HCMC: Queuing up from the night before to buy application forms for children to enter first grade

Since the previous evening, parents have brought chairs to line up in front of the school gate on Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) - Photo: PHCC

The whole family waited in line.

TA's parent (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City) said that because of the recent work, he brought a chair to Ngo Thoi Nhiem street to wait since 8:00 p.m. last night.

Stressed out buying application forms for their children to enter first grade, some parents lined up all night

"My husband, my younger brother and I took turns waiting here, bringing folding chairs to sit on so our legs wouldn't get tired. Every year, parents wait, and this year I did too, because we were afraid of losing our child's place in school. Since morning, parents have been allowed to sit inside the school, but it was still very difficult. Parents didn't dare go to the toilet for fear of losing their place. I even asked relatives to wait in case something happened so I could call for support," said parent A.

Arriving at school early in the morning, NH's parents (Tan Phu district) were shocked to see that there were about 200 parents already waiting. "To be able to go inside and wait, parents must present their citizen identification and the child's birth certificate. I left early in the morning so I only prepared a bottle of water and a few potatoes. Since I was going alone, I was afraid of standing up and losing my seat.

"Wanting to send their children to study here, almost all parents are willing to take time off work to wait all day, some even bring their children along, it's very pitiful. Parents are all in the mood to prepare food and drinks to last until the afternoon" - Ms. H. said

A parent from HN (District 3) said they came to wait to buy the application form for their son to study. "My husband and I were afraid we wouldn't be able to buy the application form for our son. I came out last night, and both my husband and I took time off to come here. Waiting is very tiring, and seeing so many parents makes me even more worried. My husband and I have consulted many schools, knowing that this is an advanced and integrated school, so we want our son to study here to have a good foundation of knowledge" - parent N. said.

Parents waiting outside the school hallway on the morning of June 17 - Photo: PHCC

Bustling food supply

In the 2024-2025 school year, Saigon University Practice Primary School will enroll 150 first graders. Applications will be released from 2:00 p.m. on June 17 and applications will begin to be accepted from June 19.

“I came here to line up since 5am. Then I had to ask my mother to take my place so I could run to work for a bit. Now I will take my mother’s place, and then I will leave around 2:30pm,” said Mr. P., a parent who took the place of a family member.

At 9am this morning, at the back gate of Saigon University Practice Primary School, many parents had lined up since early morning to enter the school lobby to wait for the release of documents. The school gate was now closed and no more parents were allowed in because there were no more "slots".

Due to lining up early in the morning, many parents “hadn’t eaten anything” or had not prepared enough documents for their children. From 9am to 10am on June 17, the school gate was bustling with parents coming in to “take over” for their family members, provide food or have food and drinks delivered.

“I’ve been running several errands bringing bread and drinks here since this morning. Every time there are dozens of loaves of bread and dozens of glasses of various drinks” - a delivery man was holding a bunch of food and drinks waiting to call parents to the gate to chat.

Many parents who arrived at 9-10am were unable to get in to line up - Photo: MY DUNG

Meanwhile, from 9am onwards, gate 2 of Saigon University Practice Primary School was closed. Parents outside who wanted to replace their family members had to call their family members to the gate to pick them up, replace them and present their citizen identification cards to compare with the birth certificate of the child applying for admission.

After 10am, dozens of parents continued to come to the school gate to ask to enter to wait in line for the issuance of admission documents, but were not allowed in because "the queue has reached the limit of documents to be issued. Even if you go in, you will not be able to buy the documents, it will be a waste of time waiting".

Parents bring their ID cards and birth certificates, bring bread and water inside to wait to buy documents for their children to enter first grade - Photo: PHCC

The school recruits 150 students.

In the 2024-2025 school year, Saigon University Practice Primary School will enroll 150 students, a decrease of 25 students compared to the previous school year. Applications are expected to be submitted from June 19 to June 20. On July 1, the school will announce the admission results.

The school was established in 2019, affiliated with Saigon University.

The school operates according to the model of an advanced, internationally integrated school, with 2 main classes per day. In addition, the school enrolls students in integrated classes. Tuition will be collected according to the regulations of an advanced, integrated school.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-xep-hang-tu-toi-hom-truoc-mua-ho-so-cho-con-vao-lop-1-20240617104853775.htm