More than 100 parents of American International School Vietnam (AISVN) proposed to let their children study online, accepting to pay an additional 10-15 million per month.
On the morning of March 28, 115 parents sent a collective petition to the American International School Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, hoping that their children would be able to switch to online learning to complete the school year.
Ms. Minh Anh, a parent of an 11th grade student at the school, representing the group, said that students will return to school after the spring break (March 23-31). However, up to this point, AISVN has not yet come up with any plan to ensure stable operations.
Meanwhile, with only two months left in the second semester, transferring schools is very difficult, especially for seniors. Parents have discussed and decided to make this proposal. They agree to pay tuition fees for the school to operate online teaching activities. The specific fee will be calculated specifically if this plan is approved.
"The most reasonable fee that parents find is about 10-15 million VND per month," said Mr. Bui Thong, a parent with two children studying at AISVN.
Parents believe that with the school’s experience in online teaching during the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the existing facilities and adaptability of teachers and students, this will be organized effectively. They will coordinate with the school to operate legally, ensuring the rights of students and parents.
According to parents, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), which provides and manages the program, has approved online learning. If schools can hold exams, students will still receive transcripts.
AISVN students participate in the International Mathematics Competition for High School Students, 2020. Photo: AISVN
On March 18, all students had to stay home from school because most teachers did not show up to teach because they were owed salaries. On March 20, the number of teachers who quit their jobs reached 85. Many parents said they were stuck because they had paid billions of dong in tuition fees, while transferring schools when the second semester was about to end was not easy.
When working with the Department of Education and Training on March 21, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, committed to calling for investment funds to restructure the school during the spring break (March 25-31) to maintain educational activities and take full responsibility before the law if she fails to do so.
According to Circular 09 of the Ministry of Education and Training on management and organization of online teaching, schools are allowed to switch from in-person to online learning during the time when students cannot attend school due to force majeure. This, if possible, must be based on the instructions of the competent authority.
AISVN was established in 2006 and currently has more than 1,210 students studying 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.
Le Nguyen
*Parents' names have been changed
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