Vietnam: How many years do students attend lower secondary school?

How many years do students attend lower secondary school?

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 28 of the 2019 Education Law of Vietnam, educational levels and age groups of general education are regulated as follows:

Educational levels and entry ages

1. Educational levels and age groups of general education are regulated as follows:

a) Primary education lasts for 05 school years, from the first to the fifth grade. The entry age for the first grade is 06;

b) Lower secondary education lasts for 04 school years, from the sixth to the ninth grade. Students must complete the primary educational programme before entering the sixth grade. The entry age for the sixth grade is 11;

c) Upper secondary education lasts for 03 school years, from the tenth to the twelfth grade. Students must complete the lower secondary educational programme before entering the tenth grade. The entry age for the tenth grade is 15;

2. Cases where schooling could be commenced at younger ages or at higher ages prescribed in clause 1 of this Article are as follows:

a) Commencing schooling at younger ages for students with early intellectual development;

b) Commencing schooling at older ages for students repeating classes, students living in areas with exceptional socio-economic difficulties, students belonging to ethnic minorities, disabled and handicapped students, students with physical or intellectual disadvantages, orphan students, students of poor households, students returning from overseas and other cases as prescribed by law.

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Lower secondary education is conducted over 04 school years, from grade six to the end of grade nine. Students entering grade six must have completed the primary education curriculum. The age of students entering grade six is 11 years and is calculated by year;

Thus, according to the regulation, middle school students will study for 04 years, from grade six to the end of grade nine.

How many years do students attend lower secondary school? (Image from Internet)

Is there universalization of education for lower secondary school students?

Pursuant to Article 14 of the 2019 Education Law, universalization of education and compulsory education are prescribed as follows:

Universalization of education and compulsory education

1. Primary education is compulsory.

The State shall provide the universalization of preschool education to 05-year-old children and provide the universalization of lower secondary education.

2. The State shall be responsible for implementing compulsory education throughout the country; planning and facilitating the universalization of education.

3. All citizens within defined age groups shall have the obligation to learn in order to contribute to the universalization of education and complete the compulsory education programme.

4. Families and guardians shall enable their members in defined age groups to receive education in order to contribute to the universalization of education and complete the compulsory education programme.

Thus, according to the above regulation, lower secondary education should be universalized, and this universalization will be implemented by the State.

At the same time, the State is responsible for implementing compulsory education nationwide; determining plans and ensuring conditions to implement general education.

In addition, Article 12 of Decree 20/2014/ND-CP of Vietnam's Government also provides that the subjects of universal lower secondary education will be youths and adolescents aged from 11 to 18 who have completed the primary education curriculum but have not graduated from lower secondary education.

What are the criteria for recognized standard achievement of secondary educational universalization standard at level 1?

Pursuant to Article 14 of Decree 20/2014/ND-CP, criteria for recognized standard achievement of secondary educational universalization standard at level 1 are as follows:

(1) For individuals: Granted with Certificate of secondary education.

(2) For communes:

+ Ensuring the criteria for recognized standard achievement of secondary educational universalization standard at level 1 and criteria for recognized illiteracy eradication standard at level 1;

+ The percentage of youths and teenagers from 15 to 18 years old graduating from secondary educational level must reach at least 80% and 70% for extremely difficult social-economic conditions.

(3) For districts: At least 90% of communes must be recognized to have met the standard of secondary educational universalization at level 1.

(4) For provinces: There must be 100% districts recognized to have met the standard of secondary educational universalization at level 1.