technology in Ho Chi Minh City recently passed a resolution to discipline Mr. Le Hieu Giang, the university's vice president, for violations identified in the Ministry of Education and Training's conclusion No. 611/KL-BGDĐT dated June 25.

Specifically, Mr. Giang, who was assigned responsibility for the university’s training department, failed to ensure that students enrolled in advanced training programs and master’s degree courses, which had no legal foundation, were not awarded credits or degrees in violation of regulations.

Additionally, the university’s disciplinary council decided to issue a warning to Mr. Do Van Dung, the former university president, and dismissed Mr. Phan Duc Hung, the deputy head of the training department. Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, the former head of the department, received a reprimand. Ms. Truong Thi Hien, the former deputy president and chief accountant, had her disciplinary case dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Earlier, in June, the Ministry of Education and Training identified several financial mismanagement issues at the university in violation of legal regulations.

On November 25, 2021, several suggestions were made for Hanoi to remove the fourth subject from the 10th grade entrance exam.

Since the beginning of the new school year, only 9th grade students in 18 suburban districts and towns have been allowed to return to in-person classes. Ba Vi district was the first to reopen schools. However, students have only attended in-person classes for just over two weeks, with schools being limited to teaching one session per day. Many students in other districts are still learning online, and no date has been set for their return to school.

The 10th grade entrance exam in Hanoi is known for being extremely stressful, with only about 62% of students gaining admission to public schools. To stay competitive in the exam, many students start attending extra classes in subjects like Mathematics, Literature, and English as early as 8th grade. By 9th grade, students are required to prepare for the fourth subject, which could include History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Civic Education, but the fourth subject has not yet been announced.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, Principal of Mai Dinh Secondary School in Soc Son district, Hanoi, expressed concern about the quality of this year’s 9th graders, who have been heavily impacted by the pandemic over the past three years, with extensive periods of online learning. According to her, online classes cannot compare to in-person education. With the fourth subject still not disclosed, students are burdened with the task of studying and revising all subjects at once. Ms. Lan suggests that the fourth subject should be canceled to ease the pressure on students, or that the subject should be announced soon, allowing students to plan their revision accordingly, rather than waiting until March next year.

Ms. Pham Thi Huong Giang, Principal of Nguyen Tri Phuong Secondary School in Ba Dinh district, Hanoi, believes that with the current state of the pandemic, students may not be able to return to school until late in the first semester. She recommended that the Hanoi Department of Education and Training cancel the fourth subject or even consider having only two subjects—Mathematics and Literature—for the 10th grade entrance exam.

On November 24, 2021, the VinGroup Innovation Fund (VinIF) awarded 300 scholarships, totaling 40 billion VND, to outstanding graduate students and PhD candidates across 13 fields. This marks the third consecutive year VinGroup has funded Master's and PhD scholarships within Vietnam, aiming to enhance the country's pool of high-quality scientific talent.

This year, the organizing committee received a record 626 applications from top candidates nationwide. After passing through three selection rounds, 300 exemplary candidates—comprising 150 Master's students and 150 PhD candidates—across diverse fields ranging from Economics and Education to Science and Technology were awarded the scholarships. These individuals are exceptional young scientists with a combined total of 748 international publications, 1,322 research works, 17 national-level research awards, and 57 academic honors. Notably, among the recipients are 12 university valedictorians, 11 candidates who advanced directly from undergraduate to PhD programs, and 20% of PhD candidates who received their Master's degrees abroad.

Supported by VinIF and VinBigdata, these students will receive scholarships worth 150 million VND per year for PhD programs and 120 million VND per year for Master's programs. The total funding from VinIF for this year's scholarship recipients is 40 billion VND.

On November 24, 2021, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training submitted a proposal for a new policy aimed at enhancing preschool education in areas with industrial zones. The draft resolution was sent to the HCMC People's Committee for review. This policy will impact three key groups:

• Group 1: Independent private preschools located in industrial zones that are legally established, with at least 30% of their students being children of workers in these zones.
• Group 2: Children enrolled in private or independent preschools where at least one parent or guardian is employed in an industrial zone under a formal contract.
• Group 3: Preschool educators working in these private or independent institutions.

The proposal includes a one-time support program for qualifying independent preschools, providing funding to enhance their facilities, including the purchase of educational materials, toys, and other teaching equipment as specified by the Ministry of Education and Training. The average support amount is 34.7 million VND per preschool.

