Can a 9-year-old disabled student still enroll in first grade in Vietnam?

Can a 9-year-old disabled student still enroll in first grade in Vietnam?

Based on Article 2 of Joint Circular 42/2013/TTLT-BGDDT-BLDTBXH-BTC the regulations are as follows:

Priority in Enrollment and Admission

1. Priority in Enrollment

Persons with disabilities are allowed to enroll at an age higher than the general regulation by three years.

2. Priority in Admission

a) For lower secondary and upper secondary education

Persons with disabilities are eligible for direct admission to upper secondary schools just like students from boarding ethnic minority schools and students who are of very small ethnic groups according to the regulations in the Admission Regulations for lower secondary and upper secondary education issued by the Ministry of Education and Training;

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Based on Article 33 of the Primary School Charter issued with Circular 28/2020/TT-BGDDT, the age of primary school students is regulated as follows:

Age of Primary School Students

1. The age for entering first grade is 6 years old, calculated by the year. Disabled children, children with physical or intellectual developmental delays, children in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, ethnic minority children, orphans with no one to support them, children returning from abroad, children of foreigners studying or working in Vietnam may enter first grade at an age higher than the regulation but not exceeding 3 years. In cases where children enter first grade beyond the 3-year limit, the decision will be made by the head of the Department of Education and Training.

2. Primary school students may study at an age higher than the regulated age in cases such as repeating a grade, being in areas with particularly difficult socio-economic conditions, being ethnic minorities, being disabled, being children with physical or intellectual developmental delays, orphans with no one to support them, children returning from abroad, and other cases as stipulated by law.

Therefore, typically the age for entering first grade is 6 years old, calculated by the year. However, a 9-year-old disabled student will still be able to enroll in first grade.

Can a 9-year-old disabled student still enroll in first grade in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are policies for disabled students when attending primary school in Vietnam?

According to Article 27 of Law on Persons with Disabilities 2010, the general education policies for disabled students in primary school are as follows:

- The State facilitates the learning of persons with disabilities according to their needs and capabilities.

- Persons with disabilities are allowed to enroll at an age higher than the regulated age for general education; they are given priority in admission; they are exempted from or reduced in certain subjects or educational activities that their capabilities cannot fulfill; they are exempted from tuition fees, training costs, and other contributions; they are considered for scholarships, and support for learning tools and equipment.

- Persons with disabilities are provided with special learning tools and materials when necessary; deaf and mute persons can learn through sign language; visually impaired persons can learn through Braille according to national standards.

- The Minister of Education and Training, in cooperation with the Minister of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Minister of Finance, regulates in detail Clause 2, Article 27 of Law on Persons with Disabilities 2010.

Are disabled primary school students exempted from tuition fees in Vietnam?

According to Article 15 of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP, the regulations are as follows:

Subjects exempted from tuition fees

1. Subjects under the Ordinance on Preferences for Persons with Merits to the Revolution if they are studying in educational institutions in the national education system.

2. Preschool children and students with disabilities.

3. Preschool children and students under 16 years old without any support, and persons from 16 to 22 years old studying in secondary education, first-degree higher education who are eligible for monthly social assistance according to Clauses 1 and 2, Article 5 of Decree No. 20/2021/ND-CP dated March 15, 2021, of the Government of Vietnam on social assistance policies for social protection beneficiaries. Learners at the intermediate and college levels who are orphans without parental support, according to the provisions of the Law on Vocational Education.

4. Preschool children and students in general education, learners in continuing education institutions following the general education program who have parents or guardians or both parents or in cases of living with grandparents who fall into the category of poor households according to the regulations of the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam.

5. 5-year-old preschool children in particularly difficult communes/villages, areas III ethnic minority and mountainous areas, particularly difficult coastal and island areas according to regulations of competent authorities.

6. 5-year-old preschool children not subject to Clause 5 of this Article are exempted from tuition fees from the 2024 - 2025 school year (effective from September 1, 2024).

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Thus, disabled primary school students are exempted from tuition fees.