Ms. H.L (Thu Duc City), parent of 2 children studying at Saigon Star School, said that she has contacted and completed the transfer procedures for her 2 children to another international school to continue studying, instead of waiting.
Ms. H.L said that she had previously paid a total of more than 1.6 billion VND. Of which, the child in preschool had paid 545 million VND for 4 years of school, and the child in grade 3 had paid 1.06 billion VND for 5 years of school. Both of Ms. H.L's children had only been studying for 4 months.
"Since the end of November, when we heard about the school's temporary closure, my family has been preparing and looking for a new school. By the beginning of December, my children finished the entrance exam at the new school, I paid the deposit, after this winter break, my two children will start going to school at the new school," Ms. H.L shared.
Ms. U.P, a parent of another first grader, said she has completed the transfer procedures for her child to a new school.
"The option of waiting for Saigon Star School to build and teach at a new facility is too risky, my family does not want to gamble so we transferred my child to another school early. At the new school, I pay tuition by semester, with more than 150 million VND/semester. I will pay tuition like that in the following years," said Ms. U.P.
Previously, at Saigon Star School, Ms. U.P. paid 870 million VND in tuition for 4 years of study. Ms. U.P.'s child has studied for 4 months.
Ms. M.T, the parent of another preschooler, said she was looking for a new school to transfer to. Ms. M.T.’s child has been studying at Saigon Star School for 4 months. Previously, Ms. M.T. had paid 3 years of tuition fees totaling 550 million VND.
Meanwhile, Mr. T.K, the parent of a second grader, said that his child will start studying at Saigon Star School from the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. He has paid 7 years of tuition fees totaling nearly 2 billion VND.
"My family is quite confused now, not knowing whether to transfer schools or continue waiting. The amount of money we have paid is quite large, if we transfer now, will we be able to get it back?" said Mr. T.K.
Speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Ho Tan Minh - Chief of Office of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City - said that the school owner is not willing to cooperate, so he suggested that parents should transfer schools soon and find a new place for their children to study.
Regarding the parents' request to withdraw tuition fees, Mr. Minh said that if there is a dispute, parents should file a lawsuit to ensure their rights.
Mr. Minh added that the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City has issued a document on transferring schools and accepting transfer students from Saigon Star International School.
In particular, the department requires principals of primary schools and multi-level general schools in Ho Chi Minh City to assign personnel, organize the implementation of school transfer procedures, create the most favorable conditions for parents when they come to contact and provide complete documents according to regulations when parents complete school transfer procedures.
The Department also requested the Head of the Department of Education and Training of Thu Duc City and districts to guide high schools to receive students transferred from Saigon Star International School in accordance with regulations and ensure the reception is smooth and quick for parents.
Previously, Lao Dong reported that Saigon Star International School suddenly sent an email to parents informing them that the school would temporarily suspend operations due to enforcement of the judgment, and that students would be off from school from December 14, 2024, and would study at the new campus at 577 National Highway 13, Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward, Thu Duc City on February 12, 2025.
This incident has made parents whose children are studying at Saigon Star School worried and restless because many parents said that at 577 National Highway 13, there is currently "nothing". This is just an old, abandoned kindergarten with degraded facilities, and it is uncertain whether Saigon Star School can be completed in time to operate on February 12, 2025.
