TP - Many people believe that "parent-teacher associations" or "parent committees" were created primarily to collect various funds, and therefore should be abolished. However, in reality, there are still many dedicated parents who carefully dedicate their time to caring for and supporting the activities of the school and class.
Ms. Nguyen Minh Thuy, whose child is starting first grade this year at a private school in Cau Giay district ( Hanoi ), said that despite her busy work schedule, she doesn't have time to help decorate and organize the classroom for her child, but many other parents are very enthusiastic. Some eagerly arrive early and leave late to take care of the logistics, from cleaning desks and chairs, arranging flowers and plants, setting up wooden cabinets, creating a classroom library, to buying food for the students and gifts for the homeroom teacher at the beginning of the year. "I am touched by the dedication and thoughtfulness of some parents because they have put in the time and effort to take care of the class's activities," Ms. Thuy said.
However, what displeased Ms. Thuy was that at the parent-teacher meeting held at the beginning of the school year, after the parent committee was elected, those same members presented a budget for the school year with a very large sum of money, amounting to over 100 million VND per school year, meaning each student would have to pay 2 million VND per semester. Meanwhile, the homeroom teacher announced that the school's policy was to collect class funds on a voluntary basis, not on a lump-sum basis.
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A student fair at a school in Hanoi was organized with the help of the students' parents. |
Some parents expressed their dissatisfaction when, just days after the start of the school year, the "parents' committee" announced that the homeroom teacher was opening an extra-curricular class and asked parents to register. These same parents, during a parent-teacher meeting, stood up and requested the teacher to open the class because many parents wanted it, without having been asked for their opinion beforehand. "Where and how to enroll in extra classes is a matter of individual parent's needs and desires. I don't want the 'parents' committee' to be an extension of the homeroom teacher forcing students to attend," this parent said.
To prevent excessive fees, the Ministry of Education and Training also prohibits "parent-teacher associations" from collecting donations from students for the following purposes: protecting school facilities; supervising students' transportation; cleaning classrooms and the school; rewarding school administrators, teachers, and staff; purchasing machinery, equipment, and teaching materials for the school, classrooms, or for school administrators, teachers, and staff; supporting management, teaching organization, and educational activities; and repairing, upgrading, or constructing new school facilities.
During the parent-teacher meeting at the beginning of the school year, some argued that the class's "parents' committee" should be doing everything the school should be doing, from fixing TVs, light bulbs, window curtains, teacher's desks and cabinets to classroom doors... Even in some classes without air conditioning, parents have to be asked to contribute financially.
Ms. Tran Thi Hong Quyen, who has served as the head of the "parents' representative committee" at a primary school for many years, revealed that last year, her child completed the 5th grade program and was about to move on to the 6th grade. Before the end of the school year, all parents agreed to leave all the equipment in the classroom for the next grade, including: hot and cold water dispensers, air conditioners, teacher's cabinets, etc. However, after consulting with various sources, they were told that parents of 5th graders should dispose of all the aforementioned equipment so that the younger students could use new equipment next year. "We had good intentions to give it to the next graders, but it's not something we can just do whenever we want," Ms. Quyen said.
Avoid abuse and unauthorized collection of fees.
The Ministry of Education and Training has issued a Circular on the Regulations of the Parent-Teacher Association, stipulating that each class has a "parent-teacher association" consisting of 3 to 5 members responsible for coordinating with teachers and the school to carry out educational activities for students. The parent-teacher association is also given many tasks and powers in coordinating activities, proposing commendations, and disciplining students… Regarding operating funds, the Ministry of Education and Training clearly states: "The operating funds of the class parent-teacher association are obtained from voluntary contributions from parents and other legitimate sources of funding. There is no prescribed average contribution amount."
In fact, many believe that the "parent-teacher association" is primarily established to collect money and handle external relations. Looking at the expenditure list for school year activities, it's clear that very little is spent on student activities, while the majority is spent on "external relations," holidays for staff and teachers, repairs, and purchasing classroom equipment.
On a forum called "Hanoi Parents' Association," a member raised the issue that the Ministry of Education and Training should prohibit schools from establishing parent committees at the school and class levels. This is because shared activities such as birthdays, Mid-Autumn Festival, and holidays can be organized jointly by teachers and students, with each child contributing to a learning-through-activity experience. Similarly, for the Mid-Autumn Festival, individual classes don't need separate decorations; the entire school could decorate a common area for students to enjoy.
Associate Professor Tran Xuan Nhi, former Deputy Minister of Education and Training, believes that schools and classes need "parent-teacher associations" because schools, families, and society must work together in the task of education. With dozens of students in each class, a single teacher cannot inform each student individually, so the "parent-teacher association" should closely coordinate to update and exchange information with other parents. When incidents or situations occur, the school and teachers will also discuss and seek input from the "parent-teacher association." However, this association must fulfill its functions and duties correctly and should not collect money or create various funds. "If the fees are in accordance with regulations, the school has an accountant to collect them. If fees are not in accordance with regulations, the parent-teacher association should not abuse its authority to collect them. Some places requesting contributions from parents is incorrect. This excessive collection must be eliminated," Associate Professor Nhi said.
Source: https://tienphong.vn/tranh-cai-chuyen-giai-tan-ban-phu-huynh-post1675885.tpo
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