Provinces and cities find it difficult to spend money on extra classes.

Circular 29 on extra teaching and learning of the Ministry of Education and Training took effect on February 14, requiring schools to be responsible for providing free extra teaching to 3 groups: unsatisfactory students, excellent students and final year students (voluntary). Previously, for group 3 - the largest, the cost was paid by the students' parents, usually at 6,000-9,000 VND per lesson, depending on the locality.

Therefore, if they continue to teach, schools will not have the money to pay teachers, as well as related electricity, water, etc. Since Tet, many schools across the country have stopped teaching extra classes. Some are encouraging teachers to provide free exam review for students.

Faced with this reality, the Ministry has asked localities to consider providing financial support to schools. Last week, many Departments of Education and Training, such as Hanoi and Vinh Phuc, said they were actively proposing to competent authorities and People's Councils about this.

However, many managers think it is difficult to do because the budget is allocated from the beginning of the year, schools have calculated and divided it for annual educational content and activities.

"Not to mention, many localities also have to ask for more budget from the central government, and there is no surplus to allocate for extra teaching activities," said a leader of a Department of Education and Training.

Requesting additional funding is very time-consuming and does not yield results overnight, according to the Department leader in Quang Nam. The reason is that the department must submit to the Provincial People's Committee, and if approved, it will be transferred to the People's Council for decision.

In addition, the leader of the Department of Education and Training of Khanh Hoa province said that to request more budget, schools need to develop estimates of the number of classes and teaching staff. The management agency must calculate to come up with the allocation rate. For example, the conditions between schools in Nha Trang city will be different from those in districts and towns. Coming up with a common rate suitable for all is "very difficult".

"There are many reasons why localities are less interested in this option," this person commented.

Managers say that schools currently have two options: use the allocated budget or call for socialization to organize extra classes for students in grades 9 and 12.

In particular, calling for socialization is more challenging, because if not careful, complaints can easily arise. Using the allocated budget is a legal source, but schools will have to balance and calculate between activities. This is not easy, because "covering one end will cause the other end to be lacking".

"There are few immediate solutions, while the review period for the final year group is approaching. Schools must manage within the allocated budget and appeal to teachers' spirit of sharing and volunteerism," said a leader of a Department of Education.

In Tien Giang, Mr. Le Quang Tri, Director of the Department, said that he had asked schools to allocate part of the salary budget to cover activities, including tutoring for three groups according to Circular 29. If there is still a shortage, schools will find ways to balance it with other legal sources of income.

Similarly, the Thanh Hoa education sector directed schools to proactively utilize existing human resources, facilities and funding to develop plans for extra teaching.

This province, along with Binh Duong and Nam Dinh, suggested that schools and teachers provide documents, exam questions, and instructions for students on how to self-study, use software, and review websites, if they do not have money to organize classes.