seniorspectrumnewspaper – Many Southeast Asian countries claim to provide free education through middle or high school, but families in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar still struggle with hidden costs. Parents are required to pay for uniforms, textbooks, supplies, transportation, and extracurricular activities. In some cases, they even contribute to teachers’ salaries and school maintenance. These expenses often make education unaffordable for low-income families, despite government claims of tuition-free schooling.
In Vietnam, the Communist Party recently announced an end to public school tuition fees from preschool to grade 12, beginning in the 2025-26 school year. While parents initially welcomed the decision, they soon realized that other mandatory fees remained high. Many families still pay between 1 million and 2 million dong (US$39-78) per month for meals, school funds, and afterschool programs. With an average monthly income of US$300, many parents find these costs difficult to manage.
Challenges for Low-Income Families
For families in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, public schools charge additional fees beyond tuition. Parents report monthly afterschool class fees of up to 325,000 dong (US$13), alongside contributions to school events and activities. Though the government plans to subsidize private school students, families will still have to cover the difference between public and private tuition.
Concerns over rising education costs have been widely discussed in state and social media. Despite policies aimed at expanding access to education, many Southeast Asian families continue to face financial barriers that prevent their children from attending school. Without addressing these hidden costs, free education remains out of reach for many students in the region.
Financial Burdens on Parents Despite Tuition-Free Schooling
In Laos, public schools claim to offer free education, but parents still face significant financial burdens. Families must pay for tutoring, textbooks, and school maintenance fees. Making it difficult for low-income households to afford their children’s education.
A parent from Vientiane reported paying up to 650,000 kip (US$30) annually for learning activities and an additional 150,000 kip (US$7) per month for tutoring in subjects where their child struggled. After moving to Khammouane province, they noticed that rural schools charge lower fees but still require a 60,000 kip (US$3) yearly contribution for school maintenance.
In Bokeo province, parents must also cover utility costs. With one father stating that he has paid 300-400 Thai baht (US$9-12) annually for electricity since his child started middle school. While families initially welcomed the idea of free education. Many schools claim they lack sufficient funds and require parents to contribute for essential repairs, classroom materials, and infrastructure improvements.
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Cambodian Parents Struggle with High Education Expenses
In Cambodia, despite the government’s promise of free education, parents continue to bear significant financial burdens. Many families are forced to pay for tutoring, transportation, school supplies, and even contributions to school events.
Soeung Sakona, a tailor from Siem Reap province, shared that she spends at least 10,000 riel (US$2.50) daily on her two daughters’ schooling. She struggles to cover costs for tutoring, books, and transportation, leaving little room for other expenses. Over the years, she has spent nearly US$1,000 annually on education and even sold land to ensure her children could continue their studies.
For low-income families, keeping children in school beyond sixth grade becomes nearly impossible. Without access to private tutors, many students struggle to receive a quality education. Some parents, overwhelmed by costs, plan to withdraw their children from school entirely.
Boarding Schools and Hidden Education Fees in Myanmar
Myanmar faces similar challenges, where parents must cover extracurricular fees despite the government’s free education policy. Families in urban and suburban areas pay around 100,000 kyats (US$23) annually for school-initiated activities, including holiday celebrations and farewell parties for staff. In some cases, parents even contribute to teachers’ salaries.
Students also incur additional costs for textbooks, notebooks, uniforms, and transportation, totaling around 250,000 kyats (US$57) per year. Meanwhile, in rural areas, students often have no access to high school education unless they enroll in urban boarding schools. These schools charge between 2.5 million and 4 million kyats (US$570 to 910) per year for food, accommodation, and tuition.
Furthermore, rural schools frequently face teacher shortages, requiring parents to hire educators from the city. The cost of hiring a teacher ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 kyats (US$11 to 23) per family annually. Those who can afford private schools pay monthly tuition fees between 100,000 and 250,000 kyats (US$23 to 57), with additional school-related expenses surpassing 3 million kyats (US$690) per year.
