The American International School has been suspended from operations since July 1, 2024, for a period of 12 months. About 1,000 students of this school were later given the opportunity by the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City to study at other schools.
However, up to now, many parents of the American International School have said they have not yet received the money they have paid to the school in the form of loan contracts.
Mr. C.T (District 7) parents said that in 2018, he and Truong AISVN signed a loan contract with an amount of more than 5 billion VND, interest rate of 0%. In return, his two children are supported with free study and training during their regular school years at the school. According to the contract, the school will repay the loan when his child finishes school or returns to school.
"In April last year, my child had only studied for 2 years, the school lost financial capacity and then closed, I had to transfer the school to my child, but until now I have not received the money I had paid," said Mr. C.T.
Ms. T.L (District 7) also signed a loan to AISVN School for more than 4 billion VND. According to the contract, this amount will be returned when her child finishes school or returns to school.
In 2023, her child transferred to the school, but AISVN still did not refund the amount of money paid. "At that time, the school promised to pay but did not do so, so I and many other parents went to school but it was not resolved, until last year, the school was suspended and now, the possibility of getting the money back is open," Ms. T.L shared.
The scandal at AISVN School began around October 2023 when many parents came to the school gate, asking to meet Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em - Chairwoman of the School Board, asking Ms. Ut Em to pay according to the refund contract.
These parents said that their children studied at AISVN School, received regular training and were exempted from tuition fees during their time studying at school.
The condition is that parents will lend money to the school, the school will repay the loan from the end of grade 12 and complete the procedures to terminate the regular training program or complete the procedures to stop studying at AISVN School.
However, many parents said that after their children have finished their school days, they have not yet received their refund.
Also in October 2023, AISVN School held a parent meeting and publicly announced financial difficulties and held a parent meeting to discuss the overcoming plan by mobilizing parents to contribute some additional funds.
Many parents continue to contribute more times to the school according to Ms. Ut Em's call.
On March 18, 2024, AISVN School announced that it would temporarily suspend students because most of the teachers did not go to school to teach. The reason is that the school is facing financial difficulties and cannot pay full and on time salaries to teachers and staff.
On March 19, 2024, AISVN School announced its resumption of operations, but according to parents, most of the students going to school are divided into self-study sessions, playing in canteens, libraries, and soccer fields. Many parents take their children to school but have to return to pick them up.
On March 30, 2024, at a meeting between parents and the school council, with the participation of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Police, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ut Em - Chairwoman of the AISVN School Council called on parents to contribute about 125 billion VND more to pay teachers' salaries and operate until the end of June.
An account was created later, with nearly 750 parents contributing more than 31 billion VND. By April 26, 2024, AISVN School had ended the school year early instead of the end of May as usual.
On June 28, 2024, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City issued a decision to suspend the operation of AISVN School from July 1, 2024 due to insufficient financial capacity and human resources to maintain teaching.
