In 2025, the steering committee and its standing body proactively implemented assigned tasks and promptly issued guiding documents on building a learning society, education universalisation, and literacy eradication. Guidance was provided to communes and wards on consolidating grassroots steering committees and related tasks of community learning centres following the implementation of the two-tier local administration model. As of December 31, all 75 out of 75 communes and wards had completed the consolidation of steering committees at the grassroots level.

At present, the standing body is drafting a decision of the provincial People’s Committee to recognise the attainment of standards for universalisation of education for five-year-old preschool children, primary and secondary education, and literacy eradication at the commune/ward level. Accordingly, Son La has met the standards for preschool education universalisation for five-year-old children; achieved level-2 standards for primary and lower secondary education universalisation; and maintained level-2 literacy eradication standards in all communes and wards.

Regarding the development of a learning society, the province currently records 742,335 learning citizens; 244,713 learning families; 1,176 learning clans; 1,974 learning communities; and 902 learning units. All communes and wards have established, consolidated, and strengthened community learning centres. Provincial departments, sectors, and localities effectively organised activities in response to Lifelong Learning Week 2025.

In 2026, efforts to build a learning society will continue to focus on key tasks, including strengthening leadership by Party committees and authorities at all levels and promoting the participation of the entire society; intensifying communication to raise awareness and responsibility regarding lifelong learning and the development of a learning society; enhancing the application of information technology and digital transformation; strengthening inspection and supervision; and replicating effective models and innovative practices.

At the meeting, delegates discussed and proposed solutions to strengthen direction and guidance, mobilise the engagement of departments, sectors, and localities in building a learning society; establish specific regulations for funding allocations to grassroots-level steering committees and community learning centres; clarify the responsibilities of steering committee members; and further promote the “Digital Literacy” initiative.

In his concluding remarks, Chien called on steering committee members to review guidance documents and policies on study promotion, talent development, and building a learning society to ensure proper and compliant implementation in the time ahead. He urged departments, sectors, agencies, and units to assign dedicated personnel to study promotion and learning-society tasks; step up communication across mass media with increased airtime and content; promote movements and models such as “digital learning” and “digital citizens”; strengthen inspection, supervision, and evaluation; and launch learning movements and Lifelong Learning Week to generate strong community-wide impact.