International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) in Ho Chi Minh City, which has taught preschool and elementary students for the past 15 years, has announced that it will cease operations after the 2024-25 academic year due to a significant decline in student enrollment.

A representative of ISSP confirmed the announcement to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday, stating that parents, teachers, and staff have been formally notified of the decision.

“The school has struggled to adapt to a challenging and rapidly changing educational landscape, despite ongoing efforts to maintain enrollment numbers,” the representative stated.

“However, current student numbers have fallen well below expectations, making it unsustainable for the institution to continue operating.”

According to the announcement, ISSP’s final day of classes is June 19, and its official last working day is July 19.

The school has assured that its top priority during this transition is to support students and families in finding alternative educational placements.

To ensure a smooth transition for its students, ISSP has arranged for them to have the opportunity to transfer to the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC), another institution within the UK-based Cognita education group.

The transfer will be facilitated with tuition fees remaining at the ISSP rate for two years, starting in August.

ISHCMC, which also follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP), is prepared to accommodate ISSP students aged two to ten years old.

The school believes that their curriculum alignment will help make the transition as seamless as possible.

ISSP has reached out to parents, asking them to confirm their school transfer preferences within a week of receiving the notification.

A dedicated support team has been established to assist families in either transitioning to ISHCMC or finding other suitable international schools that align with their educational goals.

The school has been committed to providing guidance on admissions, curriculum adjustments, and student well-being during this transition period.

In addition to student support, ISSP is also prioritizing assistance for its teachers and staff in securing new employment opportunities.

The school is actively working to relocate employees to other Cognita-affiliated institutions in Vietnam and across Asia.

Meetings are being held with faculty members to understand their professional aspirations and provide personalized career support.

“Furthermore, ISSP is offering financial assistance to help staff register on job portals and access career counseling services,” said the representative.

“One-on-one meetings are also being arranged to address individual concerns regarding employment transitions.”

ISSP, located in Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Thanh District, is a monolingual international school established in 2010 that teaches children aged 18 months to 11 years.

As a member of Cognita Group, which operates over 100 schools worldwide, ISSP has earned full accreditation from the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The school, which has been authorized to deliver the IB PYP curriculum, currently teaches students from more than 20 different countries.

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