AKP Phnom Penh, March 13, 2025 —

In recent years, schools across the northern province of Phu Tho have implemented various activities and extracurricular programmes to enhance students’ English proficiency.

These efforts align with Conclusion No. 91-KL/TW, issued by the Political Bureau on August 12, 2024, which aims to gradually establish English as a second language in schools.

As part of Project 5 under the National Target Programme (NTP) for socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas (2021-2030), Phu Tho has actively promoted teacher training, infrastructure investment, and the adoption of advanced teaching models.

Some schools have introduced interactive English learning models, including the integrated English Discoveries (ED) programme, developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). This programme combines in-class textbook lessons with online learning, helping students strengthen their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

A significant policy shift occurred on February 4, 2025, when the provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 458/KH-UBND regarding high school entrance exams for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Under this plan, public high schools, as well as ethnic boarding schools, will conduct entrance exams in three subjects including Mathematics, Literature, and English.

Making English a mandatory subject in entrance exams reflects a broader trend in modern education, recognizing its increasing importance for academic and personal development.

It also underscores Phu Tho’s commitment to enhancing students’ English proficiency. By prioritising English education from the lower secondary level, students will be better prepared for high school and higher education.

The inclusion of English as a compulsory exam subject is expected to drive both teachers and students to invest more effort in mastering the language systematically.

Additionally, the TOEFL Challenge, an international English competition organised by the Department of Education and Training in collaboration with IIG Vietnam, has provided students with exposure to the TOEFL international standard over the past five years. This competition helps assess English proficiency at international benchmarks and allows students to compare their abilities with peers nationwide.

Many students from Phu Tho have achieved outstanding results, with some topping the provincial rankings and qualifying for the national finals.

According to official reports from the 2023-2024 TOEFL Primary Challenge, 94% of primary school participants in Phu Tho met the A1 proficiency level—a key national target for primary students by 2025.

Meanwhile, 88% of lower secondary students who took the TOEFL Junior Challenge reached at least A2, the Ministry of Education and Training’s required proficiency level for secondary students.

With strategic initiatives, dedicated educators, and strong parental support, English education in Phu Tho is set to thrive. The province’s goal of making English a second language in schools will open new opportunities for students, improve workforce quality, and drive international integration and development.

AKP-VNA