Lao Cai education stable after merger, towards comprehensive development

Stabilize the organization, maintain the scale

From July 1, 2025, according to the administrative organization arrangement policy, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces will merge into the new Lao Cai province. The Department of Education and Training of Lao Cai province was established on the basis of merging the two old Departments of Education and Training. In the context of transition, the education sector has made efforts to stabilize the organizational structure, maintain the operational efficiency of 1,045 educational institutions, with more than 15,300 classrooms and nearly 470,000 students.

Preschooleducation currently has 370 schools (195 schools in the old Lao Cai area, 175 schools in the old Yen Bai area); primary schools have 221 schools; secondary schools have 363 schools; high schools have 68 schools; the regular education system and vocational education maintain 21 units. In addition, the whole province has 3 universities and colleges with nearly 8,200 students.

Ms. Bui Thi Kien Nhan, a teacher at Le Hong Phong High School, shared: “After the merger, my school and many other schools still maintain the same staff, organizational model and activities. The new name of the school has many meanings, hopefully it will be a driving force for the collective to continue to develop.”

The whole industry currently has more than 31,000 officials and employees, of which nearly 26,000 are teachers from preschool to high school and vocational education - continuing education systems.

Students of Le Hong Phong High School in a Physics practice session.

Flexible management, improving teaching quality

In the 2024-2025 school year, although during the merger process, the two old Departments of Education and Training issued many timely directives on implementing the 2018 General Education Program, organizing 5 teaching sessions/week, innovating teaching methods, school management using electronic records system, digital signatures...

Schools are given autonomy in developing educational plans, in line with actual conditions; focusing on shifting from content approach to developing students’ qualities and abilities. The province organized over 8,000 demonstration lessons in the past school year.

The “school helping school” model continues to be replicated, with more than 500 support sessions between facilities regarding programs, textbooks, and personnel. The core team of teachers acts as a professional advisory group, helping schools in disadvantaged areas effectively implement the new program.

The quality of education has improved significantly. 80.19% of 6th graders achieved good performance, an increase of more than 4% compared to the 2021-2022 school year. Over 64% of 10th graders achieved good and excellent performance, an increase of nearly 9% compared to the previous year.

Student Duong Chau Thien Y, class 7B, Ngo Van So Secondary School ( Lao Cai ward) won the Silver Medal at Crescendo 2025.

Towards equitable and inclusive education

In mountainous areas and ethnic minority areas, the education sector continues to maintain and improve the quality of universal education. The two merged areas maintain the standard of universal preschool education for 5-year-old children; universal primary education reaches level 3; secondary education reaches level 2, of which some localities reach level 3.

Inclusive education for people with disabilities is of interest. Last school year, the province had 6 licensed facilities to intervene and support 260 children with disabilities, with the participation of 53 teachers and professional staff.

Continuing education and career guidance activities are emphasized, especially at Continuing Education - Vocational Education centers. Ly Dinh Duy, a student at Lao Cai General Technical - Vocational Guidance and Continuing Education Center, shared: "We both study culture and learn a profession. Teachers always care about our lives, creating great motivation."

However, creative experiential activities, life skills, and career guidance in remote areas still face difficulties due to lack of facilities and human resources. Some integrated subjects such as Natural Sciences at secondary level still lack specialized teachers, affecting teaching arrangements.

Lao Cai candidates take the 2025 high school graduation exam in a relaxed and comfortable mood.

Mark outstanding achievements

In the 2024-2025 school year, Lao Cai students won 71 prizes at the National Excellent Student Competition - the highest ever, including 2 First prizes and many students were selected for the regional and international Olympic teams.

For the first time, Lao Cai student Nguyen Huy Phong won the Bronze Medal at the Asia-Pacific Informatics Olympiad. Many other students achieved excellent results such as Tran Nhu Y (National ASMO and IOE Gold Medal), Nguyen Duc Minh (Piano Gold Medal at the International Music Festival), Ma Thi Hoa Mai (broke the record of the National Phu Dong Sports Festival in the 1500m women's event)...

These results reflect the effectiveness of the work of discovering and nurturing gifted students, and at the same time affirm the right direction of Lao Cai's education sector in innovation and quality improvement.

Lao Cai contestants perform a piano performance with a professional orchestra
at the Crescendo 2025 competition.

Development orientation for the period 2025–2030

Lao Cai education sector has identified major orientations until 2030: continuing to improve the quality of preschool, primary and secondary education; ensuring equity in access to education; firmly maintaining universalization and illiteracy eradication results; enhancing the capacity of teachers and management staff.

In addition, digital transformation in administration and teaching will be promoted; technology will be applied in testing and evaluation; ethics education, life skills, and career guidance will be enhanced in association with local practices.

The combination of modernizing facilities, promoting internal strength of staff and innovating educational content and methods will be the foundation for Lao Cai education to develop sustainably, comprehensively and in accordance with the characteristics of the Northwest highlands.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/giao-duc-lao-cai-on-dinh-sau-sap-nhap-huong-toi-phat-trien-toan-dien-post739371.html