Vocational Orientation Education Management for Ethnic Minority Boarding School Students: A Case Study in Southern Vietnam
Keywords:
Boarding Schools; Education Management; Ethnic Minority Students; Southern Vietnam; Vocational EducationAbstract
Vocational education is crucial in directing students toward suitable career trajectories while simultaneously cultivating vital skills, professional ingenuity, and motivation. In Vietnam's Southern region, ensuring equitable access to vocational education for ethnic minority students in boarding schools is a critical concern. This study examines the administration of vocational education in ethnic minority boarding schools (EMBSs), with the objective of identifying current strengths, highlighting significant deficiencies, and recommending sustainable, culturally attuned strategies for enhancement. A quantitative survey design was utilized to collect data from 672 participants across 21 EMBSs, comprising 252 administrators and educators. Three structured questionnaires were employed to assess critical aspects of vocational education management, with data analyzed via descriptive statistics and reliability assessment utilizing Cronbach’s alpha. Results indicate robust performance in domains such as goal-setting, curriculum content, and financial planning. Nonetheless, considerable obstacles remain in the effective execution of activities, infrastructural constraints, and inadequate coordination among educational stakeholders. Moreover, contextual barriers—such as socioeconomic challenges and cultural diversity—significantly affect students’ vocational engagement and outcomes. The research emphasizes the significance of equity-focused, localized educational policies and provides pragmatic recommendations to augment institutional capacity, refine career guidance practices, and facilitate inclusive human resource development in Vietnam's ethnic minority areas, thereby contributing to sustained educational reform.
https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.25.3.27
References
Ali, S. R., Yang, L.-Y., Button, C. J., & McCoy, T. T. H. (2011). Career Education Programming in Three Diverse High Schools: A Critical Psychology-Case Study Research Approach. Journal of Career Development, 39(4), 357-385. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845311398131
Amin, Z. N., Kurniawan, K., Nusantoro, E., & Amin, J. (2021). Rasch Model Analysis: Measuring Psychometric Properties of Career Orientation Scale for High School Students. Proceedings of the 11th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Singapore, March 7-11, 2021, 3508-3514. https://www.ieomsociety.org/singapore2021/papers/628.pdf
Bolat, N., & Odac?, H. (2017). High school final year students’ career decision-making self-efficacy, attachment styles and gender role orientations. Current Psychology, 36(2), 252-259. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-016-9409-3
Bölükba??, A., & K?rdök, O. (2019). The Mediating Role of Future Orientation in the Relationship between Career Adaptability and Life Satisfaction in High School Students. Education and Science, 44(200), 77-91. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2019.8090
Brown, C., Darden, E. E., Shelton, M. L., & Dipoto, M. C. (1999). Career exploration and self-efficacy of high school students: are there urban/suburban differences? Journal of Career Assessment, 7(3), 227-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/106907279900700303
Bui, V. H. (2020). Vocational Guidance Education and Streaming High School Students Based on Labor Market Orientation. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change. 13 (7), 1478-1490. https://www.ijicc.net/images/vol_13/Iss_7/13775_Hung_2020_E_R.pdf
Cavalletti, B., Corsi, M., Persico, L., & di Bella, E. (2021). Public university orientation for high-school students. A quasi-experimental assessment of the efficiency gains from nudging better career choices. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 73, 100945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2020.100945
Chen, H., Liu, F., Wen, Y., Ling, L., Chen, S., Ling, H., & Gu, X. (2021). Career Exploration of High School Students: Status Quo, Challenges, and Coping Model. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 672303. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672303
Creed, P. A., Patton, W., & Prideaux, L. A. (2007). Predicting change over time in career planning and career exploration for high school students. Journal of Adolescence, 30(3), 377-392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2006.04.003
Dai, D. Y., & Davis, J. K. (1998). Field Dependence, Academic Achievement, and Career Orientations: A Study of Chinese High School Students. Gifted and Talented International, 13(1), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332276.01.11672875
Do, H. D. & Ha, T. N. (2021). The factors affecting the vocational guidance activities oriented to the education program for Ethnic semi - boarding secondary in Dien Bien Dong district, Dien Bien province. Scientific Journal of Tan Trao University, 7(20). https://doi.org/10.51453/2354-1431/2021/493
