Need to clarify how much tuition exemption for teachers' children is
The draft Law on Teachers is built on the viewpoint of not distinguishing between public and private teachers. This means that if passed, the policies will apply equally to both public and private school teachers, including the policy of exempting tuition fees for teachers' children.
The principal of a private high school expressed concern that the proposal did not show any practical basis.
He said that if this policy is implemented, it could create additional financial burdens for non-public schools, indirectly increasing tuition pressure on students who are not teachers' children.
"The draft proposes exempting tuition fees for teachers' children, but it is necessary to understand more precisely and fully the beneficiaries.
Primary school students have long been exempted from tuition fees. Preschool children aged 5 have been exempted from tuition fees since September 2024. Secondary school students have been exempted from tuition fees since September 2025.
Note that all of these policies apply to public educational institutions only.
Thus, the practical proposal is only meaningful for teachers' children who are preschool children under 5 years old, high school students and university students.
At the same time, in the projected budget spreadsheet, there is no cost factor showing that private school students who are teachers' children will also enjoy this policy," the principal stated his opinion.
Teachers working as exam invigilators at the 2024 high school graduation exam (Photo: Hoang Hong).
He cited that the budget calculation table estimated the average tuition fee according to Decree 81 and Decree 97. Accordingly, the tuition fee applied to high school students is 370,000 VND/month, the tuition fee applied to university students is 1.3 million VND/month. "This number is not close to reality," the principal commented.
In fact, the university tuition fee of 1.3 million VND/month is the fee collected by public training institutions that are not self-sufficient in regular expenses. For the remaining schools, tuition fees generally range from 1.7-2.2 million VND/month. For advanced programs, tuition fees can be up to 5-6 million VND/month.
For example, at Hanoi National University, tuition fees of member schools are commonly 2-3.5 million VND/month depending on the major and training program.
For some specific majors, the standard tuition fee is up to 4-5 million VND/month. Of which, the tuition fee of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy is 5.5 million VND/month.
"So what number will be used as the basis for exempting tuition fees for teachers' children? How much tuition fees exactly will be exempted? For private schools, how much will the state budget support, how much will the schools have to pay? These are the contents that need to be clarified before we can comment, object or agree.
If the policy of exempting tuition fees for teachers' children is passed but private schools do not implement it and still collect normal tuition fees, are they violating the regulations?
If private schools have to exempt tuition fees for teachers' children, it is very likely that they will increase revenue for the remaining group to offset the costs. And unintentionally, other students will suffer losses due to the preferential policy for students who are teachers' children," the principal raised concerns.
"If it is not fair to all teachers, it should not be included in the Law."
Another principal of a non-public inter-level school said that the proposal to exempt tuition fees for teachers' children is a breakthrough of the Ministry of Education and Training with the desire to create the best conditions for teachers and attract high-quality human resources for the industry.
However, the feasibility of the proposal is not high.
"At this stage, I think that even if the proposal is approved, it will be difficult to implement immediately because the country's economic conditions do not allow it.
I cite this, in the 2019 Education Law, Article 99, Section 3 states: Primary school students in public educational institutions do not have to pay tuition; in areas without enough public schools, primary school students in private educational institutions are supported by the state to pay tuition, the level of support is decided by the Provincial People's Council.
But in reality, primary school students in non-public educational institutions currently do not receive tuition support.
Therefore, there is no guarantee that the tuition-free policy for teachers' children will reach teachers in private schools.
Teachers in private schools all expect the government's policies and regimes to not discriminate between public and private schools. Because regardless of the educational institution, teachers' dedication to the profession is the same.
Therefore, if fairness is not achieved for all teachers, it should not be included in the Law," the principal stated his opinion.
From another perspective, independent education expert Bui Khanh Nguyen said that this proposal has many points that need further clarification.
"First, what social problem does this policy solve, what is its purpose? If it is to motivate teachers, have they surveyed and researched the wishes of the majority of teachers? Is it true that free tuition for teachers' children is what teachers want?
Second, what are the consequences of the policy? Is it fair among all professions and among all students?", Mr. Nguyen asked.
Mr. Nguyen emphasized that if a group of students must be supported, it must be the weaker group, not because of whose children they are. Not to mention that teachers are the force with regular income and a high salary among civil servants.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/de-xuat-mien-hoc-phi-con-giao-vien-truong-tu-xoay-xo-ra-sao-20241010112144473.htm
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