VietNamNet Bridge – The Fatherland Front of Viet Nam has for the first time given its seal of approval to religious organisations running nursery schools in the country.

Chairman of the Front's Central Committee, Nguyen Thien Nhan and the ministry also gave away awards to 26 groups and 25 individuals for their outstanding achievements in the development of nursery education. — Photo thanhnien.com.vn

According to figures released at a conference on nursery school development held by the Front and the Ministry of Education and Training in HCM City last week, religious organisations run 269 nursery schools and 905 classes, accounting for 1.9 per cent of the total number of nursery schools, and 15.6 per cent of private nursery schools in the country.

In Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, 33 out of 142 nursery schools are run by religious organisations. It is followed by Lam Dong (26 out of 219), Dong Nai (25 out of 272) and HCM City (86 out of 912).

Addressing the meeting, Chairman of the Front's Central Committee, Nguyen Thien Nhan, said religious organisations run nursery schools in 39 provinces and cities, and these educate 3.06 per cent of the total number of preschool children in Viet Nam.

These schools are of great significance because most of their students are orphans and disadvantaged children, he said.

"We should be respectful towards these religious nursery schools that operate on a non-profit basis."

He called on ministries, other agencies, and city and provincial authorities to facilitate issues of land use certificates to such religious organisations so that they can mobilise funds for the development of preschool education.

The Front and the ministry also gave away awards to 26 groups and 25 individuals for their outstanding achievements in the development of nursery education.

VNS/VNN