VietNamNet Bridge – More than 125,000 children are expected to register for first grade next month, an increase of 11,000 that places primary schools at risk of overcrowding, according to the municipal Department of Education and Training.

More than 125,000 children are expected to register for first grade next month, an increase of 11,000 that places primary schools at risk of overcrowding, according to the municipal Department of Education and Training.—File Photo

The popular belief that those born in the Year of the Golden Pig following the lunar year – an event that occurs once every 60 years – enjoy especially lucky and prosperous lives meant that many children were born in 2007. However, as they enter primary school, this poses a serious challenge for many schools. These include Quang Trung and Thang Long schools in Hoan Kiem District, Kim Lien and Nam Thanh Cong schools in Dong Da District and Le Ngoc Han and Le Van Tam school in Hai Ba Trung District.

A survey by Cau Giay District's education and training division revealed that the number of incoming first graders in the district rose by 500 since last year, meaning that each class would have around 55 students.

Under current regulations, each class is allowed to have at most 35 students.

Hai Ba Trung and Dong Da districts also saw an increase of between 800-900 children preparing to enroll in the first grade this academic year.

Although primary schools don't officially start enrollment until July, many parents started seeking out spots for their children months in advance.

"I tried to register my son at three public schools but all of them were overcrowded," said Nguyen Que Phuong, a parent in Thanh Xuan District. "Luckily, I finally found a seat for him at a school, although it doesn't officially open for enrollment until next month."

The school, she said, was expected to be overcrowded this academic year, with 55-60 students per class – an increase of 10-15 students in comparison with last year.

In order to avoid overcrowding in city schools, the municipal Department of Education and Training has been working with relevant agencies and People's Committees of districts and communes to make enrollment more efficient for both parents and students.

At a recent online meeting with both urban and suburban districts, the department's Deputy Director Pham Van Dai said district education and training officers were responsible for creating enrollment plans and submitting them to local People's Committees for approval.

The focus would be on finding out the number of school-age children to ensure enough seats for them at schools and adequately informing parents and students about enrollment procedures, he said.

Source: VNS