VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City People's Committee has decided to adjust school tuition fees for nursery to high school students in the coming school years.

Accordingly, tuition for the 2013-2014 school year will increase by three times, and tuition for the next school year will quadruple.

Students who live in five suburban districts only have to pay VND10-60,000 less than students live in the city. In addition, primary school students will be exempted from the plan even though tuition fees for nurseries increase. Students attending secondary and high schools will also see the increase.

The authorities said current school fees are not calculated appropriately, and do not cover the costs of government spending on schools.

Due to low fees, several schools have tried other means of raising funds, causing a lack of transparency in school finance.

On June 12, during a meeting with local Social and Cultural Division, representatives from schools in District 1 and 7 expressed their displeasure with the low school fees.

However, head of the division Huynh Cong Hung said, "Raising school fees will affect poor people and those who live near poverty lines. But the state budget is also limited."

The municipal People's Council will review the proposal and give its decision in the 10th session next week.

HCM City Department of Education will also set up and assign new fees for specialty public schools.

Source: DTriNews