ADB, Vietnam to Improve Skills, Close Labour Gaps with Better Education

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing US$90 million in fresh funds to help Vietnam strengthen teaching skills and courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and social sciences, to ensure upper secondary graduates have the skills to meet the country’s labour needs.

 

The Upper Secondary Education Development Project focuses on improving teaching standards by introducing international standards, new training methods and providing new training materials; upgrading curricula, including investing in textbooks; and providing targeted support for students who are struggling academically. It builds on earlier ADB assistance to improve the sector.

 

The project will open up opportunities for teachers to receive training abroad; improve English-language education; build laboratory equipment and teaching aids for physics, chemistry and biology; and develop classrooms and materials for students with disabilities. Targeted assistance for ethnic minority students will be provided. The project will also examine the feasibility of allowing private educators to have an increased role in the state sector through public private partnerships.

 

The project will run for about seven years, with an expected completion date of December 2019.