Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan says the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) appreciates the efficiency of Vietnam’s educational and cultural projects.

In an interview with Vietnam News Agency during his visit to France for the 34th UNESCO General Assembly session, the Deputy PM said UNESCO praised Vietnam’s vanguard projects, especially the project to universalise education.

According to Deputy PM Nhan, Vietnam completed the universalisation of primary education in 1995, 20 years ahead of the world schedule, and is now targeting secondary education.

Nhan also said the UN organisation had applauded Vietnam’s community-based educational system of 7,000 schools in 11,000 communes and villages nationwide.

Regarding cultural and environmental preservation, UNESCO acknowledged Vietnam had actually had six world-recognised biosphere conservation reserves that form a network of laboratories serving natural conservation work.

During his France working visit, Deputy PM Nhan met with UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura and made a speech at the organisation’s plenary session and a round-table conference on education attended by educational ministers from nearly 100 countries. (VNA)