Disgusting and expensive

Images of an open letter appealing to parents to support a performance celebrating Teachers' Day on November 20th, costing nearly 22 million VND, are causing controversy in public opinion. Teachers argue that parents spending so much money on Teachers' Day is inappropriate because it is "too offensive and wasteful."

A cultural performance on November 20th, costing 22 million VND, has sparked controversy.

Recently, the Parent-Teacher Association of class 8A1 at Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary School, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, sent an open letter to parents in the class regarding a fundraising campaign for the class's cultural performance celebrating Vietnamese Teachers' Day on November 20th, which caused a stir in public opinion.

This open letter is accompanied by a budget estimate for organizing a folk dance and song performance from a local talent training center.

Specifically, the folk song performance cost 10 million VND for choreography, 5.61 million VND for costume rental, and 6 million VND for food and drinks for 10 members of the performing arts team, along with sports activities. The total cost for this performance is 21.61 million VND.

According to the budget, parents from the talent training center providing the aforementioned service contributed 3 million VND. The remaining budget was 18.61 million VND, and donations were solicited from other parents. Because this budget was deemed too high and inappropriate, the teacher discussed it with the class's Parent Representative Committee, who rejected the proposed amount.

Ms. Lai Thi Bach Huong, Principal of Nguyen Chi Thanh Secondary School, shared that the school did not instruct classes to solicit large donations from parents for cultural performances. The school also requested teachers and the Parent-Teacher Association of each class to consider appropriate methods and not to solicit or collect such large sums of money from parents.

Immediately after the incident was shared, many other parents expressed their outrage, arguing that spending such a large sum on a school performance during a difficult economic period was inappropriate: "My child was in the same situation. For a school performance, we spent over 10 million VND on choreography and costumes. Including drinks, the total cost was over 15 million VND. It's very expensive."

One parent expressed: "We just paid 700,000 VND for the class fund and 200,000 VND for the class uniform, and now the class is asking for another 500,000 VND for a flashmob dance. Many parents agreed, so how can I disagree and risk my child being discriminated against?"

The class fund is causing controversy. Photo: CMH

Previously, a second-grade class at Vo Thi Sau Primary School in Ho Chi Minh City also caused a stir with its parent fund, which was entirely spent on envelopes of money for teachers. On November 20th and five other holidays throughout the year, this class had "envelopes" of money for the homeroom teacher, nanny, and subject teachers, with amounts ranging from 1 to 2.5 million VND.

According to the school's explanation, this was a planned expenditure proposed by the class's parent-teacher association without the approval of the homeroom teacher. The principal explained to the parents that spending money on care and training for teachers and caregivers was against regulations, and requested the parent-teacher association to return the money to the parents who had contributed.

November 20th: Avoid spending too much money as it's inappropriate and wasteful.

Speaking to a reporter from Dan Viet newspaper, Mr. Le Dinh Hien, a teacher at Dong Bac Ga Inter-level School in Thanh Hoa, expressed: "Parents spending a lot of money on November 20th is something that shouldn't be done because it's too inappropriate and wasteful."

According to Mr. Hien, teachers should rest on November 20th instead of participating in competitions, contests, and movements. Furthermore, teachers are also students and need time to visit their teachers. While society honoring and celebrating this day is meaningful and teachers greatly appreciate it, it should be "simple, economical, and practical."

Mr. Pham Quoc Toan, Head of the Natural Sciences Department and Deputy Head of the Professional Committee at Huynh Thuc Khang High School in Hanoi, stated his opinion: "Teachers need students to compete in achieving good grades, showing thoughtfulness through meticulous actions in studying and training, expressing gratitude through encouraging wishes, and participating in the school's general appreciation activities. Celebrations and cultural performances to mark November 20th should be modest and avoid unnecessary expense."

Educator Gian Tu Trung, author of the book "Liberal Pedagogy - The World, Vietnam and Me," said: "For a long time, many Vietnamese people have considered November 20th a special holiday, 'Teachers' Day.' We take it for granted that it is a day to honor teachers, and teachers happily accept that honor, forgetting that this day was originally established not just to honor, or not solely to honor."

"This day reminds teachers of their sacred mission, it reminds them of the struggle they have undertaken, are undertaking, and will continue to undertake to win the right to teach, the freedom to fulfill their sacred mission."

According to Mr. Trung, while social recognition can be a source of joy for those in the teaching profession, it also places immense pressure and responsibility on conscientious educators.

They understand that honor comes with more demanding requirements, especially since the teaching profession has recently been viewed disrespectfully by some in society due to a series of "rotten apples" (individuals who tarnish the reputation of the profession). For them, receiving honor without contributing anything to society is shameful.

In today's era, the significance of November 20th goes beyond simply establishing and honoring the teaching profession. It takes on even greater meaning if it serves as a day for educators to reflect on and re-evaluate their work and profession, as well as redefine the role and mission of the profession towards students and society in the new context.

Source: https://danviet.vn/tu-vu-keu-goi-phu-huynh-gop-gan-22-trieu-dong-mung-van-nghe-ngay-20-11-gay-tranh-cai-phan-cam-va-ton-kem-20241105110008574.htm