In order to meet its stated aim of transforming the country into a modern industrialised economy by 2020, the Government of Viet Nam has continued to prioritise education as a driving force for sustainable development, industrialisation and modernisation. However, despite great progress already achieved in the education sector, the UNESCO Global Monitoring Report in 2008 included Viet Nam among its list of ten countries with over 1 million school- age children who were not attending school. This is a cause for grave concern, particularly at lower secondary level, since missing this vital part of their education will affect children?s chances for employment in non-agricultural jobs, and will also affect the future composition of the country?s labour force. This Policy Brief uses longitudinal data from Young Lives to review which children were leaving before completing lower secondary school. This analysis suggests key reasons are children?s academic performance and reported ?disinterest? in school. Other factors include household poverty, low parental education, and ethnic minority status. In contrast, support from family and friends and positive attention and encouragement from their teachers are important factors that discourage children from dropping out.

Understanding the reasons why some children leave school early in Viet Nam
by Nguyen Thi Thu Hang and Nguyen Thu Huong, Young Lives Viet Nam Policy Brief 2
http://www.younglives-vietnam.org/publications/bao-cao-tom-tat-chinh-sach/nguyen-nhan-bo-hoc-som-cua-tre-em-viet-nam