Vietnam - High-school students put off by high fees

HCM CITY — Many private high schools in HCM City have enrolled fewer 10th-grade students for the upcoming 2012-13 school year because of higher school fees.

Private schools, including Au Lac, Phan Boi Chau and Thai Binh Duong, have increased school fees by 30 per cent.

Le Van Linh, principal of Thanh Binh High School, told Giao Duc (Education) newspaper he did not have enough applications to fulfil his enrollment quota of 760 students, compared to last year when enrollment exceeded the quota. As of now, he lacks 100 students.

Pham Thanh Tam, principal of Hong Duc High School, said the number of applicants for his 10th-grade class has fallen about 20 per cent.

Only 400 places were filled out of the enrollment quota of 550 for his school.

Hong Ha High School also has enrolled only half of its quota, according to Ha Thi Kim Sa, the school's principal.

Many parents said the increased school fees were to blame.

Dang Hoang Nhung of Binh Thanh District said tuition at private schools was two to three times higher than public schools.

Nhung said she chose a vocational school for her son to continue his studies.

VNA

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