Ho Chi Minh City requires schools to publicly post fees at the beginning of the school year. (Illustration photo)

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Duong Anh Duc has just issued a document directing the Department of Education and Training, People's Committees of districts and Thu Duc City to implement the instructions of the Ministry of Education and Training on the collection of fees in the field of education and training for the 2023-2024 school year.

Mr. Duc assigned, based on the functions and tasks of the above units, to direct educational institutions in the area to strictly implement the collection of fees in the field of education and training, ensuring compliance with current regulations.

"Absolutely do not allow the situation of "overcharging" at the beginning of the school year and during the implementation of educational activities; publicly post information about fees collected at the beginning of the school year; strictly handle violations (if any)", Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc emphasized.

According to the guidance in Official Dispatch 5459/BGDĐT-KHTC dated October 2 of the Ministry of Education and Training, the contents on tuition fees are being considered and decided by the Government. The draft Decree is built in the direction of: Maintaining stable tuition fees for public preschool, general education, and vocational education institutions from the 2023-2024 school year compared to the 2021-2022 school year.

For tuition fees of public higher education institutions, the tuition fee roadmap is delayed by 1 year compared to the tuition fee roadmap prescribed in Decree 81/2021/ND-CP; the regulations in Decree No. 81/2021/ND-CP on tuition fee exemption and reduction policies and support for learning costs continue to be implemented.

Policies on tuition exemption, reduction, and support for study costs this school year will be implemented according to the provisions of Decree No. 81/2021/ND-CP.

The Ministry of Education and Training requests localities to strengthen inspection, examination, supervision and be accountable to learners and society about the collection levels and revenues of educational institutions under their management in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 127/2018/ND-CP dated August 21, 2018 of the Government regulating the responsibility for state management of education.

Absolutely do not allow the situation of "overcharging" at the beginning of the school year; direct and thoroughly instruct educational institutions to mobilize, manage and use sponsorships and aids in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 16/2018/TT-BGDDT dated August 3, 2018 of the Ministry of Education and Training regulating sponsorship for educational institutions in the national education system.

Units must publicly disclose their commitment to the quality of education and training, conditions for ensuring quality, and financial revenues and expenditures according to Circular No. 36/2017/TT-BGDDT dated December 28, 2017 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating the Regulation on public disclosure for education and training institutions in the national education system; be accountable to learners and society for collection levels.

Regarding the prices of textbooks, educational materials and equipment, the Ministry of Education and Training recommends that localities direct relevant agencies, units, departments and branches to strengthen coordination in inspecting and supervising the implementation of regulations on posting and publicizing information on prices of educational materials, equipment and textbooks in the area.

In particular, it is necessary to strengthen inspection and handling of violations, ensuring publicity and transparency in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Prices and related documents.