The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has announced a list of 494 foreign language and computer skill centers that are unlicensed or have an expired license, which sparks concerns among leaners and their parents.

Among these centers, 253 have registered for their establishment but have yet to obtain a license for educational activities, while the other 241 have had their licenses expire and must sign up for renewal.

Nguyen The Thanh, a resident in Go Vap District, said his son, who is in elementary school, has been studying at a local English center every weekend for two years.

After finding out the English center is in the list of unlicensed facilities, Thanh is now worried whether or not his son’s certificate will be recognized.

He added that tuition is VND8 million (US$346) per year.

“How can an unlicensed foreign language center be allowed to operate for such a long time?” the parent complained.

Giang, who lives in District 11, expressed similar concerns as the English center where her child studies has also been listed as unlicensed.

Giang cast doubt on the teaching quality of the center.

Many other parents are also worried as the centers where their children are studying have had their licenses expire.

Following the announcement of the list, the municipal education department has ordered all unauthorized centers to promptly register for the paperwork in accordance with Government Decree No. 46.

Those with expired licenses are required to apply for renewal procedures.

According to the owner of an English center chain in Ho Chi Minh City, he first established it in 2005 with only one facility.

In 2015, the center became a chain with many branches across the metropolis, the owner continued, adding that the license of the original facility was applicable to all of the branches.

However, a new regulation recently required a foreign language center chain to register for a separate license for each of its branches, resulting in such an issue.

“We have obtained the licenses for three branches and are finalizing procedures for the remaining venues. Our teachers and learning programs remain qualified,” he stated.

The license expires every five years, the owner of another English center in the city said, adding that the permit must be renewed after the period.

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