Ho Chi Minh City Parents Baffled by School Assignments Far From Home

In Ho Chi Minh City, many parents are experiencing confusion and anxiety as significant disparities arise between their preferred schools and the actual assignments for their children. One reported case involves a child assigned to Lai Hưng Primary School, approximately 10km away, despite the family living only 1.5km from Lương Thế Vinh Primary School, which they had applied to. Parents seeking admission based on their residential areas are now facing the prospect of their children commuting long distances. Parents working as công nhân (laborers) expressed concerns about the difficulty of long commutes and the toll it would take on their children. One parent questioned why their child was assigned to THCS Bình Hưng Hòa Secondary School, 7km away, instead of the closer THCS Tân Tạo Secondary School. The Chairperson of the People's Committee of Bến Cát ward explained that the district's primary schools are overcrowded, necessitating prioritization of long-term residents. Those who have recently relocated are placed later, leading to assignments in more distant schools. Class sizes have reached approximately 50 students, making further admissions impossible. The Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training acknowledged the issue of distant school assignments and instructed local authorities to provide support and adjustments based on actual conditions and school capacities. He also pointed out that some cases might stem from parents not accurately filling out residency information, and that assignments to slightly farther schools are sometimes made to balance student numbers between institutions. This policy aims to balance providing students with learning opportunities near their homes and ensuring schools meet their enrollment targets. This year, Ho Chi Minh City expects over 197,500 children to enter Grade 1 and 185,700 to enter Grade 6, a slight decrease compared to last year.