(VOVworld)- The new academic year began at kindergartens, schools, colleges and universities throughout the country today, welcoming more than 21 million pupils and students.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Vinh Hien said that this year the educational sector aims to comprehensively reform education to meet the demands of national socio-economic development and international integration. "This year, the educational sector will continue its reform process focusing on decentralization of departments and schools. We will also improve our teaching methodology to encourage student dynamism and creativity. We aim to ensure a sufficient number of educators and teachers at all levels and restructure the curriculum to meet the needs of different localities", said Mr. Hien..

Provincial departments of Education and Training have over the years concentrated on improving the quality of teaching and learning and the development of high-end human resources. In Bac Ninh province, all children at the age of 5 have been encouraged to go to school. Nguyen Duc Buoi, Director of Bac Ninh province’s Department of Education and Training says: "This year, the province is concentrating on popular and specialized education, tightening the control of funds and extra classes. We also aim to improve the infrastructure and facility at kindergartens".

In letters to teachers, students and parents on the occasion of the new academic year, President Truong Tan Sang urged the whole education sector to keep renewing management mechanisms, improving the quality of teachers and education officials and building a friendly and healthy education environment, providing equal opportunities for studying to everyone. He expressed his belief that the students will promote their national tradition of learning to achieve higher results in education.

In Truong Sa (Spratly) islands, local authorities held a ceremony to open a new academic year today. School facilities in Truong Sa township and Sinh Ton commune have been upgraded. Khanh Hoa province aims to continue building more schools and recruiting more teachers so that local students can attend upper secondary classes on the islands next academic year, instead of moving to the mainland for their studies. Nguyen Viet Thuan, Vice Chairman of Truong Sa district's People's Committee, said: "Celebrations of the opening of the new academic year are similar to those in the mainland. This year, tables, chairs, boards and textbooks are new and sufficient for local pupils. Currently, we are running 3 schools in Truong Sa and the learning quality is very good".