There is still the situation of arbitrary collection of study abroad fees in Dien Chau.

Survey team at OLYMPIC DC English Center in Dien Chau district. Photo: Minh Chi

Surveying at the G-GATE Technology Joint Stock Company Branch (Dien Thanh Commune) - a unit that organizes Japanese study abroad consulting, the survey team noted that this unit had many sources of revenue, from language learning, organizing Japanese proficiency tests, translating and notarizing documents, completing documents... with a total of 58 million VND/person (not including the cost of studying for the first year and dormitory fees for the first 6 months in the host country, about 166 - 177 million VND/person).

At the Study Abroad Consulting Center of VIET JOB Trading and Service Company Limited, according to the report of Deputy Director Tran Anh Vinh, the unit only collects fees for language lessons, translation, diploma confirmation, sending documents and airfare, with a total of 15 - 20 million VND/person.

In addition, there is also a situation of "false" advice on the income level during the study period of international students abroad, causing unhealthy competition for consulting units that provide accurate and honest advice about the nature of international students. On the other hand, the effectiveness of study abroad consulting of the 2 units that the delegation surveyed was not effective, each unit only sent 2-3 people to study abroad each year.

Survey team at G-GATE Technology Joint Stock Company Branch. Photo: Minh Chi

Also in Dien Chau district, the delegation also conducted a survey of a number of foreign language centers and facilities. Through the survey at 3 centers and facilities (in Dien Tho, Dien Thanh communes and the town), there was 1 center that, although it had submitted its application to the province since May 2018, had not yet been granted a license and 1 facility had a license that had expired since June 2018 and had not been reissued.

Faced with practical issues raised by the survey team at a meeting with the Department of Education and Training of Dien Chau district on the afternoon of August 30, Head of the Department of Education and Training of the district Mai Ngoc Long admitted: "The Department does not have the concept or mindset to manage the activities of study abroad consulting units in the area."

Regarding the State management of foreign language training centers, Mr. Mai Ngoc Long said that when conducting appraisals before granting operating licenses to foreign language centers and facilities (under the authority of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Education and Training), the Department was invited to participate, but after that, the Department of Education and Training did not send any licensed facilities and centers to the unit for monitoring and management.

Mr. Mai Ngoc Long - Head of the Department of Education and Training of Dien Chau district admitted that the unit is not yet able to manage foreign language facilities and centers in the area. Photo: Minh Chi

Therefore, apart from the 5 centers that self-report to the Department or coordinate with schools, the Department of Education and Training does not know how many licensed foreign language centers and facilities are in Dien Chau district. Regarding the commune-level authorities, there are no regulations mentioning responsibilities and in reality, they are not interested. Therefore, it is recommended that the province re-study the management mechanism and clearly define the State management responsibilities for foreign language centers and facilities.

From the shortcomings pointed out by the survey team, especially regarding the regulations on the responsibility of State management of foreign language training centers, facilities and study abroad consulting units for the Department of Education and Training, the Deputy Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council requested the Department of Education and Training of Dien Chau district to pay attention to the quality of activities of foreign language training centers, facilities and study abroad consulting units in the area because these are activities related to students of the schools under their management.