Vietnam to Check Student-for-hire Service

The Ministry of Education and Training has asked relevant agencies to tighten control over student-for-hire service which has become booming one in the Southeast Asian country’s training system. Students have been hired to attend in-service or university programs by their clients who could not go to school because of numerous reasons including busy work, working trips, in pregnancy or travelling. The fee is around VND20,000 to VND50,000 ($1.1-$2.56) for a two-hour lesson and VND50,000 to VND100,000 for a test.  The thriving hired-learning service is worrying local experts and educators. Nguyen Tu Anh, manager of Hoa Sen Human Resources Training and Development Group said it is a “worrisome reality”, misleading people into thinking “they can buy anything with money.” Anh blamed the booming service for the degree evaluation in Vietnam. Meanwhile, a lecturer from a Ho Chi Minh City-based university showed his worries about students’ dishonest activities.  “Students who play tricks at schools will probably involve in serious wrongdoings in their lives,” the lecturer said. (Thanh Nien - Young People Oct 16)