Do, T. B. L. (2018). Current status of student classification after secondary schools in the development of human resources to meet the demands of social-economic development. Vietnam Journal of Educational Sciences, 08, 32-36. http://vjes.vnies.edu.vn/en/no-8-august-2018
Doan, H. T. T., Vo, H. T., Nguyen, C. T., & Le, N. H. (2025). Impact of Factors Influencing the STEM Career-Oriented Subjects Choice of Vietnamese High School Students. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 19(4), 1805-1813. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i4.23859
Gamboa, V., Paixão, M. P., & De Jesus, S. N. (2013). Internship quality predicts career exploration of high school students. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 83(1), 78-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2013.02.009
Gaylor, L., & Nicol, J. J. (2016). Experiential high school career education, self-efficacy, and motivation. Canadian Journal of Education/Revue canadienne de l’éducation, 39(2), 1-24. https://www.jstor.org/stable/canajeducrevucan.39.2.06
Germani, S., Marini, M., & Stanzione, I. (2025). The Role of Internship Programs in Fostering School?to?Work Transitions in Secondary Schools: Paths for Transversal Skills and Orientation (PCTOs). Journal of Adolescence, 97(7), 1738-1748. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12531
Hardianto, H., Setyanto, E., & Wulandari, A. (2022). Management of Students in Islamic Boarding Schools. International E-Journal of Educational Studies, 6(12), 124-135. https://doi.org/10.31458/iejes.1102102
Ho, V. T., Nguyen, V. D., & Lu, T. H. Y. (2024). Textbook on career orientation and entrepreneurship management in education and training. Vietnam Education Publishing House.
Ho, V. T., Nguyen, V. D., Nguyen, V. T., Nguyen, L. V. N., & Tran, N. H. (2022). Career orientation and student streaming after secondary and high school education in Vietnam in the new context of human resource development. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 14(2), 1088-1101. https://www.int-jecse.net/media/article_pdfs/1088-1101.pdf
Ho, V. T., Tran, H. H., Nguyen, V. D., & Nguyen, V. T. (2023). Investigating and Implementing a Student Vocational Education Model for Educational Innovation. Journal of Education and e-Learning Research, 10(2), 194-200. https://doi.org/10.20448/jeelr.v10i2.4516
Howard, K. A., Ferrari, L., Nota, L., Solberg, V. S. H., & Soresi, S. (2009). The relation of cultural context and social relationships to career development in middle school. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 75(2), 100-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2009.06.013
Ivzori, Y., Sachs, D., Reiter, S., & Schreuer, N. (2025). School-to-work transition program for at-risk youths: Cultural adaptation. WORK, 81(2), 2618-2630. https://doi.org/10.1177/10519815241311176
Iyer, P., Rolleston, C., & Huong, V. T. T. (2021). Equitable, quality education for ethnic minority students? A case of “positive deviance” in Vietnam. Comparative Education Review, 65(3), 467-492. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/714962
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. FT Press. https://byvn.net/cgKs
Koul, R., Lerdpornkulrat, T., & Poondej, C. (2016). Influence of perceived parenting styles on goal orientations and career aspirations of high school science students in Thailand. International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 15(4), 56-65. https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/IEJ/article/view/10406
Le, D. P. (2023). Research on the vocational education competence framework of current high school teachers. Vietnam Journal of Educational Sciences, 19(8), 8-13. http://vjes.vnies.edu.vn/en/research-vocational-education-competence-framework-current-high-school-teachers
Le, D. P. (2025). The current status of career counseling skills for high school teachers in Phu Tho. Vietnam Journal of Educational Sciences, 21(2), 94-103. http://vjes.vnies.edu.vn/en/current-status-career-counseling-skills-high-school-teachers-phu-tho
Le, H. D., & Nguyen, Q. T. (2021). Some measures to improve the quality of education in ethnic minority boarding schools in Ca Mau province. Vietnam Journal of Education, 513, 45-51. https://tcgd.tapchigiaoduc.edu.vn/index.php/tapchi/article/view/275/71
Le, V. L. (2018). Policies on Support of General Education for Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam in the Current Content. American Journal of Educational Research, 6(12), 1678-1687. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-6-12-14 Lee, Y., Lee, G., Kim, J., & Lee, M. (2021). Equity in career development of high school students in South Korea: The role of school career education. Education Sciences, 11(1), 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11010020
Li, J., Mau, W. C. J., Chen, S. J., Lin, T. C., & Lin, T. Y. (2021). A qualitative exploration of STEM career development of high school students in Taiwan. Journal of Career Development, 48(2), 120-134. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845319830525
Mai, T. Y. L. (2016). The reality of developing high school teaching staffs of the Khmers in the Mekong Delta. Dong Thap University Journal of Science, 22, 22-25. https://doi.org/10.52714/dthu.22.10.2016.390
Migel, J. (2001). Counseling in Careers Guidance. Open University Press.
