Principal has not collected money from parents for 8 years: 'I don't want teachers involved in money matters'

Journalist: Mr. Dinh Phu Cuong, the collection and disbursement at the beginning of the school year is a sensitive issue, causing a stir on social networks. Nguyen Van Luong Secondary School did not collect funds from parents during the 8 years you were principal, why did you make this decision?

- Mr. Dinh Phu Cuong: If we look at it fairly, the Ministry of Education and Training allows the Parents' Representative Board to mobilize funds (according to Circular 55) and schools are allowed to receive sponsorship (according to Circular 16). However, Circular 55 clearly stipulates: The Parents' Fund is only used for the administrative activities of the representative board, not for purchasing facilities or spending on teachers or educational activities.

Based on that principle, we discussed with teachers and the Parents' Association and agreed not to mobilize or use this fund. Some parents asked: "How does the Parents' Association operate without money?". We explained that everything is still going on as usual. The Parents' Association coordinates with teachers and the school board to organize activities, without necessarily needing money.

Furthermore, if money is misused, it will lose credibility with parents. Therefore, for many years now, the school has not collected any scholarship or sponsorship funds. We use the allocated budget to organize all activities, although it is not much, but it is enough, as long as we "cut our coat according to our cloth". We manage according to the principle of "use what you have", ensuring that students can fully participate in activities like other schools.

Regarding parent support, the school encourages parents to support whatever they can, not to mobilize in general. We also connect with parents who are professionals such as lawyers, police officers, and doctors to support programs such as traffic safety propaganda, drug prevention, school violence, nutrition counseling, or psychology. Parents are very happy to share, and this is the way the school has socialized education for many years.

- When many schools across the country are noisy about revenue and expenditure, parent funds, your school is able to "let go" like that, what do you think?

Actually, it is very difficult to spend money from parents, because we have to ensure that it is spent for the right purpose and transparently. The legal documents have clear regulations, but when there is money, it is easy to "spend it". When we decided not to collect it, it was very difficult at first, especially with the mentality of the Parents' Representative Board. But after 1-2 years, they accompanied the school and saw that the activities for students still took place fully, even more. They realized that with or without funding, they could still do well.

The first parent-teacher meetings at schools always have the mentality that in order to collect money, our teachers do not have to deal with money. The teachers' job is to teach, I do not want them to have to deal with money. The first meetings of the year now only revolve around studying, diligence and discipline, not discussing money. The meetings become light-hearted, the relationship between teachers and parents is fair: Teachers teach, parents cooperate in picking up and dropping off their children and supporting their children to study well.

- How do you "cut your coat according to your cloth" in the school when you don't collect funds, solicit sponsorships or engage in social activities?

Regarding the word “enough”, the school knows how to measure the state budget, using it for regular expenses, repairing facilities and educational activities. In addition, Ho Chi Minh City allows collecting fees such as joint teaching, English enhancement… and fees approved by the City People’s Council.

We collect these fees and also deduct a portion of the revenue from partners to reinvest in facilities and spend on educational activities. For example, in the integrated program, partners deduct a portion of the budget, which the school uses to upgrade facilities and support student activities. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that there is no fund to limit activities. The Pedagogical Council must know how to weigh and manage the revenue sources and allocated budget.

Regarding the repair of facilities, the school will prepare a document to send to the management for review if needed; if urgent, the funding will almost certainly be approved. Recently, the city and the People's Committee of District 6 supported us with a part of the 18 billion VND to repair the school. The important thing is that the principal must clearly define the content and present it convincingly so that the leadership can support it.

- When caught up in the scandal of overcharging, many schools push the responsibility onto the parent committee. In your opinion, what is the role of the principal to avoid money scandals?

The principal is the leader, must take full responsibility, cannot say "I don't know anything". To control and guide parents' activities, propaganda work is very important. I signed an official dispatch requesting classes not to collect illegal fees and widely disseminated it to parents. When they know there is a directive from the principal, they certainly will not dare to do it. In addition, the principal must also regularly inform the teaching staff, so that teachers clearly understand the school's policies and directives.

- It can be said that your school is a pioneer in not collecting fees. Do you feel lonely?