The funding will be provided from the state budget, based on current financial regulations. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance has confirmed that the proposed funding level is appropriate after consultations with relevant departments.

On November 25, 2021, the An Giang Department of Education and Training announced a temporary break from online classes for all primary school teachers and students. The decision affects online teaching via television, with classes suspended from November 29 to December 5. On December 6, teaching will resume according to the regular schedule for the 10th week of classes.

During this break, both teachers and students are required to follow COVID-19 preventive measures as recommended by health authorities.

This action aims to safeguard the health of teachers and students while reducing the stress and pressure after 9 consecutive weeks of online learning. The An Giang Department of Education and Training emphasized that given the ongoing complexities of the pandemic, online and television-based learning remain the most effective solution.

As of the morning of November 25, 2021, 28 provinces and cities across Vietnam have started vaccinating children aged 12 to 17, with some regions already administering the second dose.

On November 23, Hanoi began vaccinating children aged 15 to 17. The vaccination campaign follows a phased approach, gradually expanding to younger age groups and targeting specific schools. The city plans to administer 304,140 doses of the Pfizer-produced Comirnaty vaccine and expects to complete the process by November 25. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has also announced that plans for the return of students to in-person classes will be made in early December, with high schools possibly resuming face-to-face teaching within the month.

On October 27, Ho Chi Minh City began vaccinating students in Cu Chi District, marking the first region in Vietnam to vaccinate children under 18. During the first phase, over 673,000 children received their first vaccine dose. The city began administering second doses on November 22.

Currently, 28 provinces and cities are vaccinating secondary school students, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ninh Thuan, Hai Duong, Can Tho, Ha Nam, Binh Phuoc, Long An, Bac Lieu, Tien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Dong Thap, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, An Giang, Dong Nai, Lao Cai, Tay Ninh, Ca Mau, Hau Giang, Lang Son, Vinh Long, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Dien Bien, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Binh Duong, and Ninh Binh.

According to the Ministry of Health, over 2 million children in these 28 provinces and cities have received their first dose, with nearly 6,000 children fully vaccinated with two doses. The vaccination coverage for at least one dose stands at over 22% of the population aged 12-17.

On December 2, the Hanoi People's Committee officially approved the plan by the Department of Education and Training, allowing all high school students in the city to return to school starting from December 6.

The plan will be implemented in areas with a level 1 or 2 COVID-19 alert, where there have been no community cases of the virus for the past 14 days, as of November 30.

Previously, on November 29, Hanoi Party Secretary Mr. Dinh Tiến Dũng announced that the Standing Committee of the City Party had reviewed the report and agreed to reopen schools. Accordingly, students in grades 10, 11, and 12, as well as vocational and continuing education centers, will be the next group to return to in-person classes, following grade 9 students in suburban areas.

This decision was made carefully based on the level of the pandemic, student vaccination rates, and the experiences from the reopening of educational institutions. Since November 23, Hanoi has been vaccinating children aged 15-17, mostly high school students. The vaccination coverage now exceeds 90%.

On the afternoon of December 2, the principal of Cam Lộ High School in Quảng Trị, Mr. Trần Công Sơn, announced that the school is working with the local police to investigate an incident where a male student was assaulted after leaving school.

According to the school's leadership, the student left at 2:35 p.m. on December 1 for a faculty meeting. At 3:40 p.m., the school was notified of an assault near the Cam Lộ Children's House, located 1.3 kilometers from the school.

Upon receiving the information, the school immediately sent staff to the scene and confirmed that the student assaulted was Đ.N.L., a 10th grader at Cam Lộ High School, residing in Tân Định, Cam Thành, Cam Lộ.

L. sustained a wound on his back near his left shoulder, along with injuries to his hands and eyes. The school promptly took L. to the Cam Lộ District Health Center for treatment and informed his family and homeroom teacher.

The local police are currently investigating the incident.

On the afternoon of December 2, during an expanded meeting of the City Party Committee, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Nên, the Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City's Party Committee, emphasized the importance of maintaining the quality of education and training.

Mr. Nên suggested that the city should pilot in-person classes for Grade 9 and 12 students under the 'new normal' conditions. Initially, the city had considered bringing back other grades, but after consulting with families, many parents expressed concerns, especially with the continuing emergence of new COVID-19 variants. As a result, the city has decided not to allow younger grades to return to school for in-person lessons yet.