Resolution of the Politburo on education and training: The third "breakthrough"

To overcome weaknesses in education and training, the Politburo has proposed many policies, including strong institutional innovation, creating special and outstanding mechanisms and policies for education and training development.

Students review for the 10th grade entrance exam. (Photo: Thanh Tung/VNA)

It can be said that Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthrough in education and training development is the fifth pillar to bring our nation into a new era, creating a tripod for the rapid and sustainable development of the country together with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthrough in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation and Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation.

On behalf of the Politburo, on August 22, 2025, General Secretary To Lam signed and issued Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in education and training development.

Resolution No. 71 must be placed in the context of the Politburo's previous Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW (dated December 22, 2024) on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation and Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW (dated January 24, 2025) on international integration in the new situation to better understand our Party's innovation strategy on the threshold of the new era.

All three Resolutions are groundbreaking in spirit.

Resolution 59 is considered a breakthrough decision, marking a historic turning point in the country's international integration process, identifying integration as a strategic driving force for Vietnam to firmly enter a new era.

Resolution 57 and Resolution 71 have the word "breakthrough" in their names - breakthrough in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation and breakthrough in education and training development. All three Resolutions require innovation in thinking first and foremost.

Resolution 57 identifies the need to innovate the thinking of building laws to ensure management requirements and encourage innovation, eliminating the mindset of "if you can't manage it, then ban it." Awareness of many levels, sectors, cadres, civil servants and people about digital transformation is not complete and profound; research, application of science, technology, innovation have not made breakthroughs, and have not mastered strategic and core technologies.

Resolution 71 emphasizes that a breakthrough in education and training development must start from innovation in thinking, awareness and institutions. Create a breakthrough in resources, motivation and new space for education and training development, improve quality; ensure the State plays a leading role, taking public investment as the lead, attracting social resources for comprehensive modernization of the national education system.

Regarding “what needs to be done immediately” in international integration in the new period, General Secretary To Lam requested that new thinking, awareness and actions in international integration must be thoroughly understood and put into practice. Awareness of proactive, active international integration in a synchronous, comprehensive, deep and effective manner is a major strategic orientation of the Party.

Candidates review for the exam. (Source: VNA)

The specific goals set by our Party's leaders in Resolution 57 and Resolution 71 are closely related to each other and have a mutual relationship with the goals of Resolution 59.

Resolution 57: Vision to 2045, science, technology, innovation and digital transformation will develop steadily, contributing to making Vietnam a developed country with high income. Vietnam has a digital economy scale reaching at least 50% of GDP; is one of the digital technology industry centers of the region and the world; is among the top 30 countries in the world in innovation and digital transformation. There will be at least 10 digital technology enterprises on par with advanced countries.

Resolution 71: Vision by 2045, Vietnam will have a modern, equitable and high-quality national education system, ranked among the top 20 countries in the world. High-quality human resources, scientific and technological talents will become the driving force and core competitive advantage of the country, contributing to making Vietnam a developed, high-income country. Strive for at least 5 higher education institutions to be among the top 100 universities in the world in a number of fields according to prestigious international rankings.

Successfully realizing Resolution 57 and Resolution 71 will inevitably create favorable conditions to achieve the goals set out in Resolution 59: deep international integration in science, technology and innovation, education and training, etc. Improving the quality, efficiency, synchronization and comprehensiveness of international integration, making the most of external resources and favorable conditions to build an independent, autonomous, self-reliant, self-reliant, fast-growing and sustainable economy.

Increase investment level

Resolution 71 frankly acknowledges the weaknesses of the education and training sector in recent times: it has not really become a key driving force for the country's breakthrough development. Access to education is still low compared to developed countries; there are large differences between regions and target groups. The teaching staff, facilities, and schools in many places do not meet requirements. The university and vocational education systems are fragmented and backward.

One of the reasons leading to the above situation is that investment resources for education are still low, and the regime and policies for teachers are still inadequate.

To overcome weaknesses in the education and training sector, the Politburo has proposed many policies, including strong institutional innovation, creating special and outstanding mechanisms and policies for education and training development.

The new highlight in Resolution 71 is to focus on solving the investment issue - "only with reality can we uphold morality": state budget expenditure for education and training must reach at least 20% of total state budget expenditure, in which investment expenditure allocation must reach at least 5% of total state budget expenditure and expenditure for higher education must reach at least 3% of total state budget expenditure; priority is given to investment in higher education.

Candidates take an exam. (Photo: Thu Hoai/VNA)

Specifically, focus on perfecting legal regulations to promptly remove bottlenecks and bottlenecks in institutions, mechanisms and policies; improve the quality and effectiveness of law making and enforcement; promote innovation and create development in education and training.

There are special and outstanding preferential policies for teachers; increase vocational allowances for preschool and general education institutions to at least 70% for teachers, at least 30% for staff, and 100% for teachers in particularly difficult areas, border areas, islands, and ethnic minority areas.

Ensure full and comprehensive autonomy for higher education institutions and vocational education institutions regardless of the level of financial autonomy.

Fundamentally innovate financial mechanisms and policies and investment in education and training.

Expand financial support policies and preferential credit for learners, not allowing any students to drop out of school due to financial conditions.

Raise standards of educational facilities at all levels, regulate minimum areas, standards and norms to gradually approach regional and international standards.

Prioritize clean land funds, allow flexible conversion of land use purposes to educational land; focus on site clearance, and allocate clean land for educational and training projects. Do not collect land use fees, reduce land rent and land tax for domestic educational institutions./.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nghi-quyet-cua-bo-chinh-tri-ve-giao-duc-va-dao-tao-dot-pha-khau-thu-ba-5057541.html