How many first graders will Ho Chi Minh City recruit in the 2025-2026 school year?

Preschools are also reviewing and updating information on kindergarten - 6-year-old students, if any, on the enrollment database. Currently, localities in Ho Chi Minh City have not issued specific plans to mobilize children to attend classes and enroll students at the beginning of the 2025 - 2026 school year, but many primary schools are expecting the number of students to enter grade 1 in the new school year. This is information that parents are interested in.

THE LARGEST PRIMARY SCHOOL IN DISTRICT 12 IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE MORE THAN 940 STUDENTS

Le Van Tho Primary School, with the largest number of students in District 12, in Tan Thoi Hiep Ward with a total of 4,220 students in the 2024-2025 school year, is expected to welcome more than 940 first graders in the 2025-2026 school year, equivalent to about 18 classes. This area has a very high rate of immigration, a large rate of mechanical population growth, and a very high demand for children to go to school, so the number of students expected to enroll in primary school at this school has not decreased compared to recent years.

Students of Le Van Tho Primary School, District 12. In the 2025-2026 school year, the school is expected to welcome more than 940 first graders.

PHOTO: THUY HANG

Thuan Kieu Primary School, Tan Thoi Nhat Ward, District 12 plans to enroll 6 first graders in the new school year.

Currently, District 12 has not issued a document allocating specific quotas to schools; however, it is predicted that the number of students in the new school year will exceed the standard, due to the large number of 6-year-old children preparing to enter first grade.

SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL DISTRICT READY FACILITIES

Dinh Tien Hoang Primary School, Da Kao Ward, District 1 can accept 9 first-grade classes in the new school year 2025-2026, with an estimated 315 students. This is a centrally located school in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting the attention of many parents. The school has full classrooms, functional rooms, and a team of teachers. Here, 100% of students are taught 2 sessions/day, and the rate of boarding classes (students eat and rest at school) is always high.

Tran Khanh Du Primary School, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, can accept up to 170 first graders. The school teaches 2 sessions/day, has 25 classrooms, facilities, English classrooms, computer classrooms, art classrooms, multi-purpose gymnasium, etc.

As a "hot" school in District 7, Le Van Tam Primary School, Tan Phu Ward is always of interest to many parents. Currently, District 7 does not have a specific plan for primary school enrollment or allocation of first grade quotas to schools in the 2025-2026 school year, however, the school plans to enroll 7 first graders. If the ideal class size is 35 students/class, there will be about 245 first graders in the new school year.

Le Dinh Chinh Primary School, Ward 16, District 11 has had a relatively low enrollment in recent school years. In the 2023-2024 school year, the total enrollment was 890 students, and in the 2024-2025 school year, it was 888 students. The average enrollment in grade 1 was 25 students per class, and in grade 5, the average was 30 students per class. It is predicted that in the new school year, the total enrollment will be equivalent to the current school year, nearly 900 students, with an average of 180 students per grade. This is a school that achieves a 100% rate of teaching 2 sessions per day and organizes boarding for students.

Students of Dinh Tien Hoang Primary School, District 1. This school can accept 9 first grade classes in the new school year 2025 - 2026, with an estimated 315 students.

Photo: Thuy Hang

THE DIFFERENCE IN STUDENT NUMBERS BETWEEN INNER CITY AND SUBURBAN AREAS IS QUITE LARGE

In fact, in recent school years, the difference in student numbers between schools in inner-city and suburban areas has been quite large. In the 2024-2025 school year, the student numbers of many primary schools in inner-city districts such as District 1, District 3, District 11... have decreased, especially in grades 1 and 2, with some places having only over 20 students, less than 30 students per class. Meanwhile, the student numbers of primary schools in District 12, Binh Tan District, and Tan Phu District are still quite large, with many places having over 45 students per class.

"The ideal number of students per class is 35. If there are too few, the class will be empty and the lessons will be sparse. The budget allocated to the school is calculated based on the number of students. If there are few students, the budget allocated will be small, but the school will still have to shoulder a lot of expenses. If the school organizes boarding and has few students, the money for meals, services, and housekeeping management will be small, but the cost of hiring workers and organizing boarding will still be high, so it is really difficult...", said the principal of an elementary school in District 11.

Can I study in an area other than my actual residence?

The Decision "On approving the Plan to mobilize children to attend classes and enroll them in the first grade classes for the 2025-2026 school year" issued by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on March 28 clearly states that the subjects for first grade enrollment are divided into 2 types. Type 1 is to prioritize students whose "current residence" is in the area and within the prescribed age. Type 2 is students who wish to study in an area that is not their actual residence.

For type 2, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee guides: The Thu Duc City Primary Admission Steering Committee and districts issue documents clearly defining priority candidates for admission, creating a legal basis for classification. In which, priority can be considered for admission according to the order of specific cases of each region.

"This priority goal is to facilitate parents in picking up and dropping off their children and supplement the source of students for localities with low numbers of children of enrollment age due to regional characteristics. The priority regulations ensure transparency and publicity. Cases that are not in the priority category will be considered last, based on the remaining quotas of the schools and the decision of the local primary enrollment steering committee," the document stated.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tphcm-tuyen-bao-nhieu-hoc-sinh-lop-1-nam-hoc-2025-2026-185250410214103704.htm