Inclusive Education in Vietnam: How SEN Students Thrive with Online International Schools

Empowering Every Student: How Online Learning Transforms SEN Education in Vietnam

Families in Vietnam are increasingly investigating online schools as an inclusive and flexible alternative to traditional classrooms for SEN students.

At Crimson Global Academy, we believe that every student can achieve success when they are seen, supported and empowered. This conviction applies to all our students – from those with high learning potentials to those with specific learning differences or social-emotional needs, through inclusion and personalisation, every student can thrive.

Many countries within Asia also share this positive rationale, investing in SEN support infrastructure for students, and ensuring that good education is accessible to everyone. Vietnam is no different. This raises two questions: 

• What can SEN students and parents expect from the conventional education systems for support?
• Is the Online school system another possible solution?

The SEN Landscape in Vietnam

A study by Nguyen et al. describes Vietnam as the most inclusive country in Asia in educating children and youth with disabilities. 

This study outlines the development of Vietnam’s SEN support infrastructure since 1991 and highlights several key principles and processes implemented by the government, NGOs and intergovernmental agencies in order to provide this support including:

1. Ensuring the receiving of age-appropriate general or vocational education for SEN students, through specialist schools before transitioning to an integrated support system within the general school system.
2. Increased accessibility for SEN students, from support for those with physical disabilities (i.e. wheelchair access for users) to financial assistance to households that require it.
3. Appropriate training and funding granted to staff and schools supporting SEN students, including postgraduate education within this field of pedagogy, training on activity-based instruction or preparation for educating SEN students. 
4. Social campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with disabilities and special needs and encouraging participation of SEN students within the general education system as valued and respected members of the classroom.
5. Legislative developments which enshrined within the legal system the rights of students with special educational needs for care, education and protection together with drafting national goals for continued implementation of support, including increasing the % of students with access to SEN support and the % of staff with proper training and guidance to facilitate this.

These and many more policies have built Vietnam’s educational traditions of support and inclusion. 

Many policies are also continually being developed and implemented to further support the work completed so far, bridging the gap between accessibility for special educational needs students and other non-SEN youth in education and training.

Online Education and SEN

Aside from the conventional education system of Vietnam which continues to develop, many families are also choosing online education which presents a unique opportunity for Vietnamese SEN students. Through this pathway students are able to access:

• Flexible pacing: Where students progress at a speed suited to the student’s abilities, reducing anxiety and building confidence.
• Reduced Sensory and Social Pressures: Which reduces noise and overstimulation associated with traditional  learning environments for students with sensory sensitivities.
• Individualised Support: Through tailored support plans and teaching strategies, including access arrangements and targeted pastoral care which meet student’s needs.
• Continuity of learning: With recorded lessons and flexible timetables ensuring consistency within learning even during medical leaves of absences.
• Greater autonomy by giving control and independence to the learner on their approaches to engagement, fostering the development of new skills and self-advocacy.

Online learning can be a great fit for students who:

• Find traditional classrooms overwhelming or overstimulating.
• Enjoy independent, self-paced learning.
• Require flexibility for medical or mental health reasons
• Benefit from a personalised learning pathway or an accelerated curriculum.

Online learning can also derive benefits from assistive technology, strengthening individualised support through recorded lessons, text-to-speech tools, and many other means.

Crimson Global Academy’s Approach to SEN Support

Crimson Global Academy remains committed to ensuring inclusion is not a formality, but a core aspect of the school’s educational philosophy. CGA’s approach to learning revolves around a school environment where students of all learning profiles are seen, supported, respected and empowered for success. 

Spearheading this initiative is CGA’s Inclusion Manager (SENCO), Jane Eagle, who possesses 27 years of experience in inclusion and is responsible for ensuring all learners receive the right support with her wealth of knowledge and compassion within her role. Her careful assessment, planning and collaboration with teachers and families ensures students of all learning profiles can be made to feel at home.

In addition, CGA’s pastoral support infrastructure revolves around several pillars:

• Pastoral mentors who monitor emotional wellbeing and motivation. 
• Pastoral Deans who lead Houses, supporting community-building and emotional support.
• Form Tutors who offer regular opportunities for check-ins to support student wellbeing and the building of friendships.

This multi-layered approach ensures that all students, regardless of learning profiles, have access to academic, social and emotional support.

Students upon joining will also become part of an international community that allows students to maintain a strong social life whilst pursuing educational goals by meeting like-minded peers who share similar academic interests, ideas or hobbies.

Speak with a CGA Advisor:

If you are considering an online educational environment for your child which seeks to understand and support individual learning profiles, we would be delighted to speak with you.

Speak to an Advisor today to explore how CGA can meet your child's needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an online school for SEN students?

An online school for SEN students provides personalised education through virtual classes, flexible pacing, and tailored support plans to meet individual learning needs.

2. Does Crimson Global Academy support students with special educational needs?

Yes. CGA offers individualised support plans, pastoral care, and access arrangements to ensure every SEN student is supported academically and emotionally.

3. How does online learning help SEN students in Vietnam?

Online learning reduces sensory overload, offers flexibility, and allows students to learn at their own pace — key benefits for many SEN learners in Vietnam.

4. What qualifications does CGA offer to SEN students?

CGA offers the IGCSE, A-Level, and US Diploma pathways — all globally recognised and accessible to students with a range of learning profiles.