Download resources:

• Report on ECCE in Thailand, the Philippines and Viet Nam
• Early Childhood Care and Education and other Family Policies
  and Programs in SOUTH EAST ASIA, Early Childhood and Family Policy Series n°4
• Education For All National Action Plans

 

Pre-school education in Vietnam caters to children from 3 to 6 years of age. It is not compulsory, and is offered by both the public and the private sectors. Vietnam, Like all other Southeast Asian countries Vietnam stresses the role of parents and families in providing early childhood care and education. However, in recent years it has increased attention to preschool-aged children.

 

In 1999, a law was enacted regarding preschool education, establishing responsibility for programs for 0-6 year olds under one ministry, that of Education and Training, and with links to the Ministry of Health and to women's organizations. The supply of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programs is inadequate in rural areas and among poor children.

 

Vietnam provides a paid and job-protected maternity leave for women in the paid labor force lasting 120 days and replacing 100 percent of prior wages. It covers adoption as well as childbirth. Legislation also provides for an additional unpaid leave lasting 180 days, that may be provided by employers.

 

As in many other countries, early childhood care and education (ECCE) policies and programs are targeted primarily on the 3-5 year olds. Eight percent of 0-3 year olds but 45 percent of 3-5 year olds have access to ECCE in Vietnam. About 76 percent of 5 year olds are enrolled in kindergartens. Access and quality vary dramatically between urban and rural areas. The supply of  ECCE is clearly inadequate, but especially for the 0-3 year olds. Access in general is limited, and fees are reduced for poor children but still too high for many families. The programs are overwhelmingly public or publicly subsidized; only 1 percent are private.

 

ECCE policies and programs are integrated administratively under one ministry (Ministry of Education and Training) , but the delivery system still appears to be fragmented. There are nurseries for children aged 3 months to 3 years and kindergartens for 3 to 6 year olds. In addition to providing care and education for these very young children, the programs are designed to provide cognitive, physical, and social stimulation and prepare children for first grade. Current policies are aimed at increasing the supply and coverage rate in kindergarten to 70-80 percent, developing family day care homes for the under 3s, and stimulating public support and increased investment.

 

Vietnam is promoting an integrated administrative approach with one government Ministry, the Ministry of Education and Training, holding primary responsibility for children from birth to age 8, but it is not yet implemented.

 

The goals are:

a. to make parents more informed about child development and good parenting
b. to establish low-cost community-based programs linked with health care services
c. to establish safe ECCE programs
d. to increase the supply of programs for the 0-3s and for the rural population.

 

The problem of street children (often migrants from rural areas) and of orphans, require special attention as well. The current trend is to encourage the development of private ECCE programs but the government will fund programs in the disadvantaged communities.

 

Sources: UNESCO, Education For All 2000 Assessment Country Report. Bangkok, UNESCO PROAP, June 2000.
Kamerman, Sheila B., Early Childhood Care and Education and Other Family Policies and Programs in Southeast Asia. Bangkok, UNESCO PROAP, 2001.