Controversy at AISVN School: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training speaks out.

Many students from AISVN returned to school this morning, March 19th, but had to leave early due to a shortage of teachers in their classes - Photo: TRAN HUYNH

"Following the incident where AISVN (American International School Vietnam) unexpectedly suspended classes, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training invited Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of AISVN, to a meeting. However, on the afternoon of March 19th, Ms. Ut Em only sent a representative," said Mr. Ho Tan Minh, Chief of the Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training.

"We have received many complaints from parents of AISVN school. However, some of the issues raised fall outside the department's jurisdiction, such as transactions, loan agreements, and investments between parents and the school..."

"Late in the afternoon of March 19th, the department sent a delegation of officials to AISVN School to work directly with the school. Initially, the department will focus on addressing the educational needs of AISVN students," Mr. Minh said.

AISVN School: Students return to school, but mainly to play.

It has been reported that on March 18th, all students at AISVN School had to temporarily suspend classes. According to an email sent by Ms. Ut Em to all parents, the school temporarily suspended classes on March 18th to focus on resolving personnel and financial issues. This has caused many parents to feel upset and worried.

By March 19th, despite the announcement that students would be returning to school, many teachers at AISVN School did not come to teach. Some parents said they brought their children to school but had to sit in the canteen because there were no teachers to instruct.

Meanwhile, AISVN school stated that it is facing serious financial difficulties, owing salaries and insurance benefits to teachers and staff.

Parents previously went to AISVN school to "demand payment".

In September 2023, AISVN School was confronted by numerous parents demanding payment of outstanding tuition fees, which were considered "educational investment" payments that the school had signed with parents through an educational investment contract, to be repaid after 5 to 15 years of the student's enrollment at the school.

In return, AISVN will provide the main curriculum free of charge to students.

Immediately afterwards, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training held a meeting with the school board to assess the overall situation of the school.

AISVN is a multi-level school system from kindergarten to grade 12 with over 1,300 students currently enrolled. According to the announcement, tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year range from 280 million VND to a maximum of 725 million VND per year, not including various other expenses.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vu-lum-xum-o-truong-aisvn-so-giao-duc-va-dao-tao-tp-hcm-len-tieng-20240319173519297.htm