"Nurturing knowledge" in highland areas remains a top priority in social welfare policy. Alongside National Target Programs, the system of ethnic minority boarding and semi-boarding schools continues to serve as an "extended arm" in bringing literacy to the villages.

Entering 2025, education policy for disadvantaged areas has achieved a breakthrough with the Government’s issuance of Decree No. 238/2025/ND-CP (dated September 3, 2025). This decree supersedes previous regulations, providing improved support for study costs as well as tuition exemptions and reductions for ethnic minority students.

Thanks to synchronized investment, the quality of education has witnessed positive changes. By the end of the 2024–2025 academic year, the teaching staff has been significantly standardized, with the percentage of teachers meeting training qualification standards reaching 91.9% at the primary level, 94.8% at the lower secondary level, and 99.9% at the upper secondary level.

The network of specialized schools and classes has not only been maintained but also enhanced in terms of the quality of care and education. Tens of thousands of students from these schools have matured and returned to serve their homelands. However, challenges remain as facilities at certain school sites have yet to keep pace with reform requirements. This necessitates closer supervision to ensure that all students in highland areas benefit from the best possible educational environment.