School fee limits set for new academic year

School fee limits set for new academic year

In the wake of complaints by students' parents about the annual increases in tuition fees, the Vientiane Education and Sports Department has set a cap on fee increases.

Children around the country return to school today to begin the new academic year and will meet their friends again after a three-month break. --Photo Phoonsab

The department has set a limit for both state and private schools in Vientiane, from kindergarten to secondary level, this academic year (2015-16) which starts today.

Students around the country return to school today after registering for enrolment yesterday.

The department will allow private schools to increase their fees this year, but not by more than 50,000 kip.

The department's Director Mr Somphou Keopanya told Vientiane Timesyesterday the sector would look into the matter after many private schools had sought permission to increase their fees.

The agreement was made in response to a proposal from a private school in which the directors stressed the need to increase fees so they could pay the higher monthly salaries due to teachers following the pay rise mandated by the government.

The fees charged by schools vary depending on the quality of teaching and facilities, as well as additional courses on offer and the availability of amenities such as air-conditioning.

Mr Somphou said other factors also influenced the fees charged, depending on the agreement reached between school administrators and the student-parent association.

“If schools s et their fees above the level permitted by the department, they will be inspected by officials who will investigate the reasons why,” he said.

If a school does not follow the rules, after the third infringement they will be ordered to close.

Mr Somphou said the department would work with the sectors concerned to consider any proposed increase in school fees.

While some fee increases were justified, such as the need to cover extra expenditure for new teaching technologies and new courses, Mr Somphou warned schools not to increase fees solely for profit.

The increase in private school fees has directly affected students' parents, who are now wondering whether to send their children to school or take them out of school so they can help out at home or on their farm.

For state schools, the fees vary depending on the school, with the range being 70,000-100,000 kip a year for kindergartens, 80,000-120,000 kip for primary schools and 200,000-300,000 kip for secondary schools.

In private schools, the tuition fees for kindergarten should be 150,000-200,000 kip a month, 100,000-150,000 kip for primary schools, 150,000 kip for lower secondary and 200,000 kip for upper secondary schools.

Last year, there were 292 kindergartens, 512 primary schools and 158 secondary schools with more than 185,000 students in Vientiane.

This year, the number of schools in Vientiane is scheduled to increase depending on the number of students, according to the department.

By Times Reporters (Latest Update September 1, 2015)