On the evening of September 4, in a rented room in Ben Cat ward (HCMC), Ms. Cao Thi Giau (38 years old, from Ca Mau) and her son were preparing clothes and books, preparing to enter the new school year.
Child N.C.T. N (6 years old, Ms. Giau's child) has been arranged and completed enrollment procedures at Luong The Vinh Primary School (Ben Cat ward). This school is only about 2 km from Ms. Giau's family's rented room.
More than a month ago, her child's education was a big concern for her and her husband. In mid-July 2026, her family applied for N to enter grade 1. Initial results, she was assigned to Lai Hung Primary School, more than 12 km from her lodging.
This makes my husband and I very worried. We are workers, if we take our children to school far away, we won't have time to go to work. Besides, going so far increases costs, making life even more difficult" - Ms. Giau recounted.
She shared this worry with Lao Dong Newspaper and functional agencies of Ben Cat ward. After that, her child was assigned to Luong The Vinh Primary School. From a distance of more than 12 km, now her school is only about 2 km from the rented room.
Our children are studying near their accommodation, we are very happy and reassured. Thank you to Lao Dong Newspaper and agencies in Ben Cat Ward People's Committee for listening, understanding, and resolving this worry for our family" - Ms. Giau expressed.
Before the opening day, Ms. Giau rearranged clothes for her child. Baby N also showed her mother the first strokes of writing, eagerly waiting for the new school year.
Sharing the joy is Ms. Nguyen Thi Truc Ngan (33 years old), a worker temporarily residing in Ben Cat ward. Her daughter, baby D. K. H (6 years old), was also admitted to 1st grade by Luong The Vinh Primary School.
Ms. Ngan's family just came to Ben Cat ward to live. She and her husband have two young children, and their economic situation is difficult. Their son has to drop out of school in 9th grade to give way to his younger sister to go to school.
In mid-July 2026, the family took the child to the Department of Culture and Social Affairs of Ben Cat ward to ask for arrangements for the child to go to school, but this place said that it could only arrange for the child to go to Lai Hung Primary School.
At that time, the family investigated and found out that Lai Hung Primary School was about 12 km from my family's lodging, the school did not have a shuttle bus, I worked as a worker taking my children to school far away and did not have time to go to work. Meanwhile, if studying in a private school, the cost is 4 million VND per month, my husband and I cannot afford it. I plan to send my child to tutoring outside, and wait until next year to apply for him to go to a public school" - Ms. Ngan said.
Before the new school year, child D. K. N was admitted to Luong The Vinh Primary School.
My family is very excited. I have bought books, clothes, ready for my child in the new school year" - Ms. Ngan shared.
Previously, in mid-July 2026, Lao Dong Newspaper reflected the situation of school pressure in Ben Cat ward. This led to cases of being assigned to study far away when zoning. The case of Ms. Giau's child being assigned is more than 12 km away from the rented place, and Ms. Ngan's child is worried because she has not found a school for her child.
After the reflection of Lao Dong Newspaper, the leader of Ben Cat Ward People's Committee said that this year the locality is under pressure regarding schools. Ben Cat Ward has tried to implement all solutions to receive students. Specifically, such as opening more classes, increasing class sizes, and allocating routes to schools. In addition, contact schools in neighboring wards to request the reception of students in Ben Cat Ward.
