Is it possible to collect tuition fees in cases of natural disasters or epidemics in Vietnam?

Is it possible to collect tuition fees in cases of natural disasters or epidemics in Vietnam?

Based on Article 17 of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP:

Temporary Waiver of Tuition Fees

When natural disasters, epidemics, or other force majeure events as declared by a competent authority occur, depending on the extent and scope of the damage, the Provincial People’s Committee shall present to the Provincial People’s Council to consider and decide on the temporary waiver of tuition fees for a specific period for preschool children and public school students, continuous education learners following the general education program in areas affected by natural disasters, epidemics, and force majeure events.

Thus, in cases of natural disasters, epidemics, or other force majeure events as declared by a competent authority, based on the extent and scope of the damage, the competent authority will consider and decide on the temporary waiver of tuition fees for a specific period.

The subjects eligible for this tuition fee waiver include preschool children, public school students, and continuous education learners following the general education program in areas affected by natural disasters, epidemics, and force majeure events.

Is it possible to collect tuition fees in cases of natural disasters or epidemics in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What are regulations on tuition fees in Vietnam?

Based on Article 12 of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP, tuition fees are regulated as follows:

- Tuition fees are collected on a monthly basis; if the learner volunteers, the school may collect them for the entire semester or school year.

For institutions of continuous and short-term training, tuition fees are collected based on the actual months of attendance.

For preschool and general education institutions, tuition fees are collected for a maximum of 9 months/year. For higher education and vocational education institutions, tuition fees are collected for a maximum of 10 months/year.

- In the event of natural disasters, epidemics, or other force majeure events, tuition fees are collected based on the actual months of attendance (including online teaching periods or make-up classes); tuition fees are not collected during periods when teaching is not organized.

The tuition fee collection principle ensures that it covers the actual months of attendance and necessary incurred costs for organizing teaching, but does not exceed the total tuition collected based on the maximum number of months of one school year (a maximum of 9 months/year for preschool and general education institutions and a maximum of 10 months/year for higher education and vocational education institutions) and is announced from the beginning of the school year in the educational institutions.

The Provincial People’s Committee presents to the People’s Council to decide on the specific collection period and tuition fees for public preschool and general education in the region; Heads of higher education and vocational education institutions regulate the collection period and tuition fees in cases of natural disasters, epidemics, and other force majeure events.

- In the case of credit-based teaching and learning, educational institutions may convert to collect tuition fees by credit, but the total tuition collected by credit for the entire course should not exceed the regulated tuition fees for the course if collected on an annual basis.

- Educational institutions are responsible for collecting tuition fees and depositing them into commercial banks or the State Treasury for management and use.

In cases where tuition fees are collected in cash, units must periodically transfer (deposit) all collected cash tuition fees remaining at the fund into the unit's account at the State Treasury or commercial bank for management as per regulations.

What are regulations on management and use of tuition fees in Vietnam?

Based on Article 13 of Decree 81/2021/ND-CP, the management and use of tuition fees are regulated as follows:

- Public educational institutions use tuition fees according to the Government of Vietnam’s regulations on the financial autonomy mechanism of public service providers and compile them into their annual financial reports following legal regulations.

- Non-public and private educational institutions use tuition fees based on the principle of self-financing and are responsible for financial management of their activities. They must organize accounting work, pay taxes, and fulfill other financial obligations according to legal regulations.

- Educational institutions manage tuition fees revenue and expenditure following accounting, auditing, and tax policies, and must disclose financial information as per regulations; they are subject to inspection and audits by financial authorities and competent education management agencies and are responsible before the law for the accuracy and honesty of the provided information and documents.

- Before admission or enrollment, educational institutions must publicly announce the tuition fee rates and training costs for each school year and education level for preschool and general education, the schedule of tuition fee increases (if any), and projections for the entire course for higher education.

- Educational institutions are responsible for publicly and transparently explaining training costs, tuition fee rates, and the schedule of tuition fee increases for each school year, education level, and course; publicly announcing the conditions ensuring quality according to the regulations; publicizing tuition fee exemption and reduction policies in cases of natural disasters, epidemics, and other force majeure events, and the rates and exemption and reduction policies for tuition fees.