A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of science in Regional and Rural Development Planning

Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2013

The research examined the education performance of ethnic minority pupils who are at upper secondary education. Also, the research investigated the school personnel, facilities, and {uFB01}nancial and technical support that were provided in Boarding school in the link with assessment of pupils and their parents on those aspects of education services. The main objective of the research is to examine the education services for the ethnic minorities in rural of Vietnam, especially, for the X0 Dang ethnic group in Tu Mo Rong district. The study was covered on only the upper secondary level of education which associates with the pupils from grades 10 to 12 and their parents at two communes in the poorest district of Kon Tum Province of Vietnam . The ethnic minority to be covered in this research is from Xo Dang ethnic group, one out of six indigenous in Kon Turn province. Tu Mo Rong Boarding school is the unique education institution that the study conducted by. Major target groups were covered are pupils who are studying and have completed the secondary education. "* The research was conducted in the unique boarding school and two poor communes Dak Ha and Ngoc Lay in Tu Mo Rong district, Vietnam. The main method for data collection is using a survey questionnaire With a total of 72 sampled households and 72 pupils at boarding school. Moreover, in order to get unbiased and deeper information, observation on households{u2019} living condition and school as well as interview with head teachers, principle and provincial education manager were implemented. Also, for getting the deeper understanding on the needs of the ethnic minority youth, group discussion and in-depth interview with some case of studies were included. The research was focused on qualitative analysis but qualitative technique was also applied. The main {uFB01}ndings showed the backwardness of ethnic minorities{u2019} education are still remaining such as high rate of drop-out, taking repeated exams, and repetition class; while the rate of enrohnent and access to higher education of ethnic minorities are extremely low. Among of that, drop-out class in the most serious problem. The reasons for those shortcomings are almost the same that are the limitation of learning ability, low adaptation ability and language barrier. Moreover, due to the lack of the care from parents and teachers unexpected pregnancy is one of serious cause of dropping out class as well as others problems. From the main {uFB01}ndings, the research concluded that, although the ethnic minorities in this district get the relatively adequate support from government, it means that the education services are relatively good; the performance of education of ethnic minorities still does not reach the expectation. The causes are from sides, ethnic minorities themselves and the insuf{uFB01}cient support from government. From the {uFB01}ndings, a set of recommendation were given in order to improve the education situation as well as alleviate the backwardness for ethnic minorities at USE in the district. It is the needs of improving the school{u2019}s facilities, contact between teachers and parents, increasing the support {uFB01}om government. It is more important to enhance the teaching methods of the teachers with the purpose of making the curriculum suitable with the level of understanding and characteristics of ethnic minority pupils.