A seminar on matters pertaining to preparations for the new school year was held yesterday by the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee at its offices.

Huynh Cong Minh, head of HCMC Department of Education and Training(Photo:U.Phuong)

At the seminar, Huynh Cong Minh, head of the HCMC Department of Education and Training, stressed that ninth year graduates will only enroll in schools in their district – hence, every district’s authority must build enough schools in time for next year.

He added that not until 2010-2015 will class size decrease to 30 students per class. Currently, the average class size is 50 students.

To answer public concerns over tuition fees for the new school year, Mr. Minh said that schooling and facilities collection will be kept at the same level, because no guidance on the matter has been issued.

While the new school year is fast approaching, construction of the primary school at Vinh Khanh Street in District 4 has not been completed. Accordingly, primary pupils will have to attend Chi Lang High School, squeezed once more into cramped classrooms.

The construction of Hiep Tan Primary School is not completed although the new school year is fast approaching

The teachers and pupils of Hiep Binh Phuoc Primary School in Thu Duc District are in the same situation, studying in a ramshackle school on Roadway 13. The headmaster stated that he has repeatedly asked for help for his pupils. As a result, the Thu Duc People’s Committee built thirteen more classrooms, but construction is still in progress.

In the working session on August 2, Deputy Chairman of the HCMC Fatherland Front Committee Le Hieu Dang raised the question, “There is a paradox as some district authorities claimed no space for building a school while at the same time reserving land for individuals to build upon.”

Mr. Minh was in accord with Mr. Dang that some district authorities have paid too little attention to building schools, affirming that education leaders will have to build enough schools for students despite difficulties.

Mr. Dan also called for the seminar’s participants to help the education sector by seeking land on which to build schools.

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