The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Nippon Foundation have announced a US$5.2 million grant to improve minority students’ access to quality and inclusive education across Viet Nam.
Under the patronage of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, Viet Nam’s Deputy Minister of Education and Training, a new program was launched today to improve quality and inclusion in education, particularly for children from ethnic minorities and those living with disability.
During an event in Hanoi that brought together local and international education specialists, Deputy Minister Kim Chi welcomed a $2.6 million grant from the Nippon Foundation, unlocking an additional $2.6 million grant from the GPE Multiplier, an innovative finance instrument that incentivizes additional external funding to help transform education systems.
“The project ‘Ramping up learning for all: Quality education for ethnic minorities children and children with disability’ aims to increase access to education for ethnic minority children and those living disabilities so they can be fully integrated in the education system,” said Deputy Minister Kim Chi. “This will be done through enhancing ethnic minority children’s proficiency in Vietnamese and promoting inclusive learning for children with disabilities.”
Viet Nam has high primary school completion rates, strong gender parity, low student-teacher ratios, and a low out-of-school rate, but too many children from ethnic minorities do not have the support they need to progress through the education system. Viet Nam is home to 54 ethnic groups, 90 languages and multiple dialects.
“We are pleased to be able to collaborate with partners to increase inclusive education for both children from ethnic minorities and those living with disabilities, so they access high-quality education,” said Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation. “One World, One Family. This is the basic philosophy of the Nippon Foundation. We have worked in the country for many years and are delighted to join forces with GPE and other partners. Education is the cornerstone of development, and we must all strive to give this opportunity to each and every child. I look forward to meeting some of these children and communities during our visit to schools in Yen Bai province tomorrow.”
“Vietnam has made major strides towards universal access to education. Building on this success they are now addressing challenges that remain for marginalized children, including those in remote areas, belonging to ethnic minority groups, or living with disabilities, in fully accessing their right to quality inclusive learning,” stated Charles North, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education. “Overcoming the final barriers is often the most challenging step. At GPE, we are deeply committed to the power of partnership in tackling these obstacles to education. Through our collective efforts, we are dedicated to ensuring that every boy and girl in Vietnam, regardless of their location or background, receives the chance to learn and flourish.”
Implemented by Save the Children, the $5.2 million project will strengthen inclusive education in Viet Nam, particularly for children from ethnic minorities in remote regions, by increasing their proficiency in Vietnamese as well as in minority languages. Over the next three years, 734,000 children and 1,800 teachers from minority groups will benefit from the program.
“We are deeply grateful for the trust bestowed upon us by GPE, the Nippon Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Training to bridge the educational access gap for children from ethnic minorities and those with disabilities,” said Mrs. Le Thi Thanh Huong, Country Director of Save the Children in Vietnam. “We are confident that our shared commitment will bolster our collective endeavors to give every child in Viet Nam the opportunity to unlock their potential.”
