Phu Tho workers are worried about the fees at the beginning of the new school year

From the 2025 - 2026 school year, tuition and tuition fees are 2 items that schools are not allowed to collect from students. This information brings great joy to millions of parents, especially families of workers who are struggling with low wages.

However, besides the excitement, many workers' families in Phu Tho are still worried about the fees collected at the beginning of the new school year.

Ms. Bui Bich Phuong - a worker at Hoa Binh Urban Environment Company, shared that when she learned that her child was exempted from tuition fees, she was very happy.

"I have two children in primary school, and used to spend several million VND per year on tuition. With workers' wages, this exemption is truly a practical support for the family," she said.

However, Ms. Phuong still waited for the parent meeting to hear specific information from the school, because in addition to tuition fees, parents still had to pay many other fees.

In fact, at many public schools in Phu Tho, tuition fees only account for a small part of the total cost at the beginning of the school year. A series of other collections such as health insurance, uniforms, boarding meals, class fund, school supplies, drinking water, etc. are all for parents to take care of.

According to the new regulations, students are supported by the State with at least 50% of the health insurance premium, but the rest combined with other socialized expenses is still a great pressure. For families with limited income, these accumulated expenses can easily become a significant burden from the beginning of the school year.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tan - a worker at a garment company in the left bank of the Da River Industrial Park, said that both husband and wife work as unskilled laborers, with a total income of only about 17 million VND per month.

That amount is enough to cover food, electricity, water, and daily living expenses. However, every new school year, the whole family has to tighten spending.

"Just a little reduction in overtime, I'm worried right away. She had to save at least 4 million VND to buy clothes, books and pay the first fees of the year for her two children. If not calculated carefully, it would be easy to miss," Mr. Tan sighed.

Stories like Ms. Phuong's and Mr. Tan's are not isolated. Most workers in factories in the left Bank of the Da River Industrial Park share similar concerns.

Mr. Tong Duc Chien - Member of the Standing Committee of the Phu Tho Provincial Labor Federation, said that the income of workers in the left bank of the Da River Industrial Park is generally limited, and life is still difficult.

To encourage workers' families in difficult circumstances, the Standing Committee of the Phu Tho Provincial Federation of Labor recently coordinated with the Golden Heart Social Charity Fund to award 50 scholarships, each worth 1 million VND, to workers' children with high academic achievements.

"This support not only has material value but is also a great source of spiritual encouragement, helping workers' families be more motivated to overcome difficulties and continue to take better care of their children's education," Mr. Chien shared.

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