VietNamNet Bridge - As many as 352,000 students passed exams to enter universities in the first enrollment period, but only 242,000 students have turned up to start school, while 110,000 students have rejected the opportunity. 

August 7 was the deadline for students to confirm their enrollment, but 30 percent of the students did not follow necessary procedures, according to the Ministry of Education and Training.

Fifty-seven schools reported a high rate of students, 90 percent or more. At least 74 schools reported 70-90 percent, while 65 schools reported 50-70 percent.

Kinh Bac University called up 310 students out of 750 students it plans to enroll. However, by 6.30 pm on August 7, only one student had turned up.

Vinh City Industry University called up 114 out of 275 students, but only two students have confirmed.

Other local universities also called up hundreds of students, but fewer than 10 students came to the school. 

Nguyen Duc Minh, vice president of the HCM City Industry University, said many students rejected their opportunities because of high tuition. When registering, students just tried to find the schools which have required scores closer to their exam scores. Later, when they heard about the tuition they had to pay, they decided to give up.

As many as 352,000 students passed exams to enter universities in the first enrollment period, but only 242,000 students have turned up to start school, while 110,000 students have rejected the opportunity.

Truong Tien Sy from HCM City Banking University commented that students now have many choices. Many of them want to study abroad, or follow joint training programs in Vietnam organized by Vietnamese schools in cooperation with international schools. And others have given up studying after hearing about the high jobless rate of graduates.

A high school teacher in Hanoi said he knows many students who choose top-tier junior colleges instead of mid-tier or less prestigious universities.

In the past, state-owned universities were always the first choice for students. However, since many now operate under financial autonomy, the tuition they set is high for many students. 

Minister of Education and Training Phung Xuan Nha said there was no need to be too worried about the fact that 110,000 students were rejected to go to schools they applied. He said prestigious schools always attract students, while training establishments with low quality cannot.

Nguyen Quoc Cuong from the HCM City Professional Education Association said the economy only needs 12 percent of total workers with bachelor’s degrees and since 2008, about 48 percent of bachelor’s degree graduates are jobless each year.

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