How to collect and spend funds transparently and reasonably in schools?

The new school year has just begun, along with the joy of the first day of school, many parents are facing familiar worries: class fund, school fund and a series of other fees. Although the education sector has repeatedly emphasized "not to let the situation of overcharging happen again", in reality there are still many reports of lack of transparency in revenue and expenditure, causing financial and psychological pressure for students' families.

Parents' concerns

Many parents affirmed that they are willing to contribute, but what they need is clarity, transparency and reasonableness. Ms. Thien Bao frankly said: "If we don't collect fees, the class will not have activities. With reasonable and transparent fees such as support for disadvantaged students, health insurance, uniforms, rewards... parents are willing to support."

The new school year begins and parents face a series of concerns about fund contributions and transparency in revenue and expenditure.

However, in reality, for many families, there are some fees that are beyond their means. A parent whose child attends a central elementary school said: “At the parent-teacher meeting at the beginning of the year, the first semester fee is one million VND, the second semester fee is a few hundred more, and the whole year fee is nearly two million VND. This is really beyond the means of many families.” Ms. Hoang Kim Vy shared: “Although they say they don’t charge fees, my child’s school still charges 300,000 VND for 8th grade and 200,000 VND for 5th grade.”

In addition to the class fund, there are other "sensitive" expenses such as sanitation, drinking water, air conditioner rental, roofing, and even a section for maintaining the school's fish pond and private medical examination fees even though students have health insurance. Mr. Nguyen Trung calculated: "In a class of 47 students, each student pays 80,000 VND/month for electricity, or nearly 4 million VND/month for an air-conditioned room. How is that money spent, what is it spent on, and is it reasonable?"

Ms. Yen Nhi disagreed when there was a case: "The class fund of 1.5 million is used to buy a TV, paint the classroom, clean, install a roof... If anyone does not pay, their child will be named in front of the class." Parent Huong Giang asked: "STEM in this district is 90,000 VND/month, while in another district it is 230,000 VND. Why is the same subject priced differently in each place? What is correct and reasonable?"

What worries many people is not only the amount of money, but also the lack of transparency and lack of voluntariness. Ms. Vo Tran Phuong Thanh shared: “Every time there is a parent meeting, I am nervous. The rich parent committee makes a scene, while many poor people cannot afford it.”

Even teachers admit the shortcomings. An anonymous teacher said: “The class fund only needs 200,000 VND/year to cover photocopying documents and some movement activities. If we arrange parties and shopping, teachers will end up with more work, and in many cases, we will have to pay out of pocket.”

Transparent and reasonable ways

While many places are still concerned, Nguyen Van Luong Secondary School (Binh Phu Ward) is a typical example with a transparent approach, without overcharging. Over the past 8 years, the school has not collected any parent fund, nor called for sponsorship. All activities are balanced from the State budget and other legal sources of income. Notably, at the end of the year, the school still has a surplus to supplement teachers' income.

Binh Phu Secondary School has received a lot of support from parents as it has not collected any fund contributions for the past 8 years.

Parent Tran Thuy affirmed: “My child has studied here for 3 years and has not paid any fund. The school has been doing this for many years, it is worthy for other places to follow.” Ms. Tran Khuyen added: “The school does not accept flowers or cakes on the occasion of the opening ceremony, November 20. These funds are converted into health insurance cards for disadvantaged students. The kitchen is open for parents to supervise at any time. The principal and the school board are very dedicated.”

According to the experience of Ms. Phan Thi Dinh, who has been the head of the parents' association for many years: "If it is voluntary, then it cannot be called for equally. Those who have the means can contribute, those who do not can not. Absolutely do not spend money on teachers, do not overdo the repair of schools. The representative association should only act as a bridge, protecting the rights of students."

Many parents also acknowledge that if the class fund is public and democratic, it will still have a positive meaning. Ms. Nguyen Kim Ngan said: "When transparent, the fund is no longer a burden but a joint effort for the children."

On September 19, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training also issued a corrective document: Schools are only allowed to collect tuition fees in accordance with the tuition policy, exemptions and reductions according to Decree 238/2025/ND-CP, and cannot set additional fees outside of the regulations. The Parent Representative Board is only allowed to use funds for its own activities, and is not allowed to purchase or reward teachers. Fundraising must be planned, approved, and guaranteed to be voluntary and public.

The Department also requested local People's Committees to closely monitor and handle the responsibility of leaders if overcharging occurs; at the same time, encourage schools to organize dialogues with parents to create consensus.

Some parents suggested more detailed regulations. Ms. Nguyet Thu suggested: "The Department should clearly stipulate what fees are collected so that parents can understand and avoid ambiguity." Parent Thuy Pham emphasized: "It is necessary to publicize both the hotline and email for people to report. Only then can we hope to end the problem of overcharging."

In reality, parents are willing to accompany if the revenue and expenditure are transparent, public and put the interests of students first. When the school is public, the parent committee plays its role properly, parents agree and the management agency strengthens supervision, the class fund and school fund will no longer be a concern at the beginning of the year but will become a sharing and connection in the learning journey of students.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/giao-duc/lam-the-nao-de-thu-chi-quy-minh-bach-hop-ly-trong-truong-hoc-20250923115647700.htm