In the 2026-2027 school year, the Hanoi Department of Education and Training has requested private schools not to collect reservation fees, deposits or fees outside regulations when enrolling in grade 10. This is not just an administrative direction, but a clear message: Enrollment must be transparent, fair and put students' rights first.
The reality over the years shows that the room keeping fee is not small. Some schools collect several million VND, some places up to tens of millions of VND. For many families, especially families with average incomes, paying money to 2-3 schools at the same time to "prevent risks" is a significant burden.
In the opposite direction, schools explain that collecting fees is to limit "virtual" applications, avoiding the situation where parents register and then withdraw, disrupting the enrollment plan. This argument is not unreasonable. However, the problem lies in: Is it possible to handle "virtual applications" by pushing financial risks to parents?
When the money is not refunded or only partially refunded if students do not enroll, "room keeping" is no longer simply a technical management measure, but becomes a screening mechanism based on affordability. This easily creates a feeling of injustice, especially in the context of 10th grade enrollment, which is already full of pressure.
Private schools have autonomy in enrollment, but that autonomy must go hand in hand with social responsibility. Education is not a purely market transaction. All enrollment policies directly affect students' psychology and family economic conditions.
The direction not to collect reservation fees should therefore be seen as a step to tighten discipline. If fees are allowed to exist under many "different names", but the essence is still depositing to reserve slots, then the regulation will be invalidated in practice.
More importantly, if there is no strict monitoring and handling mechanism, regulations will be difficult to put into practice. Considering adjustments or not assigning enrollment quotas to violating schools is a powerful tool. But that tool only works when applied practically and transparently.
The 10th grade enrollment season is not just a story for schools and parents. It is also a measure of faith in the fairness of the education system.
10th grade enrollment is already stressful. Do not let "room keeping" fees increase the psychological and financial burden on families. Strict control, strict handling, and public transparency will be ways to ensure that students' rights are always placed at the center.
