Tuition support for non-public students: Humane and innovative policy

GD&TĐ - In addition to the tuition exemption policy for public students, from the 2025-2026 school year, preschool children and primary school students in private and non-public educational institutions in the national education system will receive tuition support.

Ensuring equity in access to education

Recently, the Government issued Decree No. 238/2025/ND-CP regulating policies on tuition fees, exemption, reduction, tuition support, support for learning costs and service prices in the field of education and training (Decree 238).

One of the new points of this Decree is: Preschool children, high school students, and students of general education programs (students studying regular education programs at the junior high school level and students studying regular education programs at the high school level) in non-public and private educational institutions in the national education system are supported with tuition fees at the level prescribed by the Provincial People's Council, but not exceeding the collection level of these institutions.

Receiving information about the policy of exempting, reducing and supporting tuition fees for students, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, Da Phuc commune ( Hanoi ) could not hide her joy because it would reduce the financial burden. She shared that both husband and wife are workers, with an average monthly income of about 17 - 18 million VND. The family has three children, of which the eldest daughter is studying in grade 11 at a non-public school, and the two younger children are studying at a public secondary school near home.

“My husband and I are always under financial pressure. Many times, when we want to send our children to extra classes, we have to calculate and consider whether we have enough money to cover the expenses. Now that our children are exempted from tuition fees and have support, we have less trouble and can take better care of them,” Yen confided.

From the school side, many opinions said that this policy creates more conditions for teachers and students to feel secure in teaching and learning well. Parents expressed high consensus, considering this a timely source of encouragement, helping them feel more confident in accompanying their children on their learning journey.

Dr. Nguyen Tung Lam - Vice President of the Vietnam Psychology Association, founder of Dinh Tien Hoang High School (Hanoi) acknowledged that the tuition support policy was implemented in the context of many working families and workers still facing economic difficulties, so it has practical significance, contributing to ensuring fairness in access to education.

The above policy clearly demonstrates the viewpoint of “leaving no one behind”, and at the same time affirms the State’s concern for the young generation - the future owners of the country. The impact of the policy does not only stop at reducing the financial burden on each household, but also creates motivation for society to join hands to improve the quality of education, towards the goal of sustainable development.

First grade students at the Japanese International School (Hanoi). Photo: NTCC

Clear and transparent regulations, tight control of revenues

Affirming that this is a humane policy, Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc - Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs emphasized the superiority of the regime, and highly appreciated the assurance of consistency in policy implementation and fairness in access to education when beneficiaries range from public to private schools.

In addition to the tuition exemption policy for preschool children, high school students, and students of general education programs at public educational institutions and tuition support for the corresponding subjects, Ms. Tran Khanh Thu (National Assembly Delegation of Hung Yen province) acknowledged that tuition support for students at private educational institutions is a breakthrough step, full of humanity.

Giving comments, according to delegates, it is necessary to develop principles to determine the level of support so that it is fair and reasonable, while giving priority to remote areas, ethnic minorities and areas with difficult and especially difficult economic conditions. This is the way to both affirm the humanity of the policy and contribute to narrowing the development gap between regions, so that all children have the opportunity to go to school and enjoy practical support.

According to the provisions of Decree 238, the budget for implementing the policy of exemption, reduction and support of tuition fees and learning costs will be guaranteed by the State budget in accordance with the provisions of the law on budget management decentralization. The Central budget will support localities that have not yet balanced their budgets to implement the policy of exemption, reduction and support of tuition fees and learning costs prescribed in this Decree in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Prof. Dr. Pham Tat Dong - former Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Promoting Education acknowledged that exempting and supporting tuition fees for non-public students aims to ensure equal access to education for all children, regardless of school type; at the same time, it shows the interest of the National Assembly and the Government in reducing the burden of tuition fees for families, contributing to the universalization of education.

However, he also expressed concern about the risk of illegal “voluntary” revenues. When an official revenue is eliminated, other forms of funding may appear to fill the financial gap, through “voluntary” funds or non-transparent contributions.

This not only causes frustration among parents but also destroys the good meaning of the tuition exemption, reduction and support policy. Therefore, it is necessary to develop clear and transparent regulations on non-tuition fees (if any), strictly control "voluntary" fees, and strictly prohibit all forms of overcharging under the name of volunteering.

According to the Government's estimates, there are about 23 million preschool and primary school students each year. The total budget for implementing the tuition exemption and support policy is about 30,600 billion VND. For the 2025-2026 school year alone, the budget for 5-year-old preschool children, primary and secondary school students is 22,500 billion VND.

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/ho-tro-hoc-phi-cho-hoc-sinh-ngoai-cong-lap-chinh-sach-nhan-van-va-dot-pha-post748581.html