(VOVworld) – The 8^th plenum of the 11^th Party Central Committee opened in Hanoi on Monday. Key topics for discussion are this year’s socio-economic development and plans for next year as well as national educational reform.

In his opening speech, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that the plenum will analyze Vietnam’s current socio-economic situation, particularly the restructuring of its growth model and economy. Participants will work out orientations and plans for the next two years to successfully carry out a resolution of the 11^th National Party Congress on 3 years of socio-economic development. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong asked participants to discuss the state of the macro-economy, risks of a possible recurrence of high inflation, the liquidity and safety of the banking system, efforts to improve the business and investment environment and remove difficulties facing business performance. He said: “Party and state leaders have decided to shift from rapid growth to inflation control, stabilizing the macro-economy, maintaining an appropriate growth rate, and ensuring social security. We should review efforts to restructure our growth model and economy and discuss plans for the years to come. Lessons should be drawn to improve management and boost socio-economic growth.”

Mr. Trong said that education is always a national policy and that a resolution to improve this area needs to be issued. He said that comprehensive reform of education and training should go hands in hands with reform of ideology, target, content, teaching methods, mechanisms, and policies. This effort requires the involvement of the party, state, community, and the entire society and reform will be carried out in schools at all levels nationwide. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said: “Investment in education to develop human resources is a priority in our socio-economic development programs. The focus has been shifted from providing knowledge to developing the ability and potential of learners. Education development should go together with socio-economic development, national defense and scientific and technological advances. Education should be standardized, modernized and democratized. The education system should be open and flexible and ensure compatibility among levels of education and training methods, making it easier for life-time education.”

Party leader Trong called for further study and discussion of revisions to the 1992 Constitution and said that the plenum will decide and issue party electoral regulations and establish sub-committees to prepare for the 12^th National Party Congress.