Unified exemption of tuition fees for students nationwide, directly provided to private students

On the morning of May 11, the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Society held its second plenary session to give opinions on the draft law and resolution to be submitted to the National Assembly at its ongoing 9th session, including a resolution on universalizing preschool education for children aged 3-5 and exempting tuition fees for students from preschool to high school.

Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh spoke at the meeting, saying that the Government and the National Assembly agreed to exempt tuition fees for students nationwide and provide direct tuition support for private students.

PHOTO: NGHIA DUC

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Committee for Culture and Society Nguyen Dac Vinh said that the resolution on universalizing preschool education for preschool children from 2 to 5 years old and exempting tuition fees for preschool children and primary school students is the institutionalization of the policy of the Party Central Committee and the Politburo .

Regarding the method of implementing tuition exemption for students nationwide from the 2025-2026 school year, Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh said that for students at public schools, there has been a high level of consensus, the state budget will compensate the school so that students do not have to pay tuition anymore.

For non-public sectors (private or non-public schools with preschools), the State will calculate equivalent costs to support students in this sector, ensuring that students nationwide, whether studying in public or private schools, enjoy the tuition-free policy.

However, regarding the method of paying the tuition fee exemption support, Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh said that initially, the Government proposed a plan to pay through educational institutions. The appraisal agency discussed with the Government that implementing the plan of paying directly to students through their families and guardians would be better, fairer and more secure.

"Paying through educational institutions is a bit easier. But at private schools, for example, the school's tuition fee is 5 million VND, after the State supports 1.5 million VND/student, will the school reduce the tuition fee for students or not? So it is best that the tuition fee is an agreement between the student's family and the school, and the State supports tuition fees and pays directly to the student," Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh stated and informed that the Government has also accepted and agreed to this plan.

The 2nd plenary session of the Committee on Culture and Society on the morning of May 11

PHOTO: NGHIA DUC

Regarding the support for private students, Mr. Vinh said that according to current regulations, tuition support will not be provided for students in areas with enough public schools.

However, according to Mr. Vinh, "the law stipulates that, but in reality, it is difficult to determine where there are enough public schools to not support." Therefore, the viewpoint of the Standing Committee of the Law Committee is to support all non-public students, without determining whether there are enough public schools in that area or not.

Support lunch for students in border communes from the 2025 - 2026 school year

Emphasizing that both resolutions submitted to the National Assembly this time are very humane policies, Chairman Nguyen Dac Vinh noted that the important thing is to design regulations to ensure the legality and institutionalization of these policies.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Vinh also informed that at this session, the National Assembly is expected to decide on another policy, which is to support lunch for students in border communes.

"Our committee will also examine this issue. We have also made recommendations on how to balance the budget, and this is a very humane and necessary policy," Mr. Vinh emphasized.

Previously, at a working session with the Government Party Committee, ministries and branches on preparing the Politburo's resolution on educational and training breakthroughs and some policies to support teaching and learning, General Secretary To Lam concluded and agreed on the State's policy of supporting lunch for primary and secondary school students in border communes, with priority given to mountainous border communes (including ethnic minority students and Kinh students living in border communes).

The General Secretary noted that the policy of supporting lunch meals must be implemented according to a roadmap, in accordance with the country's economic situation. During the implementation process, it is necessary to strengthen inspection and supervision, and strictly prohibit the reduction of students' meal standards.

Initially, it will be implemented in land border communes, starting from the 2025-2026 school year (September 2025). Based on the implementation results, a preliminary review will be conducted to gradually expand nationwide. Localities that can balance the budget are encouraged to immediately implement this policy.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thong-nhat-mien-hoc-phi-hoc-sinh-ca-nuoc-cap-truc-tiep-cho-hoc-sinh-tu-thuc-185250511101842555.htm