HA NOI — Some of Ha Noi's poorer students will be eligible for tuition fee exemptions from the coming school year.

The resolution reached by the city's People's Council Wednesday comes as part of new tuition fee levels at State-run schools and assistance policies on tuition fees.

Students at State schools in poor communes of districts in Ba Vi, Quoc Oai, Thach That, My Duc and Phuc Tho will be exempt from all tuition fees.

The new tuition fee levels will be lower than the current ones, in which students in the rural and urban areas will pay VND20,000 (US$0.9) and VND40,000 ($1.8) per month respectively.

The city will spend VND27 billion ($1.29 million) per year to offset losses at schools where current fees are higher than the new ones.

Currently, the city allocates VND4.1 million ($195), 3.7 million ($176), 4 million ($190) and 5 million ($238) each month for each student at kindergarten, primary, secondary and high-school levels respectively.

Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, vice chairwoman of the city's People's Committee, said the new fees were equal to the lowest levels as regulated in the Prime Minister's decree on tuition fees.

She said the new fee levels will be implemented at all State-run schools in the city's 29 districts.

The fees at private schools are not subject to the decision.