Good news
Ms. Le Thi Giang - a parent with 2 children studying at Dong Thai Primary School (Dong Thai Ward, Hanoi) was informed by her homeroom teacher about the support policy of 20,000 VND/student/meal meal about a week ago.
"The homeroom teacher has created a poll to collect parents' opinions on whether to register their children for boarding or not. For registered parents, after deducting 20,000 VND in support, the remaining amount will be paid. This is good news for families with primary school children. Especially for families with 2 children like me, when supported with lunch money, the cost is calculated to be reduced by nearly 1 million VND per month. I can use that money for living expenses, buy milk for my children..." - Ms. Giang said.
Similarly, Ms. Duong Thi Yen, born in 1991 (Phuc Dien ward, Hanoi) is the parent of 2 students in grades 1 and 5, studying at Le Quy Don Primary School (50 Luu Huu Phuoc, Tu Liem ward, Hanoi) and could not hide her excitement when her child was supported with meals for boarding.
According to Ms. Yen, the school has notified parents about this content through homeroom teachers since June 5, collecting parents' opinions on the draft support. On July 24, the school deployed parents to register according to the application, publicly announcing the support level and support method. On August 4, when the children enrolled, they would submit their application to the school at the same time.
"Each semester my child is supported with 1,720,000 VND/semester, equivalent to 3,440,000 VND/school year. My family has 2 children, each year they are supported with 6,800,000 VND. In the context of escalating prices and expensive living costs, this support makes parents with children like us very excited. The policy of directly supporting meals is practical, right what the children need, parents care about", Ms. Yen excitedly said.
Schools are ready to coordinate implementation
Speaking to Lao Dong reporter, Principal of Le Quy Don Primary School - MSc. Ta Nhu Viet (50 Luu Huu Phuoc, Tu Liem Ward, Hanoi) said that immediately after Resolution 18 of the City People's Council on July 9, 2025, Tu Liem Ward has implemented it immediately. Immediately after receiving information from the ward, the school immediately deployed it to parents.
According to Mr. Viet, the school is instructing parents to declare according to the semester. Accordingly, it is estimated that each semester has 86 boarding meals/student, at the end of the semester there will be counter- checks and actual payments. Tu Liem Ward will transfer money to the school, then the school will send it to the parents' or guardians' accounts according to the previous registration.
According to Mr. Viet, the total number of primary school students in the school is currently 2,180 students, with a boarding meal fee of 35,000 VND. Thus, in addition to the support money, each student will pay an additional 15,000 VND/day for boarding meals.
Not only schools, parents also strongly support this policy because up to now, some non-public schools have not received the regime. This policy alone, coverage is up to 100% of students, regardless of whether it is public or non-public schools, so parents and schools are very happy. There have been no difficulties in the implementation process so far, said Mr. Viet.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Lieu - Principal of Dai Doan Ket Primary School (Long Bien Ward, Hanoi) shared that supporting lunch for primary school students is a humane policy, parents and students are all very excited because they are receiving attention from the city's leaders. I am very grateful to the leaders at all levels for their concern for people and students of developing age Ms. Lieu said.
Regarding the progress of implementing the policy of supporting lunch for primary school children in the city from the 2025-2026 school year, Ms. Lieu informed that the ward's Finance Department has issued a notice on the implementation and instructions for schools to implement. According to the process, schools will notify parents of students about the policy and instruct parents who wish to apply. The schools then compiled the number of applications, reported to the ward's finance department and requested the State Budget estimate.
"There is currently no official direction, but schools will advise. For example, children's meals are 30,000 VND, the state pays 20,000 VND/meal, parents will have to pay an additional 10,000. The school will notify parents and parents to only pay an additional 10,000 VND/lunch fee for the children" - Ms. Lieu analyzed.
Taking an example from Dai Doan Ket Primary School, Ms. Lieu said that immediately after having enough registration documents from parents, the school's accountant will plan to make an estimate in installments, each installment 4 months and the State budget will provide in installments. After 4 months, the settlement will be based on the reality that students eat boarding meals, monitor, and "ban" each meal of the children.
Nearly 100% of parents of the school register to send their children to boarding school. There are only a few cases where parents are hesitant or temporarily have no need, we still register a reserve for them because when the school year begins, parents change their minds and want to register for their children to have lunch, they will not be able to request additional funding. After the actual settlement, if any child does not eat, the excess budget will be paid and then, a new installment will be issued for the next 4 months" - Ms. Lieu informed.