Ministry of Education and Training Vietnam. (2018). General Education Program - Comprehensive Program (issued with Circular No. 32/2018/TT-BGDDT dated December 26, 2018 of the Minister of Education and Training). https://luatvietnam.vn/giao-duc/thong-tu-32-2018-tt-bgddt-ban-hanh-chuong-trinh-giao-duc-pho-thong-moi-169745-d1.html
Monika, M., & Milena, I. G. (2020). The use of textbooks in the teaching-learning process. In A. Lopivec, J. Bati? & E. Kranjec (Eds.), New Horizons in Subject-Specific Education: Research Aspects of Subject-Specific Didactics. Univerzitetna založba Univerze v Mariboru.
Moriyasu, R., & Kobayashi, T. (2022). Impact of career education on high school students’ occupational choice: Evidence from a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Japan and the World Economy, 63, 101146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japwor.2022.101146
Nguyen, H. D. (2022). Vocational education management and the current situation of vocational education management at Olympia Inter-level School, Hanoi. Vietnam Journal of Education, 22(6), 59-64. https://tcgd.tapchigiaoduc.edu.vn/index.php/tapchi/article/view/377
Nguyen, N. T. (2010). Issues of vocational education for ethnic minority students in the Central Highlands. Ho Chi Minh City University of Education Journal of Science, 23, 130-133. https://doi.org/10.54607/hcmue.js.0.23.1656(2010)
Nguyen, T. H. (2023). Current situation of teaching staff in ethnic boarding junior and senior high school of Bu Gia Map, Binh Phuoc Province. Dong Thap University Journal of Science, 12(02S), 86-95. https://doi.org/10.52714/dthu.12.02S.2023.1086
Nguyen, V. D., Tran, D. N., Pham, H. Q., & Duong, T. H. (2024). An overview of the management of learning activities of students in ethnic boarding schools in Vietnam. Vietnam Journal of Education, 24(11), 1-7. https://tcgd.tapchigiaoduc.edu.vn/index.php/tapchi/article/view/1895
Nguyen, V. D., Tran, D. N., Tran, V. D., Trung, D., & Duong, T. H. (2025). Integrating local educational content into experiential activities for students of ethnic boarding schools in Vietnam. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(11), 2025501. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025501
Nota, L., Soresi, S., Di Maggio, I., Santilli, S., & Ginevra, M. C. (2020). Sustainable development, career counselling and career education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60046-4
Parshukov, A., Bril, A., & Krolivetskaya, S. (2020). Professional orientation of students as the basis of future labour motivation. E3S Web of Conferences. 164, 12012. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202016412012
Parsons, F. (1909). Choosing a vocation. Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
Pham, H. L. (2023). Khmer education at An Giang Ethnic Minority Boarding High School. Dong Thap University Journal of Science, 12(04S), 221-230. https://doi.org/10.52714/dthu.12.04S.2023.1209
Pham, T. H., & Nguyen, T. H. (2023). Developing career-oriented competencies in high school students through biology teaching. Vietnam Journal of Educational Sciences, 19(1), 44-50. http://vjes.vnies.edu.vn/en/developing-career-oriented-competencies-high-school-students-through-biology-teaching
Phi, D. K., & Lam, T. D. (2022). Current status of career guidance management according to the 2018 general education program in secondary schools: A case study in Lang Giang district, Bac Giang province. Vietnam Journal of Education, 22(1), 28–34. https://tcgd.tapchigiaoduc.edu.vn/index.php/tapchi/article/view/317
Plasman, J. S. (2018). Career/education plans and student engagement in secondary school. American Journal of Education, 124(2), 217-246. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/695608
Prediger, D. J., & Sawyer, R. L. (1986). Ten years of career development: A nationwide study of high school students. Journal of Counseling & Development, 65(1), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1986.tb01228.x
Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. (2018). Decision No. 552/QD-TTg dated May 14, 2018 of the Prime Minister: Approving the Project "Career education and student orientation in general education for the period 2018 - 2025". https://vanban.chinhphu.vn/default.aspx?pageid=27160&docid=193710
