E807 Children and young people's world: Frameworks for integrated practice Why does the gap in implementing ECCE in rural Viet Nam remain between the Kinh majority group and ethnic minority groups such as the Hmong?

Abstract

This paper explores the disparity between the majority group, the Kinh, and ethnic minority groups (EMGs), in particular one the Hmong, in accessing early childhood care and education (ECCE) in Vietnam. The existing literature revealed that the Hmong have the least access to ECCE, due to their geographic distribution in remote highland locations in northern Viet Nam (Burr, 2014, p. 160). Consequently, the Hmong are the most disadvantaged and the poorest EMG of all 54 ethnic groups in Viet Nam (UNICEF, 2010; UNESCO, 2012). To investigate the disparity between the Kinh and Hmong groups, Bronfenbrenner (1979)'s ecological theory is used to further illustrate how Vietnamese policies, laws and large scale ECCE research focus at Bronfenbrenner's macrosystem theory layer. Furthermore, ECCE related national policies, laws and research do not take into consideration Bronfenbrenner's microsystem layer which more realistically reflects the Hmong experience and situation in Viet Nam. To better understand what created the gap and inequality in accessing ECCE services between the Kinh and Hmong ethnic groups, a number of United Nations (UN) agency reports and small scale studies about the situation of children in Viet Nam were reviewed. In this literature review, I also suggest that there is a need to conduct small scale qualitative research, using ethnographic methodology in order to better understand the cultural characteristics that distinguish the different EMGs in order to develop ECCE programs that appropriately reflect Hmong (and EMGs) needs. Finally, this literature review concludes that the gap between what ECCE policies state or intend to accomplish differs significantly from what is actually being implemented in Hmong communities. This discrepancy is due to the lack of consideration, at the macro level, of the different cultural beliefs between the majority Kinh group and the ethnic minority Hmong communities. Ultimately, the Hmong are relegated to endure inequality and limited ECCE access due to discriminatory policy and infrastructure decisions made by the Kinh who represent the vast majority of leadership positions throughout the government (Hines et al., 2010, p. 914).