Connecting Educational Institutions Through the "Professional Cluster" Model in the Context of Vietnam's Two-Tier Local Government System

Enhancing the effectiveness of state management in education is of great significance in meeting the demand for greater decentralization and delegation of authority, accompanied by appropriate resource allocation, increased institutional autonomy, and stronger accountability among educational institutions. Many management responsibilities that were previously under the authority of district-level administrations have now been transferred directly to commune- and ward-level governments. This shift enables local authorities to take a more proactive role in educational governance; however, it also presents considerable challenges in organizing and implementing professional and academic activities at the grassroots level. Meanwhile, Departments of Education and Training continue to play a leading role in providing professional guidance and oversight for the entire local education system. In the context of Vietnam’s two-tier local government system, the “Professional Cluster” model serves as an organizational solution to strengthen connections among educational institutions, support professional development activities, and facilitate the dissemination of effective teaching practices and experiences.