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| By 2035, 95 per cent of students will receive life skills education, with an equal proportion equipped with digital skills__Photo: VNA |
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra on October 23 signed Decision 2033/QD-TTg approving the National Strategy for Child Development for 2026-35, with a vision towards 2045.
The strategy seeks to ensure that children grow up in a safe, healthy and supportive environment, with equal access to healthcare, education and protection services. It also promotes their comprehensive development, encompassing physical and mental well-being, intellectual abilities, moral values, life skills, digital skills and creativity.
A key priority is tackling emerging threats to children in cyberspace, including risks associated with the rapid development of digital technology.
Improving education and digital skills
The strategy calls for greater access to quality education and stronger efforts to equip children with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate an increasingly digital world.
It sets a target of achieving a preschool enrolment rate of 97 per cent by 2030, which will at least be maintained through 2035. By 2035, 95 per cent of students will receive life skills education, with an equal proportion equipped with digital skills.
Priority will also be given to keeping children in school, reducing dropout rates and expanding inclusive education for children with disabilities, particularly those living in disadvantaged circumstances or areas.
Schools and other education institutions will be encouraged to provide age-appropriate health, sex and reproductive health education, alongside psychological counselling and mental health support. Measures to prevent school violence, accidents, injuries and drowning will also be strengthened to create safer and more supportive learning environments.
Tackling emerging online risks
As children spend more time online, the strategy places particular emphasis on preventing and addressing abuse, scams, cyberbullying, online grooming, exploitation and other risks arising from technological advances.
Relevant authorities, families, schools and digital service providers will be encouraged to work more closely to identify children at risk, respond promptly to incidents and provide appropriate protection and support.
Beyond online safety, the strategy sets a target of reducing the rate of children experiencing violence or sexual abuse by at least 5 per cent annually through 2030, followed by annual reductions of 3 per cent during 2031-35.
By 2030, all children in special circumstances will have access to appropriate assistance, intervention and services that meet their basic needs.
Strengthening family and community support
Recognising the important role of families in child development and protection, the strategy seeks to improve parenting knowledge and skills. It targets providing parenting guidance to 85 per cent of parents and caregivers by 2030. This rate is expected to reach 95 per cent by 2035.
At the local level, all communes, wards and special zones are required to have personnel responsible for child protection by 2027, along with mechanisms to receive, refer and handle reports of child protection concerns. Local authorities must also ensure access to the National Child Protection Hotline 111 and maintain mechanisms for handling emergency information in accordance with regulations.
To meet these objectives, the strategy identifies eight groups of priority tasks and measures. These include improving the legal framework, strengthening healthcare and education, enhancing child protection, accelerating digital transformation and data management, and promoting public communication, resource mobilisation and international cooperation.- (VLLF)
