The People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City has recently approved a policy lending educational support to children of families facing dire economic strains, who are on or below the poverty line. As per the policy, the City will spend VND16.19 billion ($777,000) to support education for children of low-income families during the period of 2012-2015. Apart from that, HCMC also has a policy in place to support higher education in students coming from poor families. Students from families with an average income of more than VND10-12 million per person per year will enjoy 50 per cent exemption on tuition fees while students from families with average income of less than VND10 million per person per year will enjoy 100 per cent tuition fee exemption. Under the policy plan, around 1,500 students will receive support for their education, at an estimated cost of VND4 billion. Thus the City will spend VND20.19 billion for supporting education for children coming from poor families. In addition, the City also plans to spend VND2.5 billion to support poor laborers to study foreign languages for working abroad and vocational training for laborers working in suburban districts. (Sai Gon Giai Phong –Saigon Liberation Aug 16)
