At the beginning of each school year, the role of the parent-teacher association (PTA) always becomes a hot topic, attracting the attention of many parents and teachers. Does the PTA truly represent the voice of parents and fulfill its role and responsibilities?

The forum on the role of parent associations in schools, organized by the Education section of VietNamNet, aims to listen to opinions, sharing, and contributions from parents, teachers, and anyone interested in the country's education system to develop practical solutions to this issue.

In the article below, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Chuong, former Principal of Loc Phat High School (Bao Loc District, Lam Dong Province ), suggests some solutions to limit the situation of Parent-Teacher Associations overcharging fees and failing to perform their functions properly.

The role of parent-teacher associations (PTAs) has always attracted public attention both within and outside the education sector. Regarding the question of whether or not these associations should exist in schools, many opinions suggest abolishing them immediately, while others share positive and humane activities carried out by PTAs in various classes and schools.

Recently, on the afternoon of October 3rd, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training also issued a statement following numerous suggestions to abolish parent associations to prevent excessive fee collection. According to the Department, the activities of this committee are regulated by Circular 55 of the Ministry of Education and Training. The parent representative committee's nhiệm vụ is to coordinate with teachers in organizing educational activities, assisting students, and preparing the content for parent meetings.

The committee's operating budget comes from voluntary donations and sponsorships. Circular 55 clearly states that the committee is not allowed to collect money unless it is based on the principle of voluntariness or directly serves the committee's activities; committee funds cannot be used to purchase machinery, equipment, or teaching materials for the school, classrooms, or teachers.

With the above regulations, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training believes that schools need to strengthen the dissemination of these regulations so that parents understand them clearly, thereby enabling the committee to fulfill its role and responsibilities.

As an educator with years of experience managing high schools, I've sometimes found myself caught between two conflicting thoughts: "What crime did the Parent-Teacher Association commit that we should abolish it?" or "Should we disband the Parent-Teacher Association?" I'm angry, but I can't let go of my worries. It's hard to deny the "contribution" of the Parent-Teacher Association in connecting parents and acting as a bridge between families and schools... But if the Parent-Teacher Association continues to be merely an "extension" of the principal, especially when imposing all sorts of "voluntary" fees, schools have suffered, are suffering, and will continue to suffer negative consequences.

Specifically, recently, the story of a primary school teacher in Ho Chi Minh City asking parents for donations of laptops, or the parent-teacher association of a high school in Binh Dinh province raising money to buy 7 televisions for 50 million VND, has caused public outrage. In particular, many parents believe that the role and activities of the parent-teacher association do not live up to initial expectations, inadvertently leading to the association being labeled a "money-collecting organization" at the beginning of each school year.

Here, I propose two sets of solutions to help cure the "disease" of excessive school fees.

Combating excessive fees with the 4 Cs

Publicly and transparently disclose all fees on each school's website to all teachers, parents, and students.

The collection of school fees will be rectified through supervision, inspection, and auditing by the education sector, relevant departments and agencies, and local organizations.

There are sanctions for those directly and indirectly involved in excessive fee collection, including: homeroom teachers, heads of parent committees, principals, vice-principals, and accountants. Depending on the severity of the violation, disciplinary measures range from warnings and dismissals to recommendations for criminal prosecution.

The entire political system is involved, considering the fight against excessive fees a crucial task. If excessive school fees occur, the head of the institution will be appropriately disciplined. Previously, in 2023, the Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee also issued a document emphasizing strict penalties for heads of institutions if excessive fees occur, and the responsibility of state education management agencies if such practices occur. With strict enforcement, how can excessive school fees persist? The parent-teacher association will now function properly, eliminating the endless debate about who it represents and whether or not to abolish it.

Long-term solution

We need to strongly develop private schools and financially autonomous public schools. Based on that, there should be one and only one source of revenue in public schools: tuition fees. For other fees, whichever agency or organization collects them, parents should pay them directly.

Public schools located in disadvantaged areas, areas with low quality standards, and specialized schools are fully funded by the State budget according to the principle of "no school is left behind".

Annually, based on the approved education plan, the principal proposes tuition fees for consideration and decision by the competent authority (for public schools in other regions).

Students should strive to attend the type of school that suits them best. Self-learning and lifelong learning should be encouraged. Learners should be given opportunities for good learning, facilitated self-learning, and allowed to learn whenever they have a need (from themselves, their families, etc.).

We need to invest in continuing education and vocational training centers so that these units can effectively support people in their learning needs. Continuing education is essential in a learning society. Eliminating excessive school fees will make schools more standardized and humane, contributing to the creation of studious families and laying the foundation for a strong and sustainable national development.

Parents surprised by the series of class fees when their children transfer from private to public schools. Having diligently prepared his child to pass the entrance exam to a top-tier public high school, Mr. Luu was overwhelmed at the first parent-teacher meeting of the school year when the parent committee announced the fees for the class fund.