Gender-based inequity is generally not evident as far as school enrolment rates are concerned,
except among particular ethnic minority groups and in certain geographic regions.153Differences
between ethnic nationalities in school attendance rates are, however, a challenge. In 2006, for
example, a national sample survey found that net attendance rates at secondary school were lower
for ethnic minority groups than for all other young people – among girls, for example, the attendance
rate was 61.6% for ethnic minority groups, but 82.6% for all other students.154To improve enrolment
rates in secondary and vocational education among ethnic minority groups, the Government –
and International Aid Organisations - are providing more scholarships, constructing more boarding
schools, encouraging the learning of Viet Namese, and providing tuition fee exemptions. It has
also approved the use of community languages in schools attended by ethnic minority children,
though, in fact, teachers, who in most cases do not come from these communities, may not know
how to use a local language in their teaching. Viet Nam’s ethnic nationalities tend to live in the
more remote and mountainous parts of the country, and so their geographic location adds to the
difficulties of providing them with an adequate level of education. Children living in mountainous
areas are possibly worst off. Bad weather and poor roads may disrupt attendance at school. As
they get older, young people from these regions, especially girls, may be required to spend more
time helping out at home.