What does the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education say about the English center that "held" billions of dollars and then closed?

(Dan Tri) - The Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City said it has not received a report about the "investor fleeing" and has transferred the legal documents of the Australian Language Center to the police.

No reports of "investors fleeing" have been received.

On May 19, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City reported to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City about the case of the Australian International Education Center (AIES) and Australian International Education Center 1, which many parents have complained about closing and going missing after they paid tuition for their children to study there.

According to the Department of Education and Training, after reviewing the legal documents, the Australian Foreign Language Center (address 182-184-186 Le Van Viet, Tang Nhon Phu B Ward, Thu Duc City) was established under Decision No. 248 and was permitted to operateeducation under Decision No. 640 in 2023, recognizing the Center Director with Ms. Tran My Ngoc, term 2023-2028, in Decision No. 759.

Australian Language Center closed (Photo: Long Hoang).

Australia Foreign Language Center 1 (address 729-731 Kha Van Can, Linh Tay Ward, Thu Duc City) was established under Decision No. 375 and was permitted to operate education under Decision No. 907, recognizing the Center Director for Ms. Tran My Ngoc, term 2023-2028, in Decision No. 1080.

The investor of the above two centers is Duy Khang Education - Training Company Limited, with Mr. Ho Dang Duy as director.

Regarding the operation situation, according to the Department of Education and Training, since being licensed, the Australian Language Center and Australian Language Center 1 have operated relatively stably; have made periodic reports and attended training sessions organized by the Department of Education and Training.

According to the first quarter report of 2025, the Australian Language Center has 7 Vietnamese teachers (no foreign teachers), 4 Vietnamese staff, one director, enrolling 14 classes with 172 students.

Australia Language Center 1 has 5 Vietnamese teachers (no foreign teachers), 4 Vietnamese staff, one director, enrolling 12 classes with 144 students.

The most recent inspection of the Department of Education and Training's operations of the above two centers took place in July 2023. After the inspection, the unit sent a report on the corrective measures to the Department of Education and Training.

The Department of Education and Training has not received reports of suspension of operations from these two centers. Regarding the information about "investors fleeing", the centers have not reported to the Department of Education and Training.

Transfer the file to the police

In response to this incident, the Department of Education and Training has transferred information about the legal records of the two above-mentioned centers to the City Police (PC03).

At the same time, the Department also proactively worked with Linh Tay Ward Police and Tang Nhon Phu B Ward Police (where the two centers are located) to obtain information.

In the coming time, the Department of Education and Training will continue to coordinate with the City Police and the police of the two wards to grasp the situation; organize citizen reception to receive information and guide citizens to contact the competent authorities for consideration and resolution.

Parents declare information and tuition fees paid to the Australian Language Center (Photo: Long Hoang).

The Department of Education and Training synthesizes relevant documents and evidence to consider suspending educational activities of the above two centers and recommends that the City Police revoke the seal according to regulations.

Also in the report, the Department of Education and Training proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee direct the City Police to continue to monitor and ensure security and order in the area, and coordinate to provide the Department of Education and Training with information related to the Australian Foreign Language Center and Australian Foreign Language Center 1.

As Dan Tri reported, in recent days, hundreds of parents whose children are studying at the Australian International Language Center (AIES) at Kha Van Can and Le Van Duyet campuses have expressed their concern that they have paid billions of dong in tuition fees but the center has completely cut off contact with the parents. More than a week ago, the center's leadership announced that it would temporarily suspend operations due to heavy rain and high tides earlier this month.

Specifically, the announcement posted on May 8 at Kha Van Can facility and announced in the Zalo group of parents stated that due to the impact of the weather with widespread heavy rain, major problems with the facilities have not been resolved in time and the safety of students has not been ensured, the center will temporarily suspend teaching for one week, from May 8-14 to repair the entire system.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/vu-trung-tam-tieng-anh-om-tien-ty-roi-dong-cua-so-giao-duc-tphcm-noi-gi-20250519195134615.htm