Management of private kindergartens will be tightened when new regulations come into effect on August 2.

The new rules come after rapid growth in the sector, which has seen about 1,000 new private kindergartens established in the past three years.

Private kindergartens will now face more stringent measures on requiring legal document confirming their financial situation before being founded. They will also have to pledge that they will use the money for the schools' regular activities only.

The regulations mark the first time that special rules have been drafted specifically for private kindergartens. Previously, private kindergartens fell under general Kindergarten Regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training in 2010.

Phan Thi Lan Anh, deputy director of the ministry's Department of Pre-school Education, said the new rules were drafted as detailed regulations were needed to prevent low-quality kindergartens from being set up.

The new rules will better ensure the rights of children and parents. When collecting money for children's meals, the schools must collect enough for meals only, and not be allowed to make a profit from these fees.

The rules also regulate that rooms for children must ensure at least 1.5sq.m for each child. Dorm rooms must ensure at least 1.2sq.m for each child, and the toilet must be at least 0.4sq.m for each. Banisters must be 1m in height.

Nguyen Thanh Hang, a teacher at Tuoi Hoa Private Kindergarten in Thanh Xuan District, said the regulations were necessary.

"Children's safety will be ensured thanks to the strict regulations, and we will better gain the trust of parents," she said.

However, a principal at a private kindergarten in Cau Giay District who wanted to remain anonymous, said the regulations were too tight and impossible to comply with.

"Spaces for schools are narrow, how can we ensure 1.5sq.m for each student?" she said.

The country now has more than 12,300 kindergartens, and about 50 per cent of them are private ones, according to statistics from the Department of Pre-School Education.

However, only 65 per cent of private kindergartens have official permits to do business, and 35 per cent of them are totally illegal.

At present the number of State kindergartens only meets about 40 per cent of demand for pre-school education, according to the department.

Source: VNS