Ninth-grade students at Huynh Khuong Ninh Secondary School in HCM City’s District 1. (Photo: VNA)

Around 19,000 students unable to get admission to public high schools will have to enroll in private high schools, vocational education centres or centres for continuing education.

More than 109,000 ninth-grade students would graduate secondary schools this year, said Le Hoai Nam, deputy director of the department.

More than 96,000 students registered to take the 10th-grade entrance exam for public schools and the remaining 13,000 students opted to not take the exam and seek admission to centres for continuing education, vocational training schools or study abroad, Nam said.

Only 70% of graduates from secondary schools would attend public high schools in the 2023-2024 school year, he said.

The entrance exam for public schools is slated to take place from June 6-7.

Private high schools, vocational education schools and centres for continuing education will offer a total of 51,000 seats for 10th-grade students in the 2023-2024 school year.

Ngo Thoi Nhiem High School in Thu Duc city announced the highest enrollment quota among private high schools in the city with 1,310 seats.

Tuong Nguyen Su, principal of the school, said it received admission of students nationwide without taking 10th-grade entrance exam.

However, rising tuition fees at private high schools are the major concern for students who fail to enter public high schools, which offer affordable tuition fees.

Most private high schools announced an increase of 600,000-1 million VND (25-42 USD) in monthly tuition fees.

Private high schools will receive online applications from July 3 to August 25.