Free tuition: One decision, millions of hearts agree

Imprints from major policies

Recently, the Government submitted to the National Assembly a draft Resolution of the National Assembly on exemption and support of tuition fees for preschool children, high school students, and students of generaleducation programs at educational institutions in the national education system.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that based on the conclusions and directions of competent authorities, the Government submitted to the National Assembly tuition exemption for preschool children, high school students, and those studying general education programs at public educational institutions.

Exempting tuition fees helps reduce financial burdens and ensure educational equity in the context of an aging population and rising living costs. Photo: Le An

At the same time, tuition support will be provided for preschool children, high school students, and those studying general education programs at private and public educational institutions. The level of tuition support will be decided by the Provincial People's Council. The Government proposes to apply the policy from the 2025-2026 school year.

Regarding tuition support for students at private educational institutions, Minister Nguyen Kim Son explained that 5-year-old preschool children at private institutions, primary school students at private schools in areas where there are not enough public schools, and secondary school students at private institutions are receiving tuition support from the state budget.

Therefore, the provision of support for both students at public and private educational institutions fully demonstrates the superiority of the regime, ensures consistent implementation of policies, fairness in access to education; encourages the development of non-public education, and enhances the socialization of education. The above provision is also consistent with the 2013 Constitution, the Law on Education, and the Conclusions and Directions of the Politburo.

The driving force behind creating the future

Talking to reporters of Cong Thuong Newspaper about the issue of tuition exemption, Dr. Tran Duy, Head of the Journalism Department, Faculty of Multimedia (Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology) said: Tuition exemption is not only an educational policy, it is a strong statement about a society that is ready to create a foundation for fair development for all members. When the policy of tuition exemption is put forward, we expect it to be a step forward in development thinking, a firm commitment to protecting the right to access comprehensive education.

Dr. Tran Duy, Head of Journalism Department, Faculty of Multimedia (Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology). Photo: NVCC

“ I believe that behind the financial and budget calculations, there are millions of dreams that continue, millions of doors that do not close for economic reasons. Free tuition is a humane support for children in remote areas, children of workers and farmers. These are vulnerable groups in the education system if there is no timely support policy ,” Dr. Tran Duy shared.

Dr. Tran Duy said that he has witnessed many talented students having to leave school because their families were too poor. The tuition-free policy will be a shield to prevent such situations from happening again. It is a long-term investment, bringing double benefits to human development and social stability. A country that knows how to invest in education is a country that is choosing the most sustainable path to development.

“ Free tuition does not mean free of responsibility. The government covers the costs, but parents, the community and schools need to work together to create a quality, innovative and disciplined educational environment. We not only need schools and classrooms, but also education that reaches the heart, ” Dr. Tran Duy said.

However, according to Dr. Tran Duy, the tuition exemption policy will not be able to fully promote its effectiveness without a synchronous support ecosystem for increasing investment in facilities, increasing teachers' income, improving programs, and promoting equality in access to digital knowledge. Tuition exemption needs to go hand in hand with improving the quality of education.

“ The decision to exempt tuition fees will spread strongly in society, not only the sympathy of millions of hearts, but also the motivation for us to together create a future where no one has to choose between food and education ,” Dr. Tran Duy acknowledged.

Previously, on May 22, during the 9th Session, the National Assembly discussed in the draft group the Resolution of the National Assembly on tuition exemption and support for preschool children, general education students, and those studying general education programs at educational institutions in the national education system. Here, the delegates all said that the tuition exemption policy represents a major step forward in educational equity, creating equal learning opportunities for all children nationwide.

At the same time, delegates noted that the tuition support policy is only part of the overall education development policy. To create sustainable changes, it is necessary to synchronize mechanisms to encourage socialization. Currently, preferential policies for non-public education are limited and lack appeal, causing many localities to lack both public and non-public schools.

According to statistics for the 2023-2024 school year, the country currently has 23.2 million students. The total funding requirement calculated based on the average minimum tuition fees of the three regions (urban, rural, mountainous) in Decree No. 81/2021/ND-CP and Decree No. 97/2023/ND-CP is about 30.6 trillion VND.

The specific budget level to be guaranteed will depend on the specific tuition fee level of each province or centrally-run city under the authority of the Provincial People's Council.

Of which, the total state budget that has been and will be exempted, not collected, and supported tuition fees from September 1, 2025 according to current regulations is 22.4 trillion VND. The estimated state budget amount that must be supplemented when the National Assembly Resolution is issued is 8.2 trillion VND.

Thanh Binh

Source: https://congthuong.vn/mien-hoc-phi-mot-quyet-dinh-trieu-trai-tim-dong-tinh-389194.html