American International School lacks 96 billion VND to teach in person for the rest of the school year

After more than a week of launching, parents contributed nearly 28.5 billion VND to the American International School (AISVN), still lacking 96.5 billion VND to operate until the end of the school year.

In an open letter dated April 9, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training said that since April 1, when the appeal began, 748 parents of the American International School have agreed to contribute money to maintain the school's operations until the end of this school year.

As of 3pm yesterday, the account jointly owned by AISVN, the Department and parents received nearly 28.5 billion VND. After paying salaries, insurance for teachers, staff and expenses for teaching activities, the remaining amount was more than 9.5 billion VND.

"We acknowledge and sincerely thank parents for their sharing and companionship," the letter stated.

However, the Department estimates that the current balance "cannot sustain in-person instruction for all students until the end of the school year."

The Department said it had met with representatives of 748 parents and accepted the proposal to teach in person to students whose families had contributed to support, and to teach online to those who had not. However, the Department "still prioritizes the solution of students going to school directly."

"Therefore, we hope that parents will join hands, agree and contribute to support the school's operating costs so that students' learning in the last months of the school year is not interrupted," the open letter stated.

Gate of the American International School in Nha Be district, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Le Nguyen — Gate of the American International School in Nha Be district, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: *Le Nguyen*

Previously on March 30, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em, Chairwoman of the School Board, said that AISVN was facing financial difficulties and needed VND125 billion to operate until the end of June. She hoped that parents would support an additional VND9.5-25.5 million per student per month, in addition to the tuition packages already paid. These supports from parents are considered a short-term loan, which the school will repay when it stabilizes its operations or convert into shares.

AISVN was established in 2006, with a campus in Nha Be district. The school currently has more than 1,310 students, most of whom study the International Baccalaureate program (grades 1 to 12). AISVN's tuition is 280-725 million VND per year, depending on the level of study. Last July, the school attracted attention when parents gathered to demand debt. On March 18, all students had to take a day off because most teachers did not show up to teach due to unpaid wages.

Since the beginning of April, thanks to contributions from parents, AISVN students have returned to school and studied according to the correct schedule.

Thanh Hang

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