8 years ago, when we started not collecting funds, the Department of Education and Training of District 6 inspected and was quite surprised. Later, in many meetings, my school was used as a typical example of not collecting funds but still operating effectively. Some principals asked how to do it, I explained clearly, some schools applied it successfully, some schools were still a bit mechanical.

I believe many schools still do so quietly.

Personally, I find this normal, because it has become a habit. Once, someone asked me: “When you do that, you must feel pressured, like you are on your own?”. Actually, I find it completely normal.

- I was surprised to see that your room is always open, students can freely come in and talk during recess. Why did you choose this method and what do students and parents usually share with you?

Our administration office is always open to visitors, teachers, parents and students at any time, except when in a meeting. This way, any problems can be solved immediately, without any backlog. Students can just come straight to my office, anytime.

They told me all sorts of stories - from school to thoughts and feelings. Some students showed off their joys, some showed up when they were sad. Recently, a 9th grader was sad because her family was broken, her parents were divorced, and her father was a gambler, so she cut herself. Her friend found out and brought her to my room. I sat down and talked to her, encouraged her, and gave her advice to calm down and prevent things from getting worse.

We always deal with it as soon as we find out, putting the safety and mental health of students first. At my school, the board of directors, teachers and students have no distance. During recess, we often walk the hallways, observe, listen, and immediately resolve any problems that arise. Students and parents are always our number one priority.

- 15 years as principal, how stressful is this job for you?

The first difficulty is to know how to balance and manage finances, while the principal is an amateur in this field. Our school is a national standard school, so the biggest pressure is to maintain quality and learning discipline. To do that, finance is very important. No matter what, without money, it is difficult to do anything. Therefore, the principal must think, calculate, and save so that the school can maintain good operations without overcharging.

After Covid-19, economic life became more difficult, we discussed in the pedagogical council and agreed to reduce joint teaching activities to reduce the burden on parents. Of course, the school still maintains some classes such as international computer science or some other programs, but it is completely voluntary. There are students who only pay 10,000 VND per month for drinking water if they do not study at boarding school. Boarding students pay about 1 to 1.3 million VND/month. Many parents are surprised when they hold the school fee notice because it is so little.

The second pressure is the relationship between teachers, parents and students. There are many problems in today's society that sometimes cause this relationship to be questioned. I always remind teachers to build good relationships with parents, treat students fairly, and educate students with love. Don't force them to the point of rebelling against us. Teach with your heart. When you feel helpless, bring the students to me, and I will work with the teachers to educate them.

I always think that if we let go of them and push them out into society, it will be very difficult. A “defective product” of the school when it is born will be a burden to society, so no matter how difficult it is, we must not let go.

- Teachers teach students, students learn from teachers, but when interacting and living with them, what do you learn? In your opinion, what difficulties are teachers facing today? How do you keep the passion for your profession alive, especially when November 20 is approaching?

After decades of teaching and more than 20 years of management, I have learned one thing - be a friend to your students. When you become their friend, you will share their joys and sorrows. Students today are very sensitive, but also very intelligent. If the teacher or manager does not accompany or listen, but only stands in the position of "the one giving orders", it will create a distance. At that time, the students will see the teacher as a stranger, unable to share their joys and sorrows.

I always believe that if a teacher is close and sympathetic (not easygoing), he will learn a lot from his students. When they speak, the teacher must listen to know how to promote good students and reform bad students. Punishment or warning only makes students leave the teacher's arms, while love and respect are what keep them.

Talking about “teachers” today, I think we are not only the ferrymen but also the ones who lift the boat. Students today can access a wide range of knowledge thanks to the Internet, so if teachers do not self-study and do not innovate, it is easy to fall behind and lose the passion for the profession. On the podium, in addition to knowledge, teachers need to have methods, psychology and heart - they cannot teach like a machine.

As for me, I keep the passion of my profession alive by being close to my students. When society sometimes has a harsh view on education, it is my attachment to my students that helps me understand what they need and continue to love my job. I only hope that parents, students and society will accompany the school and teachers in caring for and educating the children.

Gifts and wishes on November 20 are precious, but to me, the most meaningful is the companionship of parents and students throughout the school year.

Content : Le Huyen; Photo: Phuoc Sang; Design: Minh Hoa

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/hieu-truong-8-nam-khong-thu-quy-phu-huynh-toi-di-mot-duong-nhung-khong-co-don-2463234.html