Poor to pay less for school: MoET
Poor families nationwide are expected to enjoy lower school fees in the near future, according to Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan.
Speaking at a conference to review the 2006-07 school year in Vung Tau City on Sunday, Nhan said his ministry had developed appropriate levels of school fees appropriate to the varying income levels throughout the country.
Former Minister Tran Hong Quan said the ministry’s new school fee project was a sensitive issue but that it could not be avoided. About 20 percent of the State budget was spent on education. Even if it was 25 per cent, it would be uncertain whether urgent issues could be solved.
"It is easy to see that the mobilisation from social resources for education is still low," said Quan.
Quan suggested the ministry avoid an entirely new school fee project. Instead, they should develop a policy where the system is not only fair, but also more efficiently uses the State budget and utilises more resources for educational development.
He continued by saying that the ministry’s policy would provide equal opportunities for students of poorer families by charging fees appropriate to the student’s economic situation. Businesses employing trained students would also pay a tax that would be used to subsidise education.
"The State will focus on universalised education. The public primary schools should not collect fees. Students will be trained to work for public services," said Quan.
He said students of high-quality schools and universities for military and police services would receive scholarships. The State budget must better provide for students; the new policy will support disadvantaged students but not subsidise everyone, including the most wealthy, as at present.
