More than 1,160 Vietnamese students had to sacrifice university and college study due to financial difficulties, according to statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET).
The figure makes up 0.12% of the country’s total number of secondary education students, said the ministry after surveying 180 universities and colleges.
The survey was carried out at the instruction of the Prime Minister. The goal is that no student drops out of school because they are unable to afford tuition fees.
Schools in disadvantaged areas and big cities see the highest drop-out rate. Most of those who drop out do so in the first or second year.
MoET asked universities and colleges to make public their tuition fees during entrance exams. The schools have also been required to keep the published fees unchanged throughout the term. There will also be payment extensions, and the option to pay monthly, as well as new dormitories for students.
Educational institutions have also been urged to develop procedures to help students get bank loans and provide guidance on any available support from the State. Individuals and organisations have also been asked to help to set up funds for scholarships for promising but disadvantaged students.