Many countries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, offer “free education” through middle and sometimes high school. However, in reality, education is far from free due to additional costs that families must bear.
In nations like Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, parents face hidden fees for uniforms, textbooks, school supplies, transportation, extracurricular activities, and even teachers’ salaries and school maintenance. These added costs make education unaffordable for many families, despite the government’s promises of free schooling.
Vietnam’s Tuition Waiver and Hidden Fees
Vietnam’s government made headlines when it announced the removal of tuition fees for public school students from preschool to grade 12. This decision, part of the 2025-26 school year budget, was welcomed by parents, but the joy quickly turned to concern when they realized the extent of additional costs.
The government will allocate about 30 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately $1.17 billion) to cover the lost revenue from tuition fees, impacting 23 million students. However, while public school tuition is now free, students in private schools will still need to pay the difference between public school fees and their private school tuition.
A mother from Hanoi explained that while the tuition fee exemption is appreciated, it does little to ease the financial burden, as the total monthly expenses—ranging from $39 to $78—are much higher than the waived fees. This includes costs for meals, drinking water, and voluntary “parental contributions” for school events.
Another Hanoi parent, whose child attends high school, expressed concern over a monthly fee for after-school classes, adding an additional $13 to her already high education costs. This reflects a larger issue in Vietnam, where rising fees at public schools are becoming a significant burden for lower-income families, despite official claims of free education.
Laos: Hidden School Fees for Basic Education
In Laos, while public schooling is officially free, parents report having to pay several unofficial fees. These can include tutoring, textbooks, and contributions for school maintenance and utilities.
A parent from Vientiane shared that during the early years of his child’s education, he paid up to $30 annually for “learning and teaching activities.” Additional monthly tutoring fees of $7 were required for subjects his child struggled with. After relocating to a rural area, he found that fees were lower, but still significant, such as a $3 yearly fee for school maintenance.
In rural areas of Laos, schools often lack sufficient funding for basic needs like restroom repairs and classroom maintenance, forcing schools to ask parents for contributions. This additional financial burden is making it harder for low-income families to afford education, especially in regions where the costs are higher.
Cambodia: Education Costs Continue Despite “Free” Tuition
Although Cambodia guarantees free primary and secondary education by law, many parents find that the costs of schooling, including tutoring, textbooks, and school supplies, remain prohibitively expensive. Families living in poverty often end their children’s education by the 6th grade because they can no longer afford these extra costs.
Soeung Sakona, a mother from Siem Reap, described the daily stress of managing her children’s education. She spends approximately $2.50 daily on each child for fees, transportation, and tutoring. The total annual cost for her children’s education is around $1,000, an amount that forces her to sell land to cover school expenses.
Despite the constitutional guarantee of free education, parents who cannot afford tutoring services often see their children’s education suffer in quality, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to wealthier students.
Myanmar: Additional Fees for “Free” Education
In Myanmar, parents face extra costs at public schools, especially in urban areas. While tuition is nominally free, parents must contribute to school activities, teacher salaries, and school improvements. Annual contributions can range from $23 to $57 for basic supplies, and up to $13 for extracurricular programs like after-school classes.
In rural Myanmar, the situation is different. In many areas, children only have access to primary or middle school education. For high school, students must attend boarding schools in urban areas, which can cost up to $910 annually, including food, accommodation, and tuition.
In some rural schools, the lack of teachers means that parents have to hire city teachers, contributing to their salaries. This additional cost, ranging from $11 to $23 per family, adds another layer of financial strain for rural families trying to keep their children in school.
Conclusion
While Southeast Asian governments advertise “free education,” the reality for many families is that the hidden costs make it difficult for them to afford. Whether it’s through tuition, extra fees for materials and activities, or contributions to school maintenance, the true cost of education can be overwhelming, especially for low-income families. As a result, many students in these countries still face barriers to education, despite the policies that promise it for all.
