Vo Thi Thu, Head of District 5 Office of Education and Training, said that, while primary schools have yet to announce their enrollment plan for the upcoming school year, several parents have already asked for consultation in finding the best schools.

First class at Minh Dao Primary School in District 5

A father from District 7’s does not want to send his child to Le Van Tam Primary School in Phu Nhuan Ward because, according to him, the school is located in a cramped area with substandard infrastructure. He prefers to send the child to Luong The Vinh Primary in Tan Kieng Ward.

Many parents in the city are very choosy about the schools at which their children will study.  Schools that provide extra English classes or employ native English teachers are often at the top of the list, as are schools that have gained a good reputation. One anonymous employee at the office of education and training said, "There are several schools considered to be prestigious. These are often parents' first choice."

Dinh Thien Can, Head of District 1 Office of Education and Training, said, “Despite parents’ preferences, the funding each school gets from the state is the same, as are the quality of teaching staff."

According to Thu, the office will continue to tighten control over enrollment and encourage parents to send their children to schools near their homes.

“School selection is not really good for children because it may result in discrimination among students and create more pressure. Prestigious schools often apply much higher fees as well,” she noted.

Can added, "Fixing this problem will require more attention from principles towards upgrading their schools and having better communication with parents."