Scalas, L. F., & Fadda, D. (2019). The Weight of Expectancy-Value and Achievement Goals on Scientific Career Interest and Math Achievement. International Association for Development of the Information Society. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED608750.pdf
Shen, Q. (2021). The importance of integrating career planning education into high school curriculum. In 2021 4th International Conference on Humanities Education and Social Sciences (ICHESS 2021) (pp. 2115-2120). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211220.364
Sutherland, D., Levine, K., & Barth, B. (2005). Investigating the impact of a career education program on school engagement. Canadian Journal of Urban Research, 14(1), 131-157. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44321018
Tang, M., Pan, W., & Newmeyer, M. D. (2018). Factors Influencing High School Students’ Career Aspirations. Professional School Counseling, 11(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X0801100502
Thieu, V. N., & Nguyen, P. H. (2020). Predicting the number of teachers and students at the ethnic minority boarding schools in the Mekong Delta Region, Vietnam. International Journal of Education and Research, 8(8), 81-90. https://www.ijern.com/journal/2020/August-2020/06.pdf
Tran, N. H., Truong, T. D., Dinh, H. V. T., Do, L. H. T., Tran, T. A. T., & Phan, M. H. T. (2020). Significance of Teacher Professional Development in Response to the Current General Education Reforms in Vietnam: Perceptions of School Principals and Teachers. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 78(3), 449-464. https://dx.doi.org/10.33225/pec/20.78.449
Tran, V. D., Nguyen, T. M. L., Nguyen, V. D., Chau, S., & Doan, M. N. (2019). Does Cooperative Learning May Enhance the Use of Students' Learning Strategies?. International Journal of Higher Education, 8(4), 79-88. https://doi.org/10.5430/ijhe.v8n4p79
Truong, H. Q. T. (2011). High School Career Education: Policy and Practice. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 123, 1-28. https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cjeap/article/view/42820
Vu, C. T. (2018). Proposal for a Career Education Competency Framework for Technology Teachers in High Schools. Vietnam Journal of Education, 437(1), 43-49. https://thuvienso.net/upload/library/600515/preview/de-xuat-khung-nang-luc-giao-duc-huong-nghiep-cho-giao-vien-mon-cong-nghe-o-truong-pho-thong-600515.pdf
VVOB Viet Nam. (2013). Vocational education through general vocational education activities. Vietnam: Hanoi National University Publishing House. https://vietnam.vvob.org/sites/vietnam/files/cg_through_egp_v0.0.pdf
Witko, K., Bernes, K. B., Magnusson, K., & Bardick, A. D. (2005). Senior high school career planning: What students want. The Journal of Educational Enquiry, 6(1), 34-49. https://ojs.unisa.edu.au/index.php/EDEQ/article/view/500
Yates, A., & Bruce, M. (2017). The future of career education in New Zealand secondary schools: A review of the literature. Australian Journal of Career Development, 26(2), 62-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416217700421
Yates, A., & Bruce, M. (2017). The future of career education in New Zealand secondary schools: A review of the literature. Australian Journal of Career Development, 26(2), 62-70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1038416217700421
Yuen, M., Yau, F. S., Tsui, J. Y., Shao, S. S., Tsang, J. C., & Lee, B. S. (2019). Career education and vocational training in Hong Kong: Implications for school-based career counselling. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 41, 449-467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-018-9361-z
Zaichenko, N. A., & Vinokurov, M. V. (2018). Academic Capital and the Career Orientations of High School Students. Russian Education & Society, 60(2), 187–201. https://doi.org/10.1080/10609393.2018.1451193
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Van De Nguyen, Thi Thu Hang Nguyen, Van Thong Ho, Viet Ha Le, Thi Hang Duong
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
All articles published by IJLTER are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No-Derivatives 4.0 International License (CCBY-NC-ND4.0).
