Press conference about American International School Vietnam AISVN

Ho Chi Minh City American International School Vietnam (AISVN) continues to give students two days off, despite being repeatedly asked to organize classes as planned.

On the afternoon of March 21, at the city’s regular press conference, Ms. Le Thuy My Chau, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Departmentof Education and Training, said that AISVN currently has more than 1,210 students studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, 129 foreign teachers and 26 Vietnamese teachers. As of March 20, the number of teachers who have quit their jobs is 85.

After suspending all students on March 18, the school reopened on March 19-20. However, today and tomorrow, the school said it would not be able to hold classes, which has upset many parents.

"Although the Department has sent urgent documents and repeatedly requested that classes be held according to schedule, the school still let students stay home. The Department continues to make a record of the school's violations," said Ms. Chau.

Ms. Le Thuy My Chau at the press conference on the afternoon of March 21. Photo: Le Nguyen — Ms. Le Thuy My Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, at the city's press conference on the afternoon of March 21. Photo: *Thanh Nhan*

According to Ms. Chau, after the incident of parents gathering to demand debt from the American International School Vietnam in September 2023, the Department worked with the school's leaders many times. By January, AISVN said it did not have a clear financial plan but could maintain operations until the end of the school year.

Since the beginning of March, the Department has worked with the principal of AISVN many times on plans to arrange students when teachers are absent from teaching, but the school has not cooperated.

"In reports, the school always states that it is handling finances, but the Department finds that ensuring the school's operations is affecting the quality of teaching and learning, and the rights of students," said Ms. Chau.

The Department has issued an urgent document requesting education departments and public, private, and foreign-invested schools to facilitate the transfer of AISVN students if needed.

This morning, when working with the Department, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, committed to calling for investment funds within a week to restructure the school, maintain educational activities and take full responsibility before the law if she fails to do so.

An AISVN classroom was empty on the morning of March 19 because there were no teachers or students. Photo: Provided by parents — An AISVN classroom was empty on the morning of March 19 because there were no teachers or students. Photo: *Provided by parents*

AISVN was established in 2006, teaching the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Tuition fees are VND280-350 million per year for preschool, VND450-500 million for primary school and VND600-725 million for secondary school. At one stage, the school had more than 400 Vietnamese and foreign teachers and staff.

In October 2023, AISVN attracted attention when many parents gathered to demand debt. These parents said they lent the school tens of billions of dong without interest, without collateral, through loan and investment contracts. In return, their children could study for free, and the school committed to paying after the students graduated or transferred schools. However, they did not receive the money back.

Ms. Chau said that regarding investment packages between the investor AISVN and parents, the Department and legal agencies have guided parents to ensure their rights in court.

In addition, the Department also received a group of about 20 parents. They did not want to transfer schools but wanted the Department to discuss with the investor to give them control of the school.

"This is a matter beyond our jurisdiction," said Ms. Chau.

Le Nguyen - Le Tuyet

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