Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan: Proud to be the only ASEAN country with free tuition from kindergarten to high school

Delegate Nguyen Thien Nhan (HCMC) - Photo: QP

Delegate Nguyen Thien Nhan (HCMC) - former Minister of Education and Training - made this statement at the group discussion session on draft resolutions on tuition exemption and tuition support for preschool children, general education students, and those studying general education programs at educational institutions in the national education system; universalizing preschool education for preschool children from 3 to 5 years old.

Free tuition, happiness for a nation

Talking about the resolution on tuition exemption and support, Mr. Nhan expressed that this policy is "happiness for a nation".

The delegate said that after 1945, Uncle Ho said that we must eradicate "ignorance" and "hunger". Currently, preschooleducation , especially for children aged 3-5, is extremely important because this is the basic stage that shapes children's neurological activities.

Guiding children in content, communication, perception, learning about nature and physical exercise will create a good foundation for their comprehensive development when entering grade 1.

Delegate Nguyen Thien Nhan recounted that in 2010, when he was a National Assembly delegate of Bac Giang province, he visited a kindergarten. When he asked if there were any difficulties in paying tuition fees, the teachers said that once a parent paid tuition fees with 2 dogs because the family had nothing that could be sold to make money.

He never forgot that incident, and brought it up again to show the hardship of the people and the importance of free education.

"Children in rural and mountainous areas who do not attend preschool will be at a disadvantage when entering primary school and will not be prepared. Especially in mountainous areas, if they do not attend preschool, they will not be able to speak Kinh when entering primary school," said Mr. Nhan.

As someone who has worked in the education sector for a long time, and is also a father and grandfather, I was very happy to see the Politburo's policy of exempting tuition fees for preschool children, primary and secondary school students.

Delegate NGUYEN THIEN NHAN

Show the humanity of the country

The former Minister of Education and Training recalled that in 2010, after completing universal primary and secondary education, there was a policy on the next universalization goal. Accordingly, instead of universalizing high school, he and the leaders of the Ministry of Education and Training proposed universalizing 5-year-old preschool.

In theory, universal preschool education for 3-5 year olds is best, but due to budget and teacher constraints, the Ministry of Education and Training at that time proposed universalizing it for 5 year olds before 2015.

Although achieving this goal is 2 years late, Vietnam is still the only country in ASEAN that aims to universalize 5-year-old preschool education and considers it a citizen's right.

Mr. Nhan recalled that in the early stages of implementing universal preschool education for 5-year-olds, Vietnam faced many difficulties due to the lack of teachers on the payroll and low incomes of teachers. However, thanks to this policy, about 80,000 preschool teachers nationwide in the 2010-2015 period were put on the payroll, helping to stabilize the team.

Currently, the country's economic conditions have improved, and the Ministry of Education and Training has also prepared a plan to universalize education for 3-4 year old children, so according to him, the Politburo's policy of exempting tuition fees this time is a very correct decision.

"Our country is not the richest country in ASEAN and many countries in the region have higher per capita income than Vietnam, but they do not have that goal, they only universalize education from primary school up. I see the results of phase 1 as a very important premise," Mr. Nhan emphasized.

Mr. Nhan expressed his belief that with the policy of free tuition for both preschool and primary schools, we will have a reasonable budget balance plan.

According to him, localities should proactively advance funds if the central government has not yet poured money in. In addition, it is necessary to urgently add teachers for 3-4 year old classes and strengthen facilities for kindergartens and other levels of education.

"We have the right to be proud to be the only country in ASEAN that offers free tuition from kindergarten to high school, demonstrating the country's humanity. This is an investment for the future. Once again, as a citizen and a long-time worker in the education sector, I would like to thank the Politburo for its wise and timely direction and the careful preparation of the Ministry of Education and Training and the Government," Mr. Nhan expressed.

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TIEN LONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-nguyen-thien-nhan-tu-hao-nuoc-duy-nhat-asean-mien-hoc-phi-tu-mam-non-den-pho-thong-20250522165103796.htm