VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City authorities are considering reducing tuition for secondary education, but many parents and education experts say more urgent measures need to be done, including raising teacher pay and reducing the number of crowded classrooms.


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The current tuition is not a burden for most parents



At present, students in inner districts of HCM City have to pay VND100,000 in tuition for secondary education, while students in suburban districts pay VND85,000.

The HCM City authorities recently discussed a plan on exempting tuition for secondary education to be sure that all students can attend school. However, the plan cannot be implemented because the city doesn’t have the right to make such a decision unilaterally.

Replying to the HCM City People’s Committee’s proposal on tuition exemption, the Ministry of Finance said only the National Assembly can make decisions on the issue as stipulated by the Education Law.

The ministry also warned of problems if the tuition exemption is applied. 

It is estimated that HCM City collects VND350 billion in tuition from secondary school students every year. The amount of money, if the city doesn’t need it, should be allocated to schools which can use to increase pay to teachers or for fees other purposes.

HCM City has the highest income per capita in the country. The low tuition of VND85,000-100,000 is not a burden for most parents. 

Meanwhile, tuition exemption in HCM City would lead to inconsistency in the tuition framework in provinces/cities in Vietnam.

Later, HCM City authorities considered lowering the tuition to the lowest possible levels. 

Vo Ngoc Thu, former head of the district 5 education sub-department, said that she has never heard parents complaining about tuition. Some students from poor families can enjoy the tuition reduction under current policies.

According to Thu, instead of exempting tuitions for secondary education, the city’s authorities should increase investments in facilities to upgrade education quality.

The schools in HCM City are complaining about the lack of money to upgrade teaching aids and facilities, and have to call for parents’ contributions.
 
It is estimated that HCM City collects VND350 billion in tuition from secondary school students every year. The amount of money, if the city doesn’t need it, should be allocated to schools which can use to increase pay to teachers or for fees other purposes.

Cao Huy Thao, former headmaster of Luong The Vinh School, also said tuition accounts for a small proportion in the total amount of money students have to pay. The tuition exemption, if approved, won’t bring big benefits.

“It would be better to maintain the current tuition policy and invest the VND350 billion in education,” he commented. “Instead, build more schools and classrooms to reduce the number of students in every class.”

A parent in district 3 said the main problem is crowded classrooms.


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