The Hanoi Department of Education and Training issued this decision on 3/3, following reports of approximately 300 parents queuing from midnight to submit 10th-grade applications to Phan Boi Chau High School.

The school stated that it had announced its online admission method on its website and fanpage. However, due to the large number of registrations, some parents, anxious about securing a spot, contacted the school for guidance.

"Parents arrived at the school simultaneously and shared information, leading to a large gathering at the school gate in a short period, affecting public order and creating negative public opinion," the school's report stated.

In reality, VnExpress observed that parents queued for 6-8 hours consecutively over two days. The school's admission notice did not mention online registration, only instructing parents to bring photocopied academic records when visiting the school.

From midnight until around 7h this morning, approximately 300 parents braved the rain and queued in front of the school gate to submit applications. Many indicated they were registering to ensure their children secured a 10th-grade spot, aiming to reduce pressure before the Department's public school entrance exam.

Parents sheltering from the rain while queuing, at 6h on 3/3. Photo: Thanh Hang

Phan Boi Chau High School is a private institution that has operated for over 30 years. This year, the school is recruiting 423 10th-grade students across three programs: basic, selective, and high-quality classes.

The school offers direct admission based on academic records, evaluating seven semesters (excluding the second semester of 9th grade), requiring a minimum of two semesters with "Good" academic performance and the rest "Fair" or higher. If successful, parents are asked to pay a 1,2 million VND reservation fee, along with a 300,000 VND admission fee.

If not admitted directly, candidates must take the school's separate entrance exam this weekend or use their 10th-grade exam scores from the Department.

The Department determined that the high school's direct collection of applications and registration fees was incorrect. It has therefore demanded the school cease these practices, refund deposits, and learn from the experience. Concurrently, the Department is considering penalties, though the specific fine amount has not yet been announced.

Under the Decree on administrative penalties in education, schools face fines of 10 to 20 million VND for incorrect or incomplete admission announcements and 20-30 million VND for failing to follow proper procedures.

Parents queuing in the rain outside Phan Boi Chau High School, at 6h on 3/3. Photo: Thanh Hang

The situation of parents queuing from midnight or early morning to secure application documents for their children is not new in Hanoi. Most recently, this occurred in 2023 at schools such as Phan Huy Chu - Dong Da High School, Hoang Cau High School, Ta Quang Buu High School, and Van Bao Primary School.

At that time, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son urged the capital to definitively resolve the issue of parents queuing overnight.

"In this era of digital technology and the Internet, it is unacceptable for the capital, which leads the country, to still experience such situations," Mr. Son stated.

Hanoi's public 10th-grade entrance exam is considered the most competitive nationwide, with over 100,000 candidates annually. Among these, around 64% gain admission to public schools.

Thanh Hang