Studying during regular school hours still charges extra tuition

(Baonghean) - Entering the 2011-2012 school year, many kindergartens in Vinh City (Hoa My, Binh Minh, Ha Huy Tap, Quang Trung 1, Hung Dung 2,...) competed to organize English classes for preschool children. Children participating in English classes must pay tuition fees of 550,000 VND/child/three-month course (some schools charge a lower fee). Teaching English to preschool children would not be a big deal if it were done outside of regular school hours, but it is done during regular school hours but still collects extra tuition fees from children.

In particular, in the documents of the Nghe An Department of Education and Training guiding the implementation of preschool education tasks for the 4 school years, from 2008-2009 to 2011-2012, there is no requirement to organize English teaching for preschool children. However, according to an officer in charge of the Preschool Education Department, Nghe An Department of Education and Training, the Department encourages preschools with conditions to organize English teaching for children, but it must be done outside of regular school hours. The fact that some preschools organize English teaching for preschool children during regular school hours is wrong, because it is cutting into the program prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training. Moreover, teaching during regular school hours and collecting tuition fees, it turns out that during these hours, children have to pay tuition fees twice. That is not to mention the quality of foreign language teaching at the schools is still a question mark.

In addition to English, many kindergartens in Vinh City also organize classes during regular school hours and collect tuition for some special subjects such as Painting and Dancing.

It is known that the Department of Preschool Education will direct the correction of the above situation. The Director of the Department of Education and Training of Nghe An has also issued a document requesting schools to organize the refund of illegal fees to parents and organize a review and handling of school principals who have committed violations.

Hoang Oanh