Abstract

This study investigates enhancing managerial staff capacity in Southeast Vietnam’s primary schools to support the 2018 General Education Program. Using a mixed-methods approach with surveys and interviews (n=262), it assesses Cultural Competency (CC), School Administrative Competency (SAC), Pedagogical Management Competency (PMC), Social Competency (SC), and Change Management Competency (CMC) via structural equation modeling (SEM). Results confirm these competencies drive educational innovation (EI), with CMC having a strong effect (β=0.482, p=0.000), though SC’s negative direct effect on EI (β=-0.214, p=0.001) suggests resource challenges. Five Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA)-based solutions—strategic planning, recruitment, training, evaluation, and cultural environment—are proposed to address gaps, offering a roadmap for policymakers to align managerial staff capacity with reform goals